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Event
Makana - Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
Universal Preservation Hall located at 25 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs, presents Hawaiian Slack Key master Makana on October 1 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Advance tickets available at 1-800-838-3006.
Virtuosic and versatile, Makana's mastery of slack key guitar open tunings and his naturally engaging voice come together on an exhilarating ride through the breadth of slack key, folk, rock, bluegrass, ethnic, jazz, & more. His distinctly original songs are infused with the spirit of Hawai'i, a moving spectrum of cultural, lyrical, and musical styles. Says Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist for Metallica, "I've been deep into classical music and Hawaiian slack-key guitar. I've gotten way into Andres Segovia, and this Hawaiian guitar player called Makana."
Makana has performed with or opened for: Santana, Sting, Elvis Costello, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, No Doubt, Chris Isaak, Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Richard Thompson, and Michael Franti.
The March 1, 2003, Esquire Magazine notes, "Makana is considered the greatest living player" of Slack Key Guitar. Many others agree. In April of 2009, The National Geographic Society (NGS) presented Makana in concert and the event was recorded for the NGS Music Channel series "Geo Sessions". On their Web site, the NGS wrote, "With five albums to his credit [now 6], he has taken this centuries-old tradition and blasted it into the 21st century, fusing it with influences from Bob Marley to the Smashing Pumpkins, and opening for Sting and Santana. See why this young guitar hero is poised to break out." In September of 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle said, "His transfixingly agile slack-key technique and genre-crossing music have relit a fire for live music in Waikiki." With such accolades, its hard to believe that Makana is only 31.
Early on, Makana was recognized as a child prodigy and he studied with Hawai'i slack key legends Raymond Kane and Sonny Chillingworth. He began performing professionally at Honolulu's Duke's Canoe Club at age 15 and has since produced his own shows in many of Hawaiis other significant venues.
A prolific songwriter, Makana's audiences run the gamut of age and ethnicity and he enjoys a particularly strong following. He has contributed songs to two Grammy-nominated albums, "Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Volumes I & II".
Makana has toured the world numerous times with regular appearances on the Mainland United States. In 2004 he opened a 27-city tour for Billboard Top Pop Artist Jason Mraz. Makana's April 2009, New York City solo concert earned a strong New York Times review: "Makana provided a textbook illustration of slack-key style dazzling." In Germany and again solo, he opened for three Santana concerts performing for audiences as large as 12,000 in world-class venues including Frankfurt's Opera Platz.
Makana has also performed at world-class mega festivals. In 2001, he was the only solo artist to headline the main stage at the WOMAD Festival (World of Music, Arts and Dance) in Reading, England. The BBC wrote, "one-man Hawaiian band Makana captivated the audience with a high voice, personal songs and powerful acoustic guitar."
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LocationUniversal Preservation Hall
25 Washington Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
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