Seven nights a week you can find live jazz being played on the island by world-class musicians. Bass player Randy Carnevali has been playing jazz on Kaua‘i for over 10 years — most consistently at Hanalei Bay Resort’s Jazz Jam
Seven nights a week you can find live jazz being played on the island by world-class musicians.
Bass player Randy Carnevali has been playing jazz on Kaua‘i for over 10 years — most consistently at Hanalei Bay Resort’s Jazz Jam Sundays.
When asked the name of his band, Carnevali scratched his beard, “Hum, I think we’re calling ourselves ‘Area 51’ — you know, after the alien territory in Nevada.”
Carnevali’s band has been playing together at HBR on Sundays for 10 years now. “I don’t think we’ve had a practice once,” he laughed.
In the decade Carnevali has jammed at HBR, he says, it’s not uncommon for famous players to show up for a session. “Last weekend I played with Taj Majal and Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead drummer)” he said.
“On any given Sunday world class players can drop in,” said Carnavali. “When players come to the island, this is where they look us up.”
HBR receptionist Colleen Nuuhiwa-Rogers said, “You better get here by 4 even though the music starts at 4:30. It gets so packed every Sunday.”
Nuuhiwa-Rogers attributes the success of jazz jam Sundays to Carnevali’s band. “They’ve drawn the crowd — everybody asks about them.”
While the scheduled gig is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Nuuhiwa-Rogers said, “They’re ‘supposed’ to end but the crowds keeps them going.”
While guest musicians are welcome to join in on the sessions, the veterans appreciate talent. “We build up to a certain level and want to keep it there,” Carnevali said. “This kind of jamming isn’t for just anyone.”
What Carnevali is referring to is the improvisation that jazz is noted for.
Another well-known jazz musician, horn player Steve Dubey, described improv this way. “All jazz is blues based. The difference between jazz and classical musicians is the ability to improvise — the ability to compose on the spot. The harmonic progression is the canvas you paint on.”
When it comes to improvising over a motif, Carnevali said, “There’s a form that is established at the first. It never changes. Musicians just play over it. But, you always return to the form and still have to know where you are.”
Carnevali adds, “In practice you think. In performance you feel.”
Sundays have just gotten better according to Carnevali. “Now there’s Polynesia Cafe Sunday nights (from 7 to 9 p.m.).”
Two months ago Polynesia Cafe added jazz to their entertainment schedule. “We have live music every night,” said cafe owner Thames Goodwin. “I’m trying to promote live, local music. I want to give locals more options.”
Polynesia Cafe features Tony Lehoven’s band, “Jazz Bug” with musicians Darryl Miyashita and Eddie Sitzler on drums.
Another consistent venue for jazz on the island is at Stevenson’s Library in the Grand Hyatt, Po‘ipu, with seven nights of live jazz. While HBR is a jam session, Stevenson’s offers a more refined experience.
Carnevali plays at Stevenson’s Tuesday and Wednesday. “The Hyatt’s not a jam session, although occasionally someone might join in.”
In the 26 years Dubey has been playing on the island he’s seen a steady rise in places to go hear jazz. “There used to be just a few places to play — HBR jazz jam sessions on Sunday afternoons is traditionally one of the places musicians could get together to play. From there it’s branched out.”
Dubey’s regular gig is Stevenson’s Library where he plays with his band “Office Hours” on Sunday and Monday. Jazz at Stevenson’s is from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. “But when things are hopping, we’ll play longer — it depends on the crowd,” said Dubey.
“Listening to a good jazz band will bring up all kinds of emotion,” Dubey said. “Jazz can be tender or forceful. It’s been referred to as a classically American art form.”
Dubey went on to explain. “The African American roots of jazz have translated into classical instruments like marching bands, piano, upright bass — or modern, like piano, guitar, sax, trombone and violin.”
On Kaua‘i most jazz venues are in restaurants. For more of a lounge appeal though, check out Stevenson’s, named for the Scottish novelist and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson. Hyatt public relations manager Diann Hartman touts not only the excellence of the music, but also the varied layout of the space. “We have two pool tables, or you can sit on a sofa in a circle of friends,” said Hartman.
Another venue for both jazz and blues will open on the Eastside next week, on Thursday. Trees Lounge is not named for the climbing kind, but “tree” as in “Brah, I tell you tree times.” Trees Lounge is right behind Coconut Market Place in Kapa‘a where Jolly Roger used to be.
What the “tree” stands for is how many cultures are represented on the menu: Jamaican, New Orleans and Hawaiian cuisine served pupu style. Trees Lounge intends to serve up the authentic flavors and sounds of Jamaica, New Orleans and Hawai‘i in a swank lounge feel.
“The plan is to have Monday night blues and jazz on Tuesday and Wednesday,” said owner Mark Myers.
To support live music on Kaua‘i doesn’t even have to set you back. “The great thing is that with all the jazz venues here, none of them have a cover charge,” said Dubey.
Need a live jazz fix?
4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Sundays
Hanalei Bay Resort
7 to 9 p.m., Sundays
Polynesia Cafe, Kapa‘a
8 to 10 p.m., every night,
Stevenson’s Library
Grand Hyatt, Po‘ipu
7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Fridays
Shaka Tacos, Kapa‘a
8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays
Shutters at the Hilton, Nukoli‘i
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
