Listen up Kaua‘i. There is a new jazz band in town. Brought to you by Live Music Kaua‘i, the name of the band is called Kaua‘i Pro-Am Show Band. This show band made its debut during the last day of
Listen up Kaua‘i. There is a new jazz band in town. Brought to you by Live Music Kaua‘i, the name of the band is called Kaua‘i Pro-Am Show Band.
This show band made its debut during the last day of the coconut festival in Kapa‘a. They performed arrangements from the libraries of Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton and many others.
There are two aspects of the band: the pro side (professional) and the am side (amateur). The professional element of the band is the band itself; a 15-piece jazz big band that is comprised of some of the top musicians on the island. On the other side of the spectrum, the amateur component is a teaching and mentoring program that gives students the opportunity to play alongside and learn this style of music from professional caliber musicians.
Kaua‘i Times was able to touch base with band members Marty Leonard and Wayne Daniels. You might remember Leonard from a previous tunes article.
Leonard and Daniels got together and decided to try out something that Daniels ran in Florida: A show band that performs and educates.
Daniels said that while living in South Florida, he noticed rehearsal bands playing for fun and decided to join in.
“I have played with many of them in those situations and that is how I got better, though experience,” Daniels said. “Playing next to them was the best way to improve.”
Since Daniels was a trumpet instructor in a local high school, and since he acquired a great deal of experience learning from rehearsal bands, he decided to invite student band players from neighboring high schools and have them play alongside some of his friends who were well versed in music.
“I had all the music, all my friends willing to play and help for the sheer fun of it, and the students were so excited to have a unique opportunity,” Daniels said. “That is, to learn how to perform music at the professional level. It was called the Palm Beach County Pro/Am Big Band.”
Unfortunately, because of a lack of funds and sponsorships, the Palm Beach County Pro/Am Big Band ended.
“We were rehearsing regularly, and performing quite often,” Daniels said. “Despite reaching out to many companies with such a budget on a national level, and having many signed letters from all the local school band directors, a congressmen, and many local businesses there was none to be had.”
Ten years later and a move to Hawai‘i, Daniels met up with Live Music Kaua‘i’s own Marty Leonard. The two struck chords instantly.
“I met Marty though his website looking for opportunities just to play again,” Daniels said. “I found a wealth of very talented musicians. Not the quantity of South Florida but the quality was amazing. Marty and I had a conversation on what I did before and looked into the possibility of trying it here as Live Music Kaua‘i is already a non-profit corporation.”
Leonard and Daniels then invited some of Kaua‘i’s best musicians to come out and play with them.
“There is no other opportunity around to play music on such a professional level here anywhere,” Daniels said.
And so, Kaua‘i Pro-Am Show Band was born. All the players in the band are local music educators and professionals with a plethora of musical experience. It is this musical experience that will enhance the quality of learning for new recruits.
“The plan for now is to perform more for exposure and recruit qualified students that want to learn by doing,” Daniels said. “That is exactly how I became the player I was and I enjoyed the journey.”
Daniels said students and new recruits will learn through performing.
“There is a band camp available each summer through Live Music Kaua‘i to island students that is taught by many of the same players in the band, including Marty and myself,” Daniels said. “My main focus is to teach motivated students, acquire substantial funding for the band … and for all to have fun, and that includes the audience.”
Make sure to be on the lookout for the Kaua‘i Pro-Am Show Band. They have a sound that is jovial and will have you dancing. Visit https://livemusickauai.org For more information on the show band.
