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Greetings!
I arose this morning to
CBS' SUNDAY
MORNING, but could not keep my attention on it.
Instead, I sat in the sitting room, flipping through the album I had
pulled off the shelf last night before I went to bed.
My eyes lingered on Nani's
joyful face with her laughing, sparkling eyes.
Our friendship may be
only six years old, but in that time, we have shared peak
experiences and friendships with each other and our spouses... and
IZ, Uncle Charlie, and others in our far-flung circle of
friends.
All together, the hours we've
actually spent physically together adds up to less than a week, yet our hearts
are solidly connected. We maintain that connection in spite of our time and
space separation. Besides our
first meeting in Honolulu, we've alternated visits between their homes
-- their charming house in Marin then their historic Eichler
house -- and ours.
Wherever we are, we've
felt right at home with each other, breathing freely, climbing hills
and valleys, walking through tall woods and across meadows, and
basking in the sunshine. The guys play their `ukulele and sing their heads off, while we gals
speak of heart and spirit matters and artsy things (Nani is a fine
painter).
Our last visit together,
they met my mom and
step-dad, and we met his dad, Tommy, right here in the mountains.
We gathered around the dining room table downstairs to a full-on,
sit-down laulau,
lomi salmon, and poi luncheon.
This
year, in April, we visited their favorite vacation spot, Carmel, where they
spend their holidays, just south of the Bay Area, and they visited
Kealakekua Bay, our favorite spot on our home island.
What happy memories of
golden days...
~~~
We returned to the
flatlands, once again earlier than usual.
A month ago in April, we
crossed paths with a gifted older gentleman at George Kahumoku's
guitar workshop and concert at Claremont's Folk
Music Center. While DH attended the workshop, I
unobtrusively sat in the back of the "classroom,"
ostensibly reading a book, but mainly observing the buzz of activity
in that room.
George Kahumoku & DH
I caught the smile and
nod of this man. He, too, hung out in the back of the classroom, observing the goings-on. He was in his 70s -- or
so I thought at the time -- nattily dressed in a leather jacket and
spiffy red boots.
During George's intimate
and wonderful concert, this mystery man was introduced to the
audience with great respect by George as Bill Tapia. Joining George
under the limelight for a couple of numbers on the `ukulele,
specifically the Fluke Uke that DH had just received, Bill
Tapia captivated and intrigued us with his prodigious
gifts.
This amazing man, with
fingers flying, played one mean jazz
`ukulele.
Bill meets Bill (DH)
After the show, Bill met
Bill.*
*
My husband's middle name is Bill. Bill. Just plain
Bill. Not William. Pila in Hawaiian.
~~~
Last night, we attended a
dinner and a concert featuring a Hawaiian Jazz Musician... Bill Tapia
& The Resophonics and guests (Janet Klein, King Kukulele,
hapa-haole hula dancers) at Steven's Steak & Seafood House in
the city of Commerce, produced by Alyssa
Archambault (P.O. Box 91653, Long Beach, CA 90809, 323/
547-3482).
As we learned from the
program:
"With
a performing career spanning 84+ years, Bill "Tappy"
Tapia just might have the longest history of any Hawaiian
Jazz musician working today. Born in Honolulu, New
Year's Day 1908, he first learned `ukulele at age 7.
By 10, he was
playing USO shows for World War I troops stationed on O`ahu.
At 12, he became an entertainer in vaudeville and later on
cruise ships, where he became known for playing the `ukulele
behind his head!
Eventually
settling in San Francisco in the early 1940s, Bill continued
to entertain and teach out of his home. Along with his
wife, Barbie, they raised their only child, Cleo.
Bill Tapia, Barbie & Cleo
For
the last many years the couple kept a low profile and four
years ago, moved to Southern California to be closer to
their three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
In September
2001, Bill was introduced to a group of young musicians
playing Hawaiian Jazz in the old style he helped to pioneer,
The Resophonics. Impressed with their passion to
continue the Hawaiian Jazz tradition, Bill decided to take
the young enthusiastic trio under his wing and give them the
opportunity to gain the knowledge of how it used to be
played.
Unlike Jazz,
Hawaiian music in the early 1900s was almost forgotten and
not well documented as a major influence in the evolution of
American music.
Tonight in this
rare collaboration, Bill Tapia and the Resophonics along
with several friends will share a few of the Hawaiian and
Jazz selections from the 20th century with two of the most
musical traditions in the world."
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He is also the oldest
Hawaiian musician with a recording contract, and we made sure we
purchased his recent release, Introducing Bill Tapia with The
Resophonics: Limited Edition 2002:
We were seated at a
table with enthusiastic `ukulele aficionados: Marilyn
and David; Fudge (Fujiko) and Burt, and John and Beth. A
generous dinner, arranged by Jim
Duron of the Oasis
Ukulele Strummers), was much enjoyed, as we listened to the
strains of Bill's and The Resophonics' music.
Dinner Menu
10 oz. Top Sirloin
Steak
Chicken
Mixed Green Salad
Vegetables du Jour
Rolls & Butter
Cheesecake
Coffee ~ Tea ~ Open Bar
Bill Tapia & Very Special Guests
We were awed, honored
and feeling so very fortunate to be in the presence of living
Hawaiian music and jazz history. Bill Tapia's musical talent, sense of humor, and incredible
manual dexterity are intact at 94 years young.
Bill Tapia
The collaboration was
superb, and the concert, outstanding. Bill Tapia and The Resophonics
received a standing ovation from a most appreciative
audience. We all recognized what was an honor it was to have
directly experienced the musicianry and artistry of this
living treasure and legend.
We hear Bill Tapia is also quite
the storyteller, and we can't wait to hear his stories, including
how in 1927, when he was 19, he played banjo with Johnny Noble's
band at the grand opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
I know we will, as DH
has resolved to take lessons from him.
Honolulu
Star-Bulletin: Musician Bill Tapia takes
a trip down memory lane as an honored guest
Freddy
and Friends: A Photo of Bill Tapia at 94 ~
Another
Photo
Hawai`i
Magazine: List of `Ukulele Instructors
Flea
Market Music Message Board: Bill Tapia's TV Interview
"Life is a Gift."
Me ke
Aloha,
Author
Unknown
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"The
only gift is a portion of thyself..."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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