Bryan Tolentino has more than 40 recording credits, including 14 Na Hoku Hanohano winners and two Grammy nominations. Tolentino is the ukulele player Hawaii’s top artists and producers call when they want that indescribable, certain something on their track. He calls it “fairy dusting,” and over the years he has sprinkled it on recordings from Raiatea Helm, Weldon Kekauoha, Hoku Zuttermeister, Ku’uipo Kumukahi, and Kuana Torres Kahele. Throughout his professional career as a musician and recording artist, he has performed and continues to perform locally and abroad with notable Hawaiian entertainers such as: Aunty Genoa Keawe, Jake Shimabukuro, Karen Keawehawai’i, Ku’uipo Kumukahi, Marlene Sai, Raiatea Helm, Jerry Santos and Olomana, Hoku Zuttermeister, O’Brian Eselu, Frank Hewett, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Herb Ohta, Jr., ‘Elua Kane, Sonny Lim, Nā Leo, Jeff Peterson, Halehaku Seabury, Danny Naipo, Aaron J. Sala,and the Side Order Band.
Bryan will be in Northern Virginia on Saturday, May 4, 2019, when he plans to teach ukulele and music performance workshops in the afternoon and perform in a house concert in the evening in Herndon, VA, near Dulles airport.
We are extremely fortunate that Bryan has agreed to share his knowledge with us. He is offering three 90-minute workshops.
12:30 - 2:00 Hawaiian Style Vamps. Bryan is a master of numerous Hawaiian Style Vamps or turnarounds, the staple of Hawaiian music. He will be sharing how to strum and pick many of them at this workshop.
2:15 - 3:45 Beyond the 3d Fret. Bryan will help you navigate beyond the 3d fret of the ukulele where he does much of his magic. As our good friend Byron Yasui says, “you paid for it, you might as well use it!” Bryan will show you how. This is where a lot of “fairy dust” resides.
4:00 - 5:30 Music Awareness. This is a more advanced level of technique and connecting the analytical and technical part of music with the heart while listening and fitting in. Bryan will share his approach to music and how he creates his “fairy dusting”. This is what makes leading musicians in Hawai’i seek out Bryan.
Bryan is asking $25 for one 90-minute workshop, $45 for two workshops, and $60 for three workshops payable at the workshop.
We will have a potluck at 6:00 p.m. You are welcome to bring a dish to share. We will provide, plates, bowls, utensils, and water. Feel free to bring other beverages that you may care to drink.
The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. We are asking for a suggested donation of $20 per person attending the concert.
Seating is limited. If you wish to any of the workshops, and/or the concert, please send an email to homeconcert@outlook.com, for our private home address and more. In your reply, please state the specific workshops you wish to attend and whether you will attend the concert. Please provide the names of those attending and what they would like to attend. An email will be sent to you in response to your RSVP confirming your reservation
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Feel free to call Glen Hirabayashi, mobile 571 224-3067, if you have any questions. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you,
Glen and Donna Hirabayashi
