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The core members of this group believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, is our Savior and guiding light. We feel that it is our responsibility to share our God given musical talents with our brothers and sisters here on earth. That sharing the Love, compassion and respect through our Mele, Spirit of Aloha, and the teachings of Jesus will bring joy to those who are willing to accept it for what it is, pure, beautiful and uncomplicated. |
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Send mail to musicmanjer@live.com
with questions or comments about this web site.
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![[Under Construction]](_borders/Hawaiistuff.jpg)
Jerry Gillgren:
Born and raised in Long Beach, Ca. From the tender age of 3, his
parents discovered he had a natural
gift of music as he started playing the piano. Music quickly became an integral
part of his life. Growing up in a Christian family, Jerry began playing music
for church. Between music and school, Jerry loved to surf and dive and had a
love for the ocean. Early on, he developed a passion for the Hawaiian culture
and its people. Throughout his musical career, he has played many music styles
as a multi-instrumentalist with professional groups in Southern and Northern Ca. The highlight in his musical career
came when he had the pleasure of playing a gig on a cruise ship with Mel
Amina and Analu
Aina, musicians for the now
beloved "IZ"
Izrael
Kamakawiwo'ole. Since then,
Jerry has committed to the study of traditional Hawaiian music and language.
Jerry Also maintains a home in Pahoa,
on the Big Island of Hawaii. He
lives in Napa with his family and plays on his churches' worship team. He
also has a worship group that plays special events. He is a member of the
Glenn Colburn:
Born in San Francisco, Ca. ,
Glenn was raised in the Hawaiian way through his parents who were Portuguese Hawaiian. As a child, he was surrounded by the Hawaiian culture through family
and friends and frequented local Hawaiian establishments in the area. He
grew up in the mission district and attended Polytechnic High. Glenn's musical
career began as a percussionist and throughout his life he has performed with
numerous Latin Jazz groups in the Bay area. He was with the gospel music group "Hosanna" for 11 years. He retired from the group and
continued study in Hawaiian music. He currently lives in Napa, Ca. with his family. Glenn is a devout Christian and loves the
Lord which greatly compliments the groups' philosophy. He plays Ukulele and percussion
for our group.
John "Da Kine" Ballesteros:
Born in Okinawa, Japan, John has strong ties to the Islands. John served in the U.S.
armed forces and currently is a Fire Captain in the Bay Area. A family man and
devout Christian, John lives with his wife and son in Napa. He understands the
importance of the musical connection to the islands and the Aloha Spirit that
keeps them connected whenever they "go home". John plays on his
churches' worship team and is also a member of the
Sean Allen:
A student of Berklee school of
Music, Sean is a master guitar player and
teaches Music at the Napa School of Music. Sean was mesmerized by the
soothing sound of the Steel Guitar and has been playing Country and Hawaiian
music. He currently is touring with country music singer
Roger
Tapac: Native Hawaiian
born on Oahu, has been playing Hawaiian music since he was a child. Roger is a
well established known Bay Area musician playing with many music groups
including Ka Ehu Kai,
Patrick Landeza
and many others. John fills in on
Bass guitar
for us.
Former
Member, Earl Britos, was
born
and raised in Kaneohe,
Oahu, Earl is of native Hawaiian ancestry. He grew up on
Oahu. He had a love for music early on through his mother, who was a devout
Christian and sang for their local church. Earl began learning Ukulele and
Slack Key Guitar as a boy and performed in the islands with various musical
groups. Earl graduated from Castle High school and went on to be a carpenter.
Earl moved to the Mainland and lived with his wife and daughter in New Mexico,
where he recorded an album of Hawaiian music playing a Guitar made of Ice in
Taos, in the snow at 9000 feet. Earl now lives in Northern California with his
family. Earl's background in Christian worship music orchestrates his spiritual
style of playing and singing. His commitment to maintaining spiritual integrity
is first and foremost in his life. His traditional Hawaiian ways help keep
the group focused on accuracy in the music we perform. Earl played
Slack key guitar and sang lead vocals in our group.
Former
Member, Keoki Cortez
was
born in Kalihi, Oahu and was raised on the north shore in Hau'ula. His family
lineage is from the Kamaka and Nu'uhiwa bloodline. He attended Kahuku and Roosevelt High
schools where he began to take an interest in guitar. His musical influnences
are "Pops" Pahinui, Uncle Joe Marshall, Kahauanu Lake Trio, and many
more. Keoki had a popular group on the Big Island called
"Kool Elevation"
which was successful in producing several CD's in the contemporary style of
Hawaiian music. He is a father to three children and seven grandchildren. Keoki played Electric
Bass, Classical Guitar and sang vocals for us with his velvety voice.
Keoki is a devout Christian and is a founding father of the 
"Papa"
Joe Lucero: Joe grew
up in Okinawa, Japan. From an early age, he picked up the guitar and
taught himself how to play. Joe's talent is obvious as his musical ability has
allowed him to play professionally since his late teens. Joe currently leads a
popular R&B group in the S.F. bay area. In the past, he has played Hawaiian
music for a former Hula Halau in Fairfield, Ca., thus allowing him the
experience in Hawaiian music. He lives in Vallejo, Ca. with his family and
leads the Youth music team at his church in Benicia. Joe
plays the Ovation Guitar and helps out on vocals for
our
group.