From the programs of
"Ohta San" in Concert, 2002 and The Hawai`i Daughter's
Guild 30th Annual Holokű Ball, compiled by Guild President, Sharon
Ku`uipo Kana`e Paulo:
"A favorite son of
Hawai`i, Ohta San is the soft-spoken master who says it all with his
fingertips. He makes the 'ukulele speak a romantic language --
and true virtuoso that he is, his skill has helped to establish the
'ukulele as a solo instrument.
Ohta San is today a
world-renowned artist.
"To
hear him is to experience someone
who is an absolute master of his instrument."
~ Jim Beloff
In 1944, a small boy
came to the KGMB studios in downtown Honolulu to play his 'ukulele
for the "Amateur Hour". He took home first prize-$10,
along with a comb and brush set. He returned the following week and
again he won first prize. When he came back a third time, they sent
him home. He was just too good and it wasn't fair to the other
contestants.
The boy was Herb Ohta,
later to be known as "Ohta San." Two years later he met
Eddie Kamae, who taught the young "Ohta San" a number of
sophisticated techniques and told him to practice hard.
Kamae said of their
first meeting, "Herbert was maybe twelve years old. He
had his 'ukulele and we talked. I remember asking him to play a song
for me. He played the "Stars and Stripes Forever,"
Jesse Kalima's song. I told him as time goes by, he should
play something that would identify him. I had a feeling that he
was very dedicated and serious about his music."
Kamae became "Ohta
San's" first mentor. Today "Ohta San's" vast repertoire
defies classification; he can expertly deliver a soft,
romantic "Tennessee Waltz," a crisp, snappy "Girl
from Ipanema," and everything in between.
His lovely "A
Song for Anna" written for him by French composer André
Popp was an international hit in 1974 and has sold over six million
copies. Now nearly sixty years later, "Ohta San" is
recognized as one of the world's greatest 'ukulele
players.
He is a proud son of
Hawai`i."
~~~
"Herb Ohta, internationally
renowned musician, began playing the 'ukulele when he was only 7
years old. Influenced greatly by Hawaiian 'ukulele virtuoso Eddie
Kamae, this exceptional musician has elevated the ukulele from an
accompaniment solo instrument status.
He extends his love of the ukulele
from Hawaiian music to classical, jazz, rock, pop, and Latin music
as well. Ohta-San's diversity and style reflect his lyrical sense
and is respected as the height of ukulele artistry. He is the only
known master of the ukulele instrument to have over 300 tunes played
on national radio."
Ohta-San with over 60 albums to his
credit, continues to fascinate his fans in the U.S., Canada, France,
Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and beyond. His successful hit,
"A Song for Anna" composed by famed French composer and
conductor André Popp, has sold over 6 million copies throughout the
world."
~~~
More details on Ohta
San can be found here.
~~~
>> "Talking
Story" with Ohta San at His 'Ukulele Workshop
>> More
on Ohta San
>>
Excerpts
on Herb
"Ohta San" Ohta from HAWAIIAN MUSIC AND MUSICIANS, edited by
George S. Kanahele
Return to
>> The
Master of the 'Ukulele, Ohta San
>> Easter
Sunday with Ohta San
"Life is a Gift."
Me ke
Aloha,
Author
Unknown
"The
only gift is a portion of thyself..."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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