Robert Cazimero, a master of Hawaiiana and hula, admits he’s trusting his heart and soul for his Blue Note Hawaii debut Friday at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Clearly, this is a step outside of his comfort zone.
“At first I was very apprehensive about performing at this new venue,” he remarked, referring to the parade of big jazz names gigging at the Blue Note since it opened in January. But Melveen Leed’s and Natalie Ai Kamauu’s recent engagements there “lessened my stress.”
“I also figured, what the heck?”
For his longtime fans and newbies visiting Waikiki, the beloved kumu hula and veteran of the Brothers Cazimero will add his Hawaiian stamp and plans to perform “a combination of standard classics from the All-American Songbook and the swing jazz/hapa-haole music that Hawaii fell in love with, embraced, and made our own.”
He’s still finalizing his song list, but this much is certain:
>> He’ll front a trio that will include a progressive young guitarist, Halehaku Seabury, and one of his hula halau members, Nich Lum, on bass.
>> “I’m throwing in some dances and dancers for the fun it,” he said. The dancers hail from his Halau na Kamalei o Lililehua and the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company, featured in his Hawaiian shows over the decades.
>> He’s giving his all in “the best way I know: trust myself and my talent.”
Cazimero says he’s indebted to some of his peers (Loyal Garner, Ethel Azama, Jimmy Borges, Loretta Ables Sayre and Betty Loo Taylor) for their jazz prowess over the decades, and kupuna (his musical parents, plus Maynard “Gramps” Hoapili and Mahi Beamer) who have influenced him “and brought me to this place and time in my career.”
Show times are 6:30 and 9 p.m. (doors open at 5 and 8:30 p.m.). Call 518-6240. …
CINEMASCOOP: Filming is underway here for a TV movie, “A Midsummer’s Hawaiian Dream,” based on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. The modern-day tale involves a group of archaeologists enlisted by a female attorney to uncover an ancient Hawaiian artifact and halt development on land believed to be sacred. A Hawaiian and his sidekick intervene.
Produced by Island Film Group and Rock Solid Films, the project features Charles Shaughnessy (best known for “The Nanny”), Amy Carlson (“Blue Bloods”), and Brent Bailey and Alexandria DeBerry as the archaeologists. Matt Corboy (“The Descendants”) and Sonya Balmores-Chung (“Soul Surfer”) play the developer and attorney, respectively, with Kimo Kahoano and Augie T among the recognizable locals. Air date — when and where — has not been determined. …
While dining at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in the Royal Hawaiian Center, the cast, along with Island Film Group’s Ricardo Galindez, Roy Tjioe and Angela Laprete, exchanged aloha and chatter with Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who happened to be there as well. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Japanese jazz pianist and pop artist Senri Oe joins a series of Honolulu events to aid child victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami five years ago. Participants include Junko Yagami, ManoaDNA, Miki Orihara, Misa Ogasawara and Honoka & Azita. An afternoon tea and concert is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Hawaiian Design Center; a wine tasting follows Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. with a concert at 7 p.m. Details: 221-1865. …
Comedian Augie T will be bouncing all over the state in the days and months to come. On Mother’s Day, May 8, Augie, Shawn Garnett and Kristian Lei salute moms from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manoa Grand Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Tickets: $56, at augiet.com. …
The Chance ’Um Tour reunites Augie with Mel Cabang and Frank De Lima May 27 on Oahu, June 4 on Kauai, June 10 in Hilo, June 24 in Kona, July 1 on Maui and July 2 in Waimea. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.
