November 13, 2003
The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Wa

By Isamu Jordan
Staff Writer

One of Hawaii's slack key guitar gurus, Cyril Pahinui, sleeps on Patrick Landeza's couch when he comes to the mainland.

That's significant because Landeza is considered the leader of the next school of Hawaiian-style guitarists - not an easy feat for someone from "the island of Berkeley," as he describes his California hometown.

"There is no other mainland guy that has been able to cross over and be accepted by the masters and contemporaries in Hawaii," Landeza said bluntly of himself during a telephone interview from his home in San Leandro, Calif.

"I'm proud to be a part of that chain, proud to be from the mainland, and proud to be Hawaiian and playing the music of my culture. For children born of Hawaiian parents I'm proud to be an example that you do not have to be from Hawaii to play Hawaiian music."

Although Landeza is regarded as one of the genre's elites, it's even more of an honor to be sharing his third tour with Pahinui, whom he considers an uncle.

Pahinui, who lives in Honolulu, is the son of the late and legendary Gabby "Pops" Pahinui, one of Hawaii's best-known and most influential slack key guitarists. Because of Pops' accomplishments throughout the 1960s and '70s, the Pahinui clan is described as the royal family of the slack key guitar.

"I listened to Cyril's dad when I was little. Even though I lived in Berkeley, my parents are of Hawaiian ancestry," said 31-year-old Landeza. "Gabby is considered a folk hero. He's beyond celebrity. And here I am traveling with his son."

Pahinui and Landeza bridge generations and continents during the Hawaiian Music Masters concert that arrives at The Met tonight. They will be joined by the Northwest Hula Company and local opener Lokomaika'i Hawaiian Band.

Both men are labelmates and part of an extensive roster of Hawaiian guitarists on Dancing Cat Records, founded by pianist George Winston. The same label brought George Kahumoku Jr. to Spokane for a Valentine's Day concert this year.

Thanks to efforts by labels like Dancing Cat, more Hawaiian artists are touring the continental U.S.

"Hawaiian music is hot right now," Landeza said. "I was watching (Nickelodeon cartoon) 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' with my 7-month-old son and I trip out because they are playing the Hawaiian steel guitar. Now I watch it to check out the steel players. Hawaiian music is all over television."

Yet, while the slack key sound is becoming more familiar on the mainland, it's largely overlooked in Hawaii, said Landeza, who often travels there.

"It's weird, but in Hawaii, it's hard to find," he said. "All you hear on the radio is Jamaican music, all covers of oldies. We call is 'Jawaiian music.' Because of that, traditional Hawaiian musicians make more money traveling out. They can't make a living in Hawaii."

The unique slack key style uses a special tuning that was originated 200 years ago when Mexican cowboys introduced Hawaiians to the guitar while teaching them to farm cattle.

Landeza learned from his uncles when he was 15 years old, usually after they were drunk at 2 a.m. at parties.

Pahinui was taught by his father and played on all five of Gabby's groundbreaking albums during his teens. He has since performed all over Europe and twice at Carnegie Hall.

"I was given a choice, but I was advised to stick with Hawaiian music and it's taken me all over the world," Pahinui said during a telephone interview while on the road.

"But Patrick made the crossover and I love to come to the mainland with him because I have many friends and family who have moved here and are dying to hear Hawaiian music and share the culture."

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