Honolulu Jazz Quartet | John Kolivas (bass), Dan Del Negro (keyboards), von Baron (drums) and Tim Tsukiyama (sax)

It’s a milestone, alright. The Honolulu Jazz Quartet is celebrating ten years of creating music together with a performance tonight at Gordon Biersch, and releasing it’s third CD.

Kudos to bassist John Kolivas, who founded the band, inspired by the post-bop jazz of the 60s, especially the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Art Blakey. Over the years, HJQ has built up quite a following in the jazz world and remains one of Hawaii’s most popular jazz bands, known for its straightahead, yet contemporary style.

When the group recorded it’s first full length CD “Sounds of the City” in 2003, it caught the ear of jazz critic Nat Hentof, who ended up writing the liner notes for their second CD, “Tenacity,” released in 2007.

To mark their decade in music, the band is puting out a new CD: HJQ | Remembrance | Live at The Triple Door.

Listen to the Honolulu Jazz Quartet perform “Remembrance” with Anita Hall on vocals:

[audio:https://heidichang.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Remembrance.mp3|titles=Remembrance by the Honolulu Jazz Quartet]

(5 min 15 secs)

This is HJQ’s first live album recorded at the Seattle music club, featuring original compositions by the band members, except for one tune by Keola Beamer called “Real Old Style.”

The title track, “Remembrance,”  is the only studio recording on the CD. The beautiful and haunting song has a bossa nova feel to it, featuring Anita Hall on vocals. John Kolivas wrote the music, and his brother, Robert Pennybacker, penned the lyrics.

When HJQ released the song as a single in 2001, it was originally written as an homage to those who lost their lives on September 11th — the survivors, and their families. But as time goes on, the brothers say the song has taken on a broader meaning — “a heartfelt remembrance and appreciation for all things past.”

 

The new CD is dedicated to the memory of their mother, Dolly Kang Lott, a classical pianist. She inspired Kolivas to form the band, and remained his biggest fan up until she died in 2008. Dolly was a very special lady and also one of my best friends. We (family and friends) miss her dearly.

Join the Honolulu Jazz Quartet in celebrating its 10th Anniversary tonight at the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant at the Aloha Tower Market Place from 6:30 – 9:30. No cover.

Mahalo HJQ for 10 great years of music, and to Dolly for encouraging her son to start the band!

Related blog post: Honolulu Jazz Quartet Live at Gordon Biersch