Honolulu Jazz Quartet profile picture

Honolulu Jazz Quartet

About Me

The Honolulu Jazz Quartet is a logical progression in the great tradition of jazz in Hawaii. The band was founded in 2001 by local bassist John Kolivas with the intent of bringing four like-minded musicians together to create a consistent, indelible sound. There are many fine jazz artists in Hawaii, but the economics of making a living as a jazz musician in the 50th State are not conducive to the same group of players working together for an extended period of time. The four members of HJQ have done just that, and the result is a beautiful blend of four individual voices into one distinctive and original voice – a voice that has thrilled audiences at the 10th Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival, the Honolulu Symphony Pops (with full symphony arrangements), and the finest jazz settings throughout Hawaii. HJQ performances have received praise from top musicians including Rufus Reid, Glenn Moore, Ricky Lawson, Paul Jackson Jr., and James Ingram.HJQ’s debut CD Sounds Of The City was released in Hawaii in September 2003, and nationally on February 16, 2004 under its own label (HJQ Records 2039). The CD made its debut on the National Jazz Radio top 50 Chart (JazzWeek) in March 2004 and has garnered accolades from music critics, musicians, jazz fans, and jazz disc jockeys throughout the world.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 08/12/2006
Band Website: www.honolulujazzquartet.com
Band Members: JOHN KOLIVAS-- www.johnkolivas.com Bassist and group leader, John Kolivas (born in 1961) founded the Honolulu Jazz Quartet in the summer of 2001. Over his 25+ years as a professional bassist, John has had the privilege of performing in Hawaii and New York with jazz luminaries including Larry Coryell, Herb Ellis, Makoto Ozone, Don Grusin, John Clayton, Bud Shank, Jeff Hamilton, Eric Marienthal, Arturo Sandoval, Conrad Herwig, John Pizzarelli, Robin Eubanks, Jimmy Rowles, Tiger Okoshi, George Benson, Grady Tate, Richie Cole, Nestor Torres, Valery Ponomarev, Shelly Berg, Gabe Baltazar, Betty Loo Taylor, and Flip Nunez. He has also backed vocalists including Rosemary Clooney, Lea Salonga, and Wayne Newton. While living in New York City (1982 - 1990), John also performed on Broadway in The Tap Dance Kid and Big River, and on tour with The Pirates of Penzance and The Gregory Hines Show. As a bassist with the Honolulu Symphony since 1997, he has accompanied Yo Yo Ma, Denyce Graves, Tan Dun, Andre Watts, and Pinkas Zukerman. Kolivas can also be heard on recordings with Hawaiian slack key guitar masters Keola Beamer, Kapono Beamer and vocalist Keali'i Reichel's Grammy nominated recording, Ke'alaokamaile. John has also taught in jazz clinics in connection with the Hawaii International Jazz Festival with Makoto Ozone, Larry Coryell, and Gabe Baltazar. Currently, John teaches double-bass, electric bass, jazz improvisation, and assists with the orchestras at the prestigious Punahou School in Honolulu. John's instructors on the bass include Rufus Reid, Francois Rabbath, Jeff Bradetich, and Honolulu Symphony bassists Herb Ward, Mike Gorman, and George Wellington.TIM TSUKIYAMA--Saxophone. Tim is a local boy who attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has played with the likes of Ray Charles, The Temptations, Cecilio and Kapono, and Kalapana. Tim is also a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band.DAN DEL NEGRO--Piano. Dan was born on the south side of Chicago and his musical career is steeped in the traditions of that great jazz town. Dan as performed with Herbie Mann, Tiger Okoshi, and Nestor Torres. He also has extensive experience in musical theatre, having performed with touring companies of Les Miserables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Miss Saigon. Dan is currently performing with Na Leo Pilimehana, and Keahi Conjugacion.ADAM BARON--Drums. Adam Baron began playing drum set at age fifteen. Studying at both the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Adam has broadened his musical scope and honed his skills as a professional musician. Studying with jazz greats, Jeff Hamilton, Todd Strait, and Joe Hunt taught Adam how to approach all music with the listening ear of jazz. Adam has recorded with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, Herb Ohta Senior, Jill Cohn, Eduardo Mendonça, and Jovinho Santos Neto. In addition to being the drummer for the Honolulu Jazz Quartet he performs regularly with many jazz artists in Honolulu playing everything from Soul music to Soukous. He holds a degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Washington.
Influences:

Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Music notes


Record Label: HJQ Records, PO Box 89368, Honolulu, HI 96830-7368
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Carmel, CA Concert Review

The evening concert in our converted store/concert venue with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet was a standing ovation event. Great music some of which was from the new CD, Tenacity, by the Quartet  was ...
Posted by on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:11:00 GMT