Bryan Tolentino profile picture

Bryan Tolentino

"KA 'UKULELE LELE"

About Me

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------- Ka ‘Ukulele Lele, the soaring ‘ukulele, is the birth of a new chapter in the life of Bryan Tolentino. What began as a “what if?,” soon blossomed into a musical journey for everyone that came along for the ride. Ka ‘Ukulele Lele is an instrumental and vocal reflection of Bryan’s passion and love for the ‘ukulele and Hawaiian music.Bryan Tolentino is a self-taught ‘ukulele player who began playing the ‘ukulele at the tender age of 10. His early influences were the musical groups, “The Son’s of Hawaii” and “The Sunday Manoa.” After graduating from Saint Louis School in 1979, he and some friends formed a musical group called “The Side Order Band.” Although their paths have taken them in different directions, they have reunited to share in a friend’s vision to “just play” and to “make MAGIC.”Ka ‘Ukulele Lele is a mixture of Hawaiian, contemporary and original songs. It is a wonderful blend of Bryan’s creativity and diversity with the ‘ukulele. A wise friend Karen Keawehawaii shares, “Ka ‘Ukulele Lele” will brighten your day and will only prove to enhance your musical library to date.”Sit back and relax as he takes us on a musical ride … Ka ‘Ukulele Lele!. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- "Hi'ilawe" featuring Hoku Zuttermeister w/Chris Kamaka & Bryan

Add to My Profile | More Videos ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Bryan, Herb Ohta Jr. & David Kamakahi - "G minor Fleas"

Add to My Profile | More Videos------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- Here's also a link to my "Ka 'Ukulele Lele" video done by Scott Sorensen of Coco Palms Pictures: http://www.cocopalmpictures.com/Pages/hawnmusic.html ------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
Click to zoom in on my visitor map!
MyGen Profile Generator

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/5/2007
Band Website: Coming Soon! bryantolentino.com
Band Members: Mahalo to: Greg Sardinha and Sma'Kine Studio. Steve Kramer - Engineer, Dave Tucciarone - Mastering, Lezlie Kiaha - Photography and Graphics, Karen Keawehawai'i - Liner Notes, My Family and Friends.Members on the CD: Asa Young, Bryan Tolentino, Chris Kamaka, Del Beazley, Hoku Zuttermeister, Adj. Larioza, Ocean Kaowili, Kaiali'ili'i Kamaka, Nayrb Onitnelot
Influences: Eddie Kamae, Peter Moon, Ohta-San, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Jr.--------------------------------------------------------- - La'amaikahiki Festival, TahitiClick on Photos to activate ControlsKALAMA DAY'S 2007
Sounds Like: Distributor : Aloha Music International @ BookLines.com. CD can be purchased at online stores and at Borders, Wal-Mart, Sam Goody's and most Major Retail CD stores ---------- REVIEW : Posted on: Sunday, July 31, 2005 ISLAND SOUNDS Pride permeates Tolentino's 'ukulele CD By Wayne Harada Advertiser Entertainment Writer "KA 'UKULELE LELE" BY BRYAN TOLENTINO; SIDE ORDER PRODUCTIONS • Genre: 'Ukulele instrumentals; some Hawaiian vocals. • Distinguishing notes: Bryan Tolentino's solo CD debut handsomely and discreetly shows off his passion for his instrument. His strumming is precise — gentle when the mood is tranquil, fiery when there's excitement and vigor in the piece. Mostly, it's about joy. Listen to the frisky "Little Rock Getaway," which really isn't Hawaiian but comes off as kanikapila, a swaying, backyard hoedown. He shares oldies (Alvin Isaacs' "Analani E," Elizabeth Alohikea's "Radio Hula"), a couple of newbies from his pen ("Mililani Morning," "Ka 'Ukulele Lele") and puts a new spin on other local faves. With the Side Order Band, Tolentino adds voice to the sultry sounds of the past on Palani Vaughan's "Ka'a Ahi Kahului" and Mary Pukui's and Irmgard Aluli's "Ku'u Pete." Always, there's a sense of respect and admiration for the sources. • The outlook: This should be Tolentino's ticket to the charts; as good friend Karen Keawehawai'i says in the liner notes, Tolentino plays from the heart. His performance reflects his pride. • Our take: The CD title translates to "the soaring 'ukulele." In Tolentino's hands, the uke truly takes flight — and it's a joyous ride for the listener — as he demonstrates the versatility of the instrument. ---------------------------- REVIEW : Island Mele John Berger Saturday, May 21, 2005 "Ka 'Ukulele Lele" Bryan Tolentino (Side Order Productions)Tolentino steps forward with a beautiful album of contemporary Hawaiian music. He opens and closes as a soloist, but works with an assortment of talented sidemen on the remaining songs, as they add acoustic and electric bass, slack key guitar and even the familiar donkey noises on "Ku'u Pete." The musicians do a great job with well-crafted arrangements of several Hawaiian standards. They also put an unconventional spin on "Ka'a Ahi Kahului" by using the "Pardon me boy ... " line from "Chattanooga Choo Choo" as the intro to Palani Vaughan's song about a Maui railroad. The title track showcases Tolentino on a Kamaka 8-string, with only electric bass behind him. "Over the Rainbow," a solo with no overdubs or enhancements at all, is a perfect closing number. ------- REVIEW :NORTHWEST HAWAI‘I TIMES Gregg Porter's Music Reviews June 2005 BRYAN TOLENTINO: “Ka `Ukulele Lele” (Side Order) One could easily argue that the `ukulele never went away, but there certainly seems to be a distinct resurgence in it’s popularity in recent years, particularly by those who feel it should be considered a serious instrument, capable of lead lines as beautiful as any guitar. Just look at recent successes of and attention paid to players like Herb Ohta, Jr., Jake Shimabukuro, Brittni Paiva, and David Kamakahi. Add to that list now Bryan Tolentino – he has handled `ukulele parts on a number of CDs for friends over the years, but this is his first solo project. Tolentino has a gentle and tasteful way of playing, cleanly and without a lot of flash, yet it’s easy to hear what a virtuoso he is. Standout tracks include a softly-swinging rendition of Andy Iona’s classic, “How D’Ya Do” (with lovely ki ho`alu additions from guest Ocean Kaowili); “Analani E,” another old standard; the title track (one of his two original compositions on the album); and a nahenahe solo rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” His backup group, “The Side Order Band,” dates back to the early 1980s – though they have all gone on to distinct and successful musical careers since then, it’s a treat to hear how well Asa Young, Chris Kamaka and Del Beazley can blend together to support an old friend. MyGen Profile Generator ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- 1. Mililani Morning 2. Pu'uanahulu 3. Little Rock Getaway 4. How D'ya Do 5. Ku'u Pete 6. Analani E 7. Sunshine Keri 8. Ka 'Ukulele Lele 9. Hanauma 10. Radio Hula 11. Ka'a Ahi Kahului 12. Over the Rainbow
Record Label: Side Order Productions

Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

PacificMele.coms Artist of the Month

Mahalo nui to Jason at Pacificmele.com for choosing me their Artist of the Month! I’m honored and thankful to be choosen. See ya soon Jason!Hit up his website to check it out! I’ll be trav...
Posted by Bryan Tolentino on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:27:00 PST

Aloha Airlines Shutting Down

Just got this from my friend Lynn: Aloha kakou,This isn’t the kind of info I normally post, but I thought you all might want to know since so many of you are traveling here to Hawaii nei in the ...
Posted by Bryan Tolentino on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:12:00 PST

L&L Artist of the Week

Aloha mai kakou! I'm Happy and Honored to be chosen L&L's Artist of the Week!  Mahalo to L&L for your suporting Hawaiian Music and it's Musicians! Please go out and support L&L b...
Posted by Bryan Tolentino on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:42:00 PST

E Komo Mai!

Aloha and Welcome to this 'Ukulele Friendly MS! Please keep it clean, but keep it real! Anything I feel that is objectional, I will DELETE! Let's keep it FUN for everyone. I've gotten a lot of great a...
Posted by Bryan Tolentino on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:02:00 PST