Mahealani Uchiyama profile picture

Mahealani Uchiyama

About Me

Mahealani Uchiyama brings you Polynesian soul. Mahealani is a dancer, musician, composer, kumuhula (instructor of hula and ori) and Iyanifa (Priestess of Ifa, an African spiritual tradition). She has performed in such venues as San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts, Te Papa Tongarewa (the National Museum of New Zealand, Aotearoa), and the Grand Heiva in Tahiti, French Polynesia. An artist of African and Native - American ancestry, her music is a compliation of the sounds of her cultural and spiritual heritage; Hawaiian mele, Tahitian 'ahuroa, Maori spirit song, mbira of Zimbabwe, drumming of West Africa and Tahiti.In "Tatau" (Tahitian for "tattoo"), her latest release, she presents a collection of compelling and sensual Tahitian songs and drumming, including Te Pua Noanoa, and Tapa'o No Te Here. Guaranteed to touch your heart and get your hips moving, this is a must have for anyone who loves sweet, soulful island sounds.Next up, "A Walk by the Sea", is a performance, a ceremony, and a soon to be released collection which speaks of Mahea's search for the spiritual and cultural traditions of her ancestors.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 14/11/2005
Band Website: www.mahea.com
Band Members: Alan Kekoa Aki started playing music with Mahealani four years ago. Alan has also recently begun playing 'ukulele for the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Workshop Band.Stephen Chipp has been playing with Mahealani for the past three years. He comes from a background of Hawaiian music, and is now performing with the band Na Kolohe Kane.Hugh Humphry is one of the Caribbean's most dynamic percussionists. He has trained with Zak Diouf and Babatunde Olatunji, and has performed extensively, including with the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and with Harry Belafonte.Ashley Moore is a composer, performer, producer and recording engineer whose award-winning work can be heard on radio, television, theater and film. As a singer, guitar player, and multi-instrumentalist, she has been performing professionally for the last 20 years. In 2001, she launched the internationally acclaimed Transcendence Gospel Choir, a ground breaking music ministry, which she also directs. For more information, visit her website at AshleyMoore.com.Aaron Sencil is a drummer, choreographer, costume designer, song writer, and artistic director for the award-winning dance company Hui Tama Nui. He has drummed Tahitian Pehe for the past 15 years.Galen Soria has been playing the saxophone since 4th grade. He recently started playing 'ukulele and Tahitian drums for KaUaTuahine Polynesian Dance Company.Kristin Lihau Fujie became a member of KaUaTuahine in 2001 as a company dancer and has recently begun deepening her experience in traditional and contemporary vocal music.Don Soria has been playing 'ukulele and Tahitian percussion for KaUaTuahine since 2005.Victor Emmanuel Manansala studied percussion in Tahiti and has been drumming with KaUaTuahine since 2006.
Influences: Whirimako Black, Carlos Nakai, Olatunji, Erica Azim, Irene Chigamba, Forward Kwenda, Walela, Joanne Shenandoah, dozens of "old school" rhythm and blues artists.
Record Label: Dancetera
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

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