Major Hana Records was founded in February of 2005. Jonathan Block, Chairman of Major Hana Records, has been a director, producer, and, manager, for 26 years and has worked with artists including, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, The JB Horns featuring Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis, G. Love & Special Sauce, Fred "Re-Run" Berry, and Fun Lovin' Criminals. Mr Block has produced and directed numerous music videos, commercials, and documentary films. Block, a former Best Director winner of "The Visions Of The US", a yearly contest put on by Sony and the American Film Institute, recently directed his first feature film, "Major Hana". Look for "Major Hana" to hit the international film festival circut later in 2008. Also on the international film fest circut later in 2008 will be the Hawaiian music/family/culture documentary, "Sounds of 'Ohana". For details on "Major Hana", check out: www.myspace.com/majorhanathemovie
In late October of 2005, Major Hana Records released it's first album entitled Ohana - Volume One. Ohana - Volume One was the most downloaded Pop Compilation Record in the World for the 12 straight months of 2006. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Kaulana Kanekoa and Vince Esquire was the number 1 Pop Compilation download on iTunes in the US, UK, Germany, France, Holland, Luxembourg, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and Italy in 2006. Other songs by Vince Esquire, Bradah Larry & The Hailiimaile Band, Kanekoa, Kaleo, Patsy and Yuko have been top 5 downloads in the US, UK, Italy, Canada and Luxembourg.
In late January of 2006, "Somewhere" made it to number 1 on both the U.S. and Canada iTunes folk charts. In April of 06' "Somewhere " celebrated it's 6th straight month at number 1 on both the U.S. and Canada iTunes compilation charts, thus becoming the longest chart topper in iTunes history.
Check out Kanekoa live in Reno, May, 2007
Kaulana Kanekoa and Vince Esquire's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow is also featured on the soundtrack album for the feature film Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School starring Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin, David Paymer, Camryn Manheim, Danny DeVito and John Goodman. Recently it was featured on "The Pride Of Brittan" a BBC telecast w PM Tony Blair, and appeared on "Scrubs", in April and May of 2007.
Also, Kanekoa is seen and heard in the movie, and trailer, for "The Heartbreak Kid", starring Ben Stiller and Directed and Produced by the Farrelly Brothers on Dreamworks/Paramount. Kanekoa will also be seen and heard in Mr. Block's, upcoming directorial debut, "Major Hana". Vince Esquire and Fred Wesley have 5 songs each in the upcoming feature film Submission starring Corbin Bernson, Simone Mackinnon, and Claire Carey.
Check out Kanekoa's, "Under The Coconut Sky" at a store near you. Kanekoa's debut Major Hana Records release is available through Fontana/Universal distribution. Kanekoa is the first band from the state of Hawaii to receive North American distribution. First single, "Way Down", also featured in "The Heartbreak Kid", is off to a fast start heating up at 21 Triple A stations across the country. "Way Down" represents the first time ukulele players from the state of Hawaii have impacted American radio.
The Fred Wesley Quartet's, "To Someone", and "Ohana - Volume One" are available exclusively on www.itunes.com.
For further information contact: [email protected] or www.majorhana.com www.myspace.com/majorhanathemovie www.vinceesquire.com www.kanekoa.com www.fredwesley.com www.asshairhat.com www.monyca.com www.myspace.com/getitunesMajor Hana Records Box 595 Hana, HI 96713
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