Led Kaapana is nearing his 40th year as a professional musician. His mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voice have made him a musical legend. His easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm have made him a favorite of audiences from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Like so many Hawaiians, Led grew up in a musical family. In the tiny black sand bay village of Kalapana, there were few distractions. "We didn't have electricity, not television, not even much radio," says Led. "So we entertained ourselves. You could go to any house and everybody was playing music."
Often everybody was playing music at a backyard party, many of which lasted for days. "People played in shifts, taking over when somebody went to sleep," Led recalls. "You'd fall asleep to the music, wake up....and the music was still playing. That was the best alarm clock I ever had!"
It was at these family gatherings that Led learned to play in the old style, watching, listening, then imitating. Chief among his teachers were his mother, Mama Tina Kaapana, and his uncle Fred Punahoa. "Even today when I play, I still picture all the `ohana (family) getting together and sharing their songs and their aloha."
Although isolated, outside influences did creep into Kalapana. Like most kids his age, Led loved to rock and roll and also listened to country, jazz, and Latin music. When he'd sneak a riff from a guitar hit of the day, like Pipeline or Walk Don't Run, into his music his dad would tease, "Hey, that's not slack key!" But nobody ever stopped him, they just encouraged him to "play what you feel and play with aloha."
As teenagers, Led and his twin brother Ned and cousin Dennis Pavao formed the Hui `Ohana, one of the hottest groups of the 70s and 80s and now legendary among Hawaiian musicians. The 70s saw the blossoming of the Hawaiian Renaissance, and Hui `Ohana was a key part of that return to traditional Hawaiian culture and music. Young Hawaii Sings Old Hawaii, the title of their first recording, was also their statement of purpose.
The group produced 14 best-selling albums and made countless hundreds of live appearances, proudly sharing Kalapana's musical traditions.
Led later formed another trio, I Kona, releasing 6 albums with that group, including Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, Jus' Press. He has also released a number of solo albums, including two Na Hoku Hanohano Instrumental Album of the Year winners, Lima Wela and Black Sand.
Recording for Dancing Cat Records, Led has done a number of solo projects, duets, and a project with Allison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, and a number of bluegrass legends, Waltz of the Wind. He has worked with Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and many other Nashville notables. Back at home, he has shared his talents on recordings with most of Hawaii's top talents, including Aunty Genoa Keawe, Barney Isaacs, The Ho`opi`i Brothers, Melveen Leed, the Pahinui Brothers, Amy Gilliom, and countless others.
Led tours the US extensively and has also appeared in Belgium, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Tahiti.
When home in Hawaii, he performs every Tuesday at Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace. It seems there is always local talent and often visiting musicians from the four corners of the globe drop in. It's a great "back yard" party...with the Honolulu waterfront for a back drop. A perfect setting to enjoy the charm and the musical magic of Led Kaapana.
