The UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra:
Noam Akiba-Hajim Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Vocals
Joshua Benevides Alto Saxophone
Bridge Hartman Vocals
Adrian Jones Baritone Saxophone
Joshua Kalima Vocals
Katherine Kolesar Keyboards, Mallets
Dustin Kneidl Guitar, Harmonica
Mayumi Long Vocals, Lead Gong
Payton Meyer Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Madalyn Munoz Keyboards, Percussion
Lindsey Rohlf Bass
Nick Rosenberg Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel
Iris Seaton Keyboards, Mallets
Elizabeth Sekona Electric Violin
Heather Sexton Alto Saxophone
Josh Timmons Vocals, Trumpet, Clonemeister, Vocal Director
Zachary Var Drums
Katie Van Dyk Flute
Uluwehi Winchester-Sye Percussion, Vocals
Roger Winter Guitar
Amy Young Trumpet
Trever Veilleux Guitar, Director
Special Guests:
Sean Luscombe Guitar
Jackie Johnson Mrs. Borg
Lilinoe Kauahikaua Vocals
Isaac Pang Bass
Ka’ikena Scanlan Vocals
Ike Willis Vocals
Dweezil Zappa Guitar
Musical Director:
Trever Veilleux
Vocal Director:
Josh Timmons
Stage Lighting:
Ariana Bassett
Live sound/audio recording:
Rob Abe
Video Edit/Audio mix:
Trever Veilleux
Camera Ops:
Steve Roby, Lynn Richardson, Heidi Veilleux
Music and Lyrics by Frank Zappa
Whipping Post by Gregg Allman
Director’s Notes:
When I was 11 or 12 years old and just starting to learn the guitar, I came across my uncle's vinyl of Joe's Garage Acts II & III by Frank Zappa. That record changed my life, and it changed my understanding of what music could be. I copied it onto cassette and played it constantly, poring over every detail. It was the beginning of what can only be described as a Frank Zappa obsession.
But, Frank died way too soon and I never got to see him perform live.
Fast forward to 2006. Dweezil Zappa announced that he had formed a band and was going on tour to play his dad's music. My wife and I flew to the west coast and caught Dweezil's shows in Vegas, Anaheim, and L.A. The shows were incredible--I never got to see Frank, but thanks to Dweezil and his band I got to see the music that I loved performed brilliantly live in concert.
A few years later I became the director of the UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra and thought that if we could bring a little bit of the magic that is a live performance of Frank Zappa's music to Hilo, that would be a dream come true. On December 12th, 2013 we performed our first Frank Zappa tribute concert at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center. And, we've been doing it every year since.
Last November we received an email from Dweezil Zappa's manager that said:
...LOVE that you’re putting on a Frank Tribute Concert. Dweezil has taken notice; he’s been honoring his dad’s music for over a decade, touring his music worldwide. If the orchestra has plans for 2017, can we talk about getting him involved?
I am beyond excited to share the music of Frank Zappa for the fifth time with you, our audience. I am thrilled to share the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center stage tonight with the current UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra, and visiting alumni band members. And I am also thoroughly honored to share the stage with an incredible composer, guitarist, band leader, and son dedicated to sharing the legacy of his father’s music with the world, Dweezil Zappa.
I would like to acknowledge the following people for their invaluable contributions to this show:
Mahalo
Dweezil and Megan Zappa; Josh Timmons; Lee Dombroski, Rob Abe, Dori Yamada & the staff and crew at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center; Ariana Bassett, Michael Marshall, & the UH Hilo Performing Arts Dept.; Steve Roby and BigIslandMusic.net, Lynn Richardson; Craig Mori and Pacific Sound; John Burnett, Hollyn Johnson, David Bock & The Hawaii Tribune-Herald; Lilinoe Kauahikaua, Chris Leonard, Darrin Carson & B97/KWXX; Michael Janovsky, Steven Smith, and everybody who has supported UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra over the years!