Herb Ohta Jr. & Jon Yamasato Holiday Show

A young slack key guitarist trained by the famous Slack Key guitar master, Dennis Kamakahi, Jon Yamasato, with his band, “Pure Heart”, won 5 Na Hoku Hanohano awards, Hawaii’s most prestigious music award.nnJon Yamasato performed with the group Na ‘Oiwi (with Dennis & David Kamakahi & Mike Kaawa) recording 2 CDs: Crossroads and The Sequel. He also toured the US with bands such as Keahiwai, Round and Round, and Imua. He often tours Japan with young master ukulele instrumentalist, Herb Ohta Jr. He has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in Hawaiian Music including Keali`i Reichel, ` Ale`a and Justin Young, and performs regularly at George Kahumoku’s Slack Key Show, usually with Herb Ohta Jr.nnJon’s 5 Hoku awards arennAlbum of the Year (1999)nIsland Contemporary Album of the YearnMost Promising Artist (1999)nEntertainer of the year (1999)nContemporary Album of the year (2000)

Ukulele for ukulele fans who prefer unpretentious technical proficiency over theatrics, Herb Ohta Jr is the undisputed master ukulele instrumentalist of his generation. Son of the legendary ukulele artist, Ohta-san, Herbʻs natural talent, knowledge, technique, and speed are unsurpassed. He is a master ukulele performer, teacher, composer, recording artist, and producer. Herb creates unique arrangements of new and familiar tunes and makes each song breathtakingly fresh and definately his own.

George Kahumoku Jr. is a master Hawaiian slack-key guitarist. Born in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, he was labeled Hawaii's Renaissance Man by Nona Beamer. He received the 4 Grammy Awards for Best Hawaiian Music Album for compilation CD produced at his Slack Key Show on Maui.

Born and raised on Maui, Sterling showed an early talent for the guitar. After attending Uncle George’s Annual Summer Workshop and studying with the slack key masters, Sterling took a particular interest in Slack Key C Tuning and has run with it. His CD, Simply Sterling, is available at the show. Also an adept fisherman and hunter, he now owns & operates All About Fish fishing supply store in Honokowai, Maui, and helps Uncle George at the farm.

JJ Jerome comes from a strong musical family and plays ukulele, drums, bass, and a wide variety of other instruments. He has become an important part of George Kahumoku Jr.'s Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele Workshop both in the Kitchen Hui and as an assistant teacher. He has recently become the newest member of the Slack Key Show Ohana. His passion for music is what drives him to perfect his musical abilities.

Peter was born and raised on the island of Maui. He began playing ukulele at the age of 6. Later he studied ukulele with Keoki Kahumoku and Herb Ohta Jr. Other important influences include all the masters of Hawaiian Slack Key guitar with whom he has played regularly for the last 8 years, including Ledward Kaapana and others, also Bradda IZ & Bob Marley. Peter now plays professionally around Maui both solo and in groups: Dukes-Kaanapali (Three Pounds of Poi), Kimo’s-Lahaina (deAquino Braddaz), The Hula Grill (leading the band TBA), and the Hard Rock Café (Sounds of Addiction). Peter is featured on all four of the Slack Key Show’s Grammy winning compilation CDs: Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol.1, Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol.2, and also on the Grammy nominated Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar. Peter is featured in a new DVD: The Best of the Slack Key Show, Vol. 1.