Ozzie Kotani
Ozzie Kotani is a true asset to modern slack key. With the exception of Keola Beamer perhaps, no other player has done more to spread the knowledge of slack key than Ozzie Kotani. Ozzie has authored a several books plus a DVD, an
d has taught countless students, not the least of whom is his young protege Danny Carvahlo. Ozzie has also put out some fine Ki Ho'alu albums on Dancing Cat and other labels, with songs like "Kani Ki Ho'alu," "Kani Kipaipai," and "Paka Ua" that have become modern classics.
Born in Honolulu in 1956, Ozzie and his siblings played uke and piano growing up. As a senior in the early 70's, Ozzie's ear was caught by the sounds of Keola Beamer and other Slack Key players as the Hawaiian Renaissance came about, bringing a resurgence of more traditional music such as slack key.
Ozzie started out studying slack key with Peter Medeiros at the UH Manoa Continuing Education Program, and later continued on with the great slack key master Sonny Chillingworth.
Sonny, who also taught George Kuo and Makana among others, was influential in Ozzie's lifelong commitment to teaching and performing slack key. Sonny would teach lessons at the lower income Hawaiian Homestead lands, such as the Papakolea, a tradition Ozzie has continued.
Ozzie has released several albums, starting with the now-out-of-print "Classical Slack" (1988), and continuing to his most recent "Paka 'Ua: Raindrops" (2005). He was also featured on the two Grammy winning Slack Key albums recorded at George Kahumoku Jr.'s concert series on Maui.
A musical historian as well, Ozzie has studied the work of "Auntie" Alice Namakelua, whose namesake F Wahine tuning is now in common use, along with the work of other early slack key artists. He further took on a unique project to record an instrumental album of Queen Lili'uokalani's songs (see below).Perhaps his greatest legacy is that of a teacher. Ozzie taught at the same University of Hawai'i Continuing Education Program where he started out, and furthered the classes by developing a credited Slack Key course. He has taught many students privately, including young protege Danny Carvahlo, and authored several books. His most recent contribution to the world of Ki Ho'alu is an instructional DVD released in 2007.
Select Discography
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Kani Ki Ho'alu, Dancing Cat 1995. Kani Ki Ho 'alu is a Kihoalu.org "Classic Album." Great introduction to Ozzie, playing both nylon & steel... classic Ozzie songs like Kani Ki Ho'alu and Kani Kipaipai. Buy "Kani Ki Ho'alu"
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To Honor a Queen, Dancing Cat 2001. Many outside the islands don't understand how Queen Lili'uokalani captured the Hawaiian imagination. As the last reigning monarch, overthrown by a group of prominent business and plantation owners in 1893, she spent the remaining years of her life (until 1917) confined to the palace. Throughout her career, she was a patron of the arts and composed many classic Hawaiian songs, including "Aloha 'Oe," and "The Queen's Prayer." It speaks a lot of Ozzie that he can pull off such an extensive project. |
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Paka Ua (Raindrops), Daniel Ho Productions, 2005. Ozzie's latest solo album has a great selection of songs, which range from the simple title track, which he developed as a student exercise, to more complicated tunes like Ozzie's arrangement of "Danny Boy." Ozzie also does the Chet Atkins style "Opihi Moemoe," and the tunes "Goin' Country" and "Ke Wai O Namolokama" to add a little back yard flare. Overall, an excellent album from Ozzie. |
Instructional Materials
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Guitar Playing Hawaiian Style, by Ozzie Kotani with Dennis Ladd. Mel Bay, 1996 / 2000. As featured in the Instructional Materials section: "Ozzie's book is focused around 9 tunes - either songs he wrote (i.e. the into from Kani Ki Ho'alu, ) or traditionals arranged by him (i.e. Manuela Boy). The helpful CD has the songs recorded at both slow speed and regular tempo for practicing along. The book covers the basics of alternating bass, as well as techniques such as hammer ons, pull offs, and harmonics- all of which are summarized in the introductory Pages. Tuning-wise, this book covers the essentials. Most of the songs are in Taro Patch, with the G Wahine (Punahele or "Double Slack") and Drop C (Leonard's C) tunings also explored." Read the rest... |
Select Links
Ozzie's Slack-Key Instruction Site with info on the new DVDOfficial Website - a little out of date, but features song clips