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Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Label: Kipuka Records
Website: starrkalahiki.com
Sounds Like: Sarah Vaughan, Eva Cassidy, Jane Monheit, N'Dea Davenport
Genre: Jazz
starr kalahiki has been singing for as long as she can remember. born the only child to a pentecostal minister, the musical fellowship she received on a weekly basis was an incomparable education. add to that, her father's collection of jazz and bossa nova LP's and there's where our story begins...
at 16 at the university lab school, choral director Nola Nahulu literally acquainted starr with her own voice and had her audition for the Hawaii Opera Theatre chorus. starr sang in six operas with HOT, performed the role of the fairy godmother in Diamond Head Theatre's "Cinderella", performed in various shows at Leeward Community College, then scored a job working with the phenomenally talented cast of "'Ulalena" on Maui. She returned to Honolulu in 2004 and fronted the modern alternative rock band "Missing Dave" for a year before securing a gig as the jazz headliner on the Star of Honolulu dinner cruise. at the same time, starr continued to develop her craft was a member of the R&B group "Eight-o-eight" as well as funk band "Toyz of Pleasure." four years ago she finally met her "musical accomplice" and accompanist kit ebersbach (don tiki) and the two along with bassist dean taba released starr's debut cd SALT which won her the 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano awards for Most Promising Artist and Jazz Album of the Year. Starr is now working on several musical projects this year spanning the musical genre landscape from new modern Hawaiian music, to big band, to hot new alternative tracks. The Music is always, everywhere, all around, ever moving, ever healing.
“2012 Na Hoku Hanohano award winner for ‘Most Promising Artist’ and ‘Jazz Album of the Year’, Starr Kalahiki takes to the stage with an enigmatic flourish.
Sounding like she could jump on stage on Broadway or bring the house down at a packed stadium, Starr’s personality shines through her powerful voice.
Quirky, fun and riding the gratitude train, she introduces us proudly to her cousin, Emma Coloma-Nakano who shows what a bass solo is all about.”
E Travel Blackboard
“Kalahiki, seductively sensational in her glittery short dress, was every bit a “Cool Yule” hottie — and a bona fide Starr, earning a hana hou in an “Oh, Happy Day” gospel romp with The Caz and the ohana of dancers who double as singers.”
Wayne Harada - Honolulu Star Advertiser
“Winner of two Na Hoku Hanohano awards: Most Promising Artist and Best Jazz Album, Starr Kalahiki has been singing for as long as she can remember.”
smoothjazzbuzz
“Next, Starr Kalahiki wowed me with her rendition of The Girl from Ipanema ... in Portuguese. A nice touch indeed.”
Deston Nokes - www.examiner.com
“Review: ‘Salt’ a sweet solo debut for Kalahiki”
John Berger - Honolulu Star Advertiser
“On Jan. 26, Honolulu's jazz scene heats up when Last Saturday Roots in Jazz kicks off with an all-star ensemble featuring two-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning chanteuse Starr Kalahiki.”
www.honolulujazzscene.com
“Siren songstress Starr Kalahiki
For a local girl raised in Moanalua, vocalist Starr Kalahiki’s musical memories from childhood are anything but ordinary.”
Kai Anderson - Modern Luxury Hawaii
“Queen’s legacy inspires modern musical stars
”
Elizabeth Kieszkowski - star advertiser
“Kalahiki breaks out into her own music”
Gary Chun - Honolulu Star Bulletin
