Hawaiian guitarists to take the stage for a Rochesterfest tribute to Chuck Hazama
Taking the stage for the final night of Rochesterfest 2022 are a pair of highly-acclaimed musicians from The Aloha State.
George Kahumoku Jr. and Peter deAquino will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Soldiers Field Park stage as part of the Global Music Series, presented by Rochester Civic Music. The concert is free to attend.
The idea to invite Kahumoku, often referred to as Hawaii’s Renaissance Man, back to Rochester was made earlier in the year as a way to pay tribute to former Mayor Chuck Hazama, who died last year. A native of Hawaii, Hazama is credited for helping create Rochesterfest, now in its 39th year.
“In the planning for Rochesterfest each year, new ideas for activities and entertainment are planned,” said Judy Hickey, one of the organizers of Rochesterfest. “I have heard many wonderful stories about Mayor Hazama over the years. I thought it would be a true tribute to feature Hawaiian music at Rochesterfest in honor of Mayor Hazama.”
While Kahumoku has performed in Rochester before, this will be his first time here in the summer. The Grammy Award-winning artist is best known for playing the slack-key on a jumbo 12-string guitar — a tradition that has been passed on through his family for generations.
“Every family has their own tune, so we can tell where you are from just by listening to the guitar,” says Kahumoku. Many of his songs, he adds, “are about nature and the things around us — the ocean, the mountains, people, the food that we eat, and a sense of place and connection.”
When not on tour, Kahumoku lives a self-sufficient lifestyle on his family farm on the Hawaiian island of Maui. There, he raises hundreds of cattle, fishes, hunts, and hosts farm tours and large feasts.
Additionally, Kahumoku has worked with thousands of students across the world over the course of more than two decades. Among them is Peter deAquino, a ukulele player who will accompany him on stage Saturday.
As part of the Global Music program through Rochester Civic Music, Kahumoku and deAquino also spent time earlier this week playing for children at Ben Franklin Elementary School.
More information about the show, along with other concerts happening throughout the summer, visit the Rochester Civic Music website.
About the Global Music Series
The purpose of the Global Music Series is to foster among community members an appreciation for music, develop future audience, patrons and contributors for the arts and introduce the community to a variety of musical instruments and genres. Each of the artists engaged are meritorious Global Music artists of national or international importance. The vision of this project will enable Civic Music to contribute to a fuller understanding of diverse cultural points of view, helping citizens gain insight into how they define their broader community and themselves.
