Music and Culture blended well as ‘Sarjanians’ proudly welcomed the six-time GRAMMY Award winning producer and trailblazer in World Music, Daniel Ho and his band, on Thursday, 30th January 2020 in a forty five – minute one of a kind ‘Aloha’ music bonding featuring Ho’s original compositions including The Breakfast song, Pineapple Mango.
The performers, composed of Daniel Ho, a Honolulu native, Keali’I Ceballos, an acclaimed hula journeyman and a teacher at the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, Randy Drake, an accomplished drum set and percussion performer who holds Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, Steve Billman, a long – time instructor at the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena who played bass on the 2009 GRAMMY Award winning album ‘Ikena’ by Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, and Lydia Miyashiro – Ho, a very multi- talented Los Angeles native, captivated the approximately four hundred students and teachers with their creative rendition of Hawaiian ‘Ohana repertoire.
Daniel Ho’s incredible tenacity on ‘ukulele and cool vocals together with Randy Drake on drums/percussion and Steve Billman on bass, left the audience in awe, releasing deep sighs of admiration. Keali‘i Ceballos seemingly brought the crowd to Hawai‘ when he shared on ‘ohana (family) and food, and performed the hula dance. Indeed, it was a fine morning of entertainment and learning of new culture.
Seri Mulia Sarjana School is truly grateful to the US Embassy for making the event possible. Likewise, we are greatly indebted to the Daniel Ho Band for squeezing in performances in their tight schedule to give us a great show and experience an unforgettable moment, a moment of music, dance, culture and connection. Thank you very much!
