The late American musician Bill Monroe said that bluegrass music has brought together more people and made more friends than any other type of music in the world. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu welcomes Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum back to the stage.
Lewis and Rozum are regarded by many to be among some of the best bluegrass artists in the country.
Lewis, a songwriter, fiddler, vocalist, teacher and producer, grew up in Berkeley, California. Her father was an accomplished flute player who encouraged his children to play a musical instrument. However, after a bad experience with piano at the tender age of 7, and six years of classical violin, Lewis almost gave up music altogether until she discovered the Berkeley Folk Festival.
“At the Berkeley Folk Festival you could hear all kinds of music, and it just really grabbed me,” she said. “That was the first place I heard Doc Watson, the first place I heard Jean Ritchie, maybe the first bluegrass band I heard, the Greenbriar Boys. And then there was Jesse Fuller and Rev. Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt. It just totally busted my ears open and got me really excited about folk music as a teenager.”
Lewis met Rozum, a mandolin player, in 1986 when he joined Lewis’ band, Grant Street. They formed a musical partnership and since have recorded more than 20 albums together.
Their latest release, “The Hazel and Alice Sessions” has been nominated for a 2017 Bluegrass Grammy Award.
“I’m kind of shy, so I never imagined myself playing with someone as big as Hazel Dickens or Alice Gerrard,” said Lewis. “I have to say it’s a real highlight of my career.”
Lewis and Rozum have played at Aloha Theatre for almost 20 years and are looking forward to bringing their music back to Hawaii Island for their annual “Aloha Tour.”
Lewis is still in awe of her musical journey and humbly describes the experience of sharing the stage with some of her musical heroes.
“I was kind of a late bloomer and never imagined I would be in a band before actually being in a band,” she said. “I never dreamed I would share the stage with Ralph Stanley of the Stanley Brothers. They just seemed like they were from another world and another time. I did end up touring with Ralph Stanley — playing fiddle with him and singing with him every night.”
“For many years, this has been a must-attend event for many people on the island,” she said. “So if you haven’t seen us yet, maybe this is the year to do it and see what the fuss is all about.”
Tickets are $25 general admission and can be purchased online at www.apachawaii.org or by calling 322-7384.