HONOKAA — Blues master Johnny Nicholas and his all-star band — Hell Bent — from Austin, Texas will perform three shows on Hawaii Island this weekend, along with young musicians from Honokaa High School’s Dragon Jazz Band.
Friday night they will be on stage at Hilo Palace Theatre, 7 p.m. Saturday at Honokaa People’s Theatre and a final show from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Gertrude’s Jazz Bar in Kailua-Kona.
Led by Gary Washburn, music director of Grammy Foundation Award-winning Honokaa High School, the Dragon Jazz Band is a select group of students who’ve proven themselves as strong performers and ready for a professional music experience.
“The involvement of Gary’s very talented group of kids is a collaboration that has provided for a very exciting show and a tremendous learning experience for the fledgling Honokaa musicians,” Nicholas said, who has been involved in similar educational projects in Texas the last 20 years. “It is amazing to see what kids can do when they get involved and excited by musical stimulus and exposure of this nature and professional level.”
Nicholas and Hell Bent are no strangers to Hawaii, having toured under their own name, backed up by Delbert McClinton and Marcia Ball. Nicholas, described as one of the premier blues and roots music interpreters and artists alive today, has performed with blues legends such as B.B. King, Big Walter Horton and Johnny Shines, as well as a stint with Asleep At the Wheel. He was one of the lead singers, writers and multi-instrumentalist in the band when they won their first of many Grammy awards.
“The opportunity to tour and perform with Johnny Nicolas and Hell Bent offers many educational opportunities not normally offered in the high school education system,” Washburn said.
“Students work with and experience the real professional tour and road expectations and responsibilities. Setting up, sound checking, rehearsing while ‘on the road’ and interacting with professional musicians offers a great mentoring opportunity,” he continued. “When touring with Johnny and his band members in 2015, I witnessed them willingly tutor the young musicians to help improve their musicianship, inspire developing improvisational skills and have fun the same time.”
This year’s concert series will feature a new, all-female horn section — The Little Lady Band — including Terri Connors and Jeanne Altura on trumpet, Mollie Green on trombone and Zhanelyn Cacho on tenor saxophone. As an additional bonus at the Hilo Palace, popular saxophonist Randy Skaggs and his band, Soul on a Roll, will play a 30-minute set prior to the Dragon Jazz Band.
Tickets are available at the concert venues.
Info: Visit www.johnnynicholasblues.com.
