The Inimitable Mr. Ledward Kaapana (NorCal Shows)

Welcome to Kaleponi Records, my musical home on the web. My name is Fran Guidry, and I play kika ki hoʻalu or Hawaiian slack key guitar.

Kaleponi is the Hawaiian word for California, where I live. Ki hoʻalu, or slack key, has a direct link to California history. The guitar was carried to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi by vaqueros from California. You can read more about the history of slack key guitar on the Dancing Cat Records web site.

Slack key guitar is named for the retuning that characterizes the style. Most of these new tunings feature loosened, or slackened, strings which give a deep rich sound.

My personal slack key history goes back to 1999 and my first visit to Hawaiʻi. When we turned on the TV in our Waikiki hotel room I was captivated by the playing of Keola Beamer. I knew in an instant that I had to learn to play this beautiful music. Over the years I've learned from great players and teachers like Ozzie Kotani, Keola himself, Patrick Landeza, Kevin Brown, Cyril Pahinui, Kawika Kahiapo, Raymond Kane, Dennis Kamakahi, and Ledward Kaapana.

The Inimitable Mr. Ledward Kaapana (NorCal Shows)

Sunday, July 16th, 2017

Led has been busy since he left Hawai`i at the beginning of July. He performed at the Library of Congress and at Kennedy Center. We’re lucky enough to have a video of his Kennedy Center show along with a list of upcoming shows in the greater SF Bay Area.

After these prestigious venues, he headed to southern California for a few shows, and now he’s coming to the greater Bay Area. You can keep always keep track of Led’s shows by visiting his concert calendar but here are the ones coming up in our neighborhood.

On Wednesday, July 19 he’ll be at Don Quixote’s in Felton, show starts at 7:30 PM.

For the remainder of the shows I’ll be opening for Led, always a thrill and an honor.

On Thursday, July 20 he has two shows at the Blue Note Napa. The first show is at 7:00 PM, second at 9:30.

Friday, July 21 we’ll head to the Palms Playhouse in the charming orchard town of Winters where the show starts at 8:00 PM.

On Saturday, July 22 we’ll play at The Cue in Concord, a beloved venue that has hosted so many Hawaiian artists. They’ll have a plate lunch dinner starting at 6:30, the show will start at 7:30 PM.

Led will have his Na Hoku award winning `ukulele instrumental CD, Jus’ Press, Vol. 2 and he’ll be playing some of those songs on his gorgeous Chuck Moore `ukulele.

It’s always great to hear Led’s latest stories and hot licks, I hope you’ll be able to join us for one of these shows.

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