SoulMusicNews.com: Horn-driven soul, funk & jazz.

The lovely Jessica, and I, have been hanging in Waikiki for a week. Our best decisions: Make few plans, and stay for 10 days. The Sebring convertible was just a lucky get from Alamo Rent-A-Car because we arrived late in the evening.

The one commitment we made was to get together with a few friends from the Honolulu Chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). Dianna Shitanishi (Hawaii Weddings and Events) suggested we meet-up at the Dole Ballrooms, managed by our mutual friend, Mike Rabe (Creations in Catering). Seems Mike has a little hump-day (Wednesday & Thursday) music promotion going, called: Bump on the Hump.

Now Mike may be a world-class caterer, today, but in his past, he played a pretty mean trumpet. Names like Earth, Wind & Fire or Tower of Power, make him smile every time. Little did I know the musical surprise that awaited us, in the form of Powerhouse, a local 13-piece horn-rock band, led by the Funky Sax Man, Paul Stanley.

The setting is a beautiful ballroom, with a great performance stage and sound/lighting system. Mike has created a mid-week, after-work networking event, replete with Pau Hana Drink Specials, Ono Food and great music. We settled in as Powerhouse was setting up. and I went looking for the band leader, I found Paul and introduced myself. He smiled and said, “I know your work… Tower of Power and Strokeland.” I knew Jessica and I were in the right place.

Paul told me a great story about traveling to visit his Aunt, in the Bay Area, when he was in his teens. He drove her funky Toyota across to the East Bay and visited the music shop where Tower of Power band members had their horns serviced. Paul want to buy a mouthpiece, like Doc used. The store owner pulled out a half-dozen mouthpieces, but Paul didn’t have a sax with him to try them out. The store owner’s response, “Want to try it on one of Doc’s horns?”

Doc had one of his saxes serviced, but hadn’t yet picked it up. Paul didn’t need to be asked a second time. He tried out the mouthpiece on it, and made the purchase.

Today, Paul is still plying his musical craft and pursuing his passion through Powerhouse. Sporting a 6-piece horn section, including 3 trumpets, the band is fronted by veteran lead singer, Roy Yonashiro. After their Blood Sweat & Tears rendition of You Made Me So Very Happy, I leaned in to Jessica and said, “I sure would like to hear him sing So Very Hard To Go.” Good premonition. I got my wish in the second of three sets, and Roy lit it up!

One of the other highlights, as a Las Vegan, was to hear the band playing The Lon Bronson Allstar Band arrangement of Rare Earth’s I Just Want To Celebrate, from the Bronson Band live CD.

If you live in Honolulu, Support Your Local Horn Section. If you’re going to be visiting Honolulu, make plans to hear Powerhouse. Among other performances, Powerhouse is scheduled for two more nights at Bump on the Hump, Wednesdays, October 10th & 24th.

Andy Ebon - CEO of Soul

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