Almost Home (2024)
Almost Home was the debut album by the jazz quartet Groovology. It is filled with variety: thoughtful solos, joyful grooves, and inventive originals.
Groovology was formed during the pandemic with artists based in Honolulu, Hawai’i. It comprised four talented and busy musicians: Aaron Aranita on woodwinds and piano, David Yamasaki on guitar, Ernie Provencher on bass, and Scott Shafer on drums. The four musicians perform their own fresh and original compositions on Almost Home with four composed by Aranita, two each by Shafer and Yamasaki, and one from Provencher. Due to the group’s high level of musicianship, Almost Home features an impressive variety that explores many moods and styles.
Hawaii 5/4 represents a bridge between two important chapters of my life—the many years I spent in the San Francisco Bay Area and my new life in Hawaiʻi.
For this recording, I had the opportunity to bring together wonderful musicians from both places. The album became a musical meeting point between the Bay Area and Honolulu, bringing together friends and musicians whose creativity and spirit helped shape the sound of this project.
Representing the Bay Area are David Belove on bass, Paul Van Wageningen on drums, Murray Low on piano, John Santos on percussion, and Michael Spiro on percussion.
From Honolulu, I was fortunate to work with Aaron Aranita on piano, Peter Factora on drums, Miles Jackson on bass, Jean St. Onge on percussion, and Sandy Tsukiyama on vocals. The Maryknoll Grade School Choir also contributed to the recording, adding another special dimension to the music.
Making this album was a way of connecting my past with my new home. The Bay Area musicians brought with them the musical relationships and experiences that had been such an important part of my life, while the Honolulu musicians brought the energy and spirit of Hawaiʻi.
Hawaii 5/4 is, in many ways, a musical bridge—a celebration of where I had been, where I was going, and the people I was fortunate enough to meet along the way.
Mahalo to everyone who helped make this recording possible and to everyone who continues to listen.
Hawaii 5/4 (2011)
From Me to You was my first recording as a leader and a very meaningful milestone in my musical journey.
The album reflects the years I spent living and making music in the San Francisco Bay Area. It features several of my original compositions alongside three songs that I chose to make my own. Together, these tracks capture a period of my life filled with friendships, musical exploration, and the many experiences that shaped me as a guitarist and musician.
I was fortunate to have some wonderful musicians join me for this recording. Kenny Penalver is featured throughout the album, with the exception of the final track. His musical voice and contribution are an important part of the sound of this recording.
I am also grateful to Tom Miller on drums on Track 1; Melecio Magdaluyo on saxophone on Track 5; Ron Stallings on saxophone on Track 6; Steve Kim on bass; and Michael Spiro on percussion on Track 8.
Looking back, From Me to You represents much more than my first album as a leader. It is a musical snapshot of my life in the Bay Area and of the people who shared that journey with me.
To all of the musicians, friends, and listeners who were part of that chapter of my life—thank you.
This music is from me to you.
