Weekend Round-Up: Taj Mahal, ELIGH, Willie K.

By Madeline M. Ziecker

Maestro album cover.

TAJ MAHAL & THE HULA BLUES BAND Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Castle Theater. Tickets $40, $50, $60.

Blues and roots music legend Taj Mahal will perform Friday night with The Hula Blues Band at the MACC. 

Taj Mahal’s music has spanned the globe for over four decades, incorporating styles from almost every place he visits, including West Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Hawaiian Islands.

When Taj moved to Kaua’i in 1981, he began performing with The Hula Blues Band and has been part-time touring with them ever since. Together, Taj and the band recorded Taj Mahal and the Hula Blues Band – Sacred Island. 

The other seven members of The Hula Blues Band include: Pancho Graham (acoustic bass, background vocals), Kester Smith (drums), Pat Crocket (ukulele, background vocals), Michael Barretto (baritone ukulele, background vocals), Wayne Jacintho (tenor Ukulele, background vocals), Fred Lunt (Hawaiian steel guitar) and Rudy Costa (tenor saxophone, curved soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, kalimba, piccolo flute, clarinet, background vocals).

Tonight Taj and the band will celebrate his newest album, Maestro, which is also his first domestic release in five years.

This is not Taj Mahal’s first performance on Maui, nor will it be his last, but if tonight you’re in the mood for Hawaiian blues, tickets for tonight’s performance are still available for purchase at the MACC’s box office.

THE GROUCH PRESENTS: ELIGH Saturday, October 15 at 9:30 p.m. at Casanova in Makawao.

Casanova event flyer.

Entrance fee $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Eligh, a hip-hop/rap artist from Los Angeles, has included Maui in his three-stop mini-tour of Hawaii.

Though he is currently focusing on solo work, Eligh is also an integral member of the world famous hip-hop group Living Legends along with The Grouch, who is hosting the event.

On Saturday night at Casanova, Eligh will perform songs from his most recent solo album Grey Crow alongside DJ Fresh, another “living legend.”

Eligh shares all the qualities of  his fiery hip-hop/rap Living Legends companions, but what sets him aside is the potency of his lyrics. Grey Crow, for example, is Eligh’s raw testament of his past struggles with drug addiction, which almost killed him years ago. The vulnerability of his lyrics paired with his bitter-sweet, rhythmic melodies and spitfire performance style produces a sound that appeals to fans of all corners of the expansive genre of hip-hop.

Warehouse Blues album cover.

WILLIE K WAREHOUSE BLUES CD RELEASE PARTY AND BIRTHDAY Sunday, October 16 at Wailuku Business Center from noon-4 p.m. Free. 

Willie K will host a three-in-one event for the Maui community, “A Grand Celebration Willie K Style.”

The first part of the event will include the grand openings of both “Uncle Willie’s Kloset,” Willie’s store that specializes in large clothing and accessories, and his recording studio Maui Tribe Records.

The event is also a celebration of Willie K’s new CD release, Warehouse Blues, and his birthday.

Food and drink specials will include free Willie K ribs as well as grinds from Watercress and Waiehu Superstop.

The celebration will also include free children’s activities, raffles, KPOA giveaways, and crafts.