Jazz & Blues Pub Crawl Coming to Front Street

By Madeline Ziecker

Saxophonist Marlon Meadows. Courtesy photo.

Maui Jazz Society presents the Second Annual 2012 Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk from Friday, April 13 until Sunday, April 15 in Lahaina.

Springtime is the season of festivals and concerts –  music events like Austin, Texas’ SXSW (South by Southwest) and California’s Coachella 2012 are popping up all over the US to usher in the season of celebration and new music.

Maui is following suit with events like the Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk, designed as a musical ‘pub crawl’ where jazz and blues lovers travel to several bars and venues to see some of the island’s best musicians perform.

So far, nine venues are participating in the festival. Nearly 20 visiting and local bands and soloists are prepared to jazz up Front Street over the course of the weekend.

Last year’s festival was popular, bringing approximately 3,000 people to Front Street over the three-day event.

Ron Metoyer, vice president of the Maui Jazz Society, says that the organization was dormant until last year, but with the success of the inaugural Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk they have become more active and have decided to make Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk an annual event.

Some artists to get excited about in this year’s ‘walk’ are saxophonists Marion Meadows and Paul Taylor, Oahu Jazz quintet Hot Club of Hulaville, and California’s bluesy Jenny Kerr.

One of the best parts of the event  is that most participating venues will host their shows for free.

The current line-up for the three day festival is as follows, but is subject to later additions/changes.

Courtesy Image.

Pioneer Inn –  Hot Club of Hulaville from 6-9 p.m.

Longhi’s Lahaina – Mike Bouno, John Zangrando, Shiro Mori and Dough White from 6-8 p.m then David Choy & Slam from 9-11 p.m.

Hard Rock Cafe – Robbie Ray Jazz from 5-8 p.m. on the patio and then Latin Jazz Messengers from 8-11 p.m.

Captain Jack’s – Bob Jones & The Drive from 8-10 p.m.

Blue Lagoon – Benoit Jazz Works from 4-6 p.m.

Kimo’s – Willie K from 9-11 p.m.

David Pail’s Island Grill – Keoki Ruiz Trio from 5-7:30 p.m.

Campbell Park – Phil Smith and The Gentlemen of Jazz from 5-7 p.m.

Courtesy Image.

Saturday, April 14

Pioneer Inn – Hot Club of Hulaville from 6-9 p.m.

Longhi’s –  Slam, Marion Meadows and an after party with Fulton Tashombe’s Maui All-Star Jazz Band

Hard Rock Cafe – Soul Congress featuring Clay Mortensen from 5-7 p.m.

Captain Jack’s – Ono Grimes from 5 to 7 p.m.

Blue Lagoon – Sal Godinez and Bob Harrison from 4-6 p.m.

Kimo’s: Band and time to be announced.

Maui Grown Coffee Company: Lahainaluna Jazz Band from 4-5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 15

Lahaina Banyan Tree Park – R.E. Metoyer Blues and Rock & Soul Revue from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Sam Ahia Quartet from 1:15-2:45 p.m., and Fulton Tashombe’s Maui All-Star Jazz Band from 3-4:30 p.m.

For more information on the Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk 2012, email the Maui Jazz Society at [email protected].