Dayan Kai: Originals, Roots, Blue & Jazz

Friday, May 16, 2025
Starts at 7:30pm
Run time: 115 minutes with no intermission

About the Show

Presented by ProArts Playhouse and Mana’o Radio

Join us for a one-of-a-kind musical journey delving into roots, blues and jazz music with the consummate Dayan Kai. Dayan will share fascinating stories of his life, original music, and favorites from several greats, including Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Dayan’s outstanding voice will be accompanied by finger style and slide guitar, harmonica, and the Yamaha grand piano.

Dayan (“DAY-uhn”) Kai is a true force of musical nature. An artist whose abilities and style know few bounds, Dayan is known for his soulful voice, powerful songwriting, and multi-instrumental prowess. “Dayan is perhaps one of the most complete and talented musicians . . . not only is he a dazzling multi-instrumentalist, but also a soulful vocalist with a stratospheric range and a poignant songwriter who knows how to heal with his compositions.”

Born on the island of Maui, Kai grew up between Hawaii and California. His extensive musical adventures have taken him across the country and the world. He has played on the main stage of numerous musical festivals in the US, Canada and Australia including the High Sierra Music Festival, the Kate Wolf Festival, the Sisters Folk Festival, the Blue Mountains Music Festival, and the Strawberry Music Festival. Dayan has also released several solo albums of his original music and is a Blue Coast recording artist.
Dayan served as the musical director and performed in Burn’n Love, which was the #1 show in the state for several years.

“Dayan Kai is a talent mightily personified and an absolute joy to experience.”

Photo Credit: Marcus Johnson