Jazz Maui and the South Maui Learning Ohana present “An Evening of Hawaiian Influenced Jazz”  from 5-7pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at The Altitude Deck, 650 Lipoa Parkway, Kihei. The evening features preshow entertainment by Na Ali’i Big Band and the 18-piece Jazz Maui Little Big Band directed by Chicago-based saxophonist Craig Roselieb. Special guests include vocalist Abra Joy and  Joel Katz on Hawaiian Steel Guitar. The Jazz Maui Little Big Band also features Paul January on trumpet and vocals, and vocalist Abra Joy. Other Maui musicians will include Jeff Hellmer, keyboard, Josh Hearl, guitar, Dave Graber, bass, Kevin Garland, drums, Dr. Joie Taylor, Nathan Shaw, and John Zangrano, saxophone, Cody Sarmiento, Julius Galento, and Mitchell Ota on trumpet, and Henry Arroyo, Daniel Weirich and Kamren Wakakuwa on trombone. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 students and are available at JazzMaui.org.

 Beginning with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and later with Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey, Hawaiian culture has influenced many jazz musicians and composers over the years.  The Jazz Maui Little Big Band’s performance features several  arrangements by these musicians, including "Swingtime in Honolulu" by Duke Ellington, "On a Coconut Island" by Louis Armstrong, "Hawaiian War Chant" by Tommy Dorsey, and "Pagan Love Song" by Glenn Miller. Special guest, Joel Katz his expertise on Hawaiian Steel Guitar, performing "Red Sails in the Sunset."   

 Craig Roselieb plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with the Belford Hernandez Quartet. This group has  recorded several of his original jazz compositions that have been rearranged for small jazz combos.  Craig retired in 2018 from a 33-year career teaching high school bands in Downers Grove, Illinois. Now an active jazz saxophonist, teacher, clinician and composer, Craig performs weekly on alto saxophone with the Pete Ellman Big Band NFP in Naperville, IL.  The band's latest album, “Live at The Venue” features eight of his original jazz big band compositions, and the group has recently shared the stage with several jazz artists including Jeff Coffin, Dave Weckl, Louis Dowdswell, Bob Reynolds, Ernie Watts, Brad Goode, Steve Wiest, and Tom “Bones” Malone.

 Jazz Maui, a branch of the 501(c)-3 nonprofit Arts Education for Children Group (www.aecg.org), provides opportunities for participation in high quality jazz music education and performances. Throughout the year Jazz Maui presents Sunset Jazz every Sunday and special concerts, clinics and classes held at various venues around the islands. Selected performances presented by Jazz Maui are live-streamed on the organization’s website: www.JazzMaui.org.  Jazz Maui supports the Pau Hana Series and Sessions from the Chocolate Factory every Friday in Lahaina.

 For tickets visit https:// www. JazzMaui.org and for more information text (808) 283-3576.

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