Alden Tokuzato Biography

Alden Tokuzato has been seen playing in a diversity of settings around town in Hawaii -- from playing beneath the open sky at renowned resorts such as the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu and the Koolina Beach Club on the west side of the island, to more formal venue setting such as the world famous Hanohano room in Waikiki. The second generation Japanese – American performer fell in love with music when as a teenager he would enjoy listening to his friends play music at gatherings. He soon formed close musical bonds with William Michimoto of Groove 30 and his calabash cousin through marriage, Chad Campbell of Awaloa Productions in Lanai City.

In his senior year in high school Alden joined his first band the Castle High School Polynesian Ensemble which included the Na Hoku Hanohano award winning, Hoku Zuttermeister. While still attending high school something special happened — Alden met his mentor and friend David Choy. Choy taught Alden how to listen to jazz music, and from then, Alden was hooked on jazz. Alden was also interested very much in improving his skills at the guitar and learning music theory so David recommended Alden seek out Jimmy Funai, an instuctor to an untold number of professionals. Alden studied with Funai for three years and still is on his quest of improvement.

Along the way Alden has studied with an abundance of great musicians such as the jazz great, Lyle Ritz. Additionally, Alden credits musicians such as Fred Schreuders, Volcano Choy, Bruce Hamada, David Inamine, Dean Taba, Robert Shinoda, John Kolivas, Tennyson Stephens, Abraham Lagrimas, Vernon Sakata, Noel Okimoto, Gabe Baltazar, Brian Robertshaw, Danny Otholt, Nando Suan, Harold Chang and others in helping him achieve the next step of improvement as a musician. He has also been able to play with and learn from authentic Hawaiian musicians such as Barry Kimokeo, Jerry Santos, Alika Odom, and Bernard Kalua.

Alden can also be seen playing on YouTube with his close personal friends Jared Balmores and Will Michimoto under the band name Groove 30. Like the rest of his peers on the Windward side of Oahu, Alden very much enjoyed listening to both traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music. Alden was enamored with Hui Ohana, Olomana, Kapena, C & K, The Kahauanu Lake Trio, The Sons of Hawaii, and the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau.

With the help of his friend David Choy and others, he added to these a plethora of musical influences such as Micahel Brecker, David Sanborn, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Joe Pass, Joh Schofield, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern, Hiram Bullock, Tower of Power, Alan Holdsworth, Barney Kessel, Ivan Lins, Toots Thielmans, Jimmy Hendrix, Mike Miller, Michael Landau, Grant Green, Kirk Whalum, John Patitucci, Pat Martino, Stanley Turrentine, Jaco Pastorius, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Eric Gale, Marcus Miller, Sonny Rollins, and many, many more.

Kaimana Hila CD

The album Kaimana Hila is about songs that Alden and his audiences have mutually loved. A portion of the album was meant to be reminiscent of old Waikiki in which the Jazz hawaiian hybrid musician such as Henry Allen and Danny Otholt were prevelant...

Groove 30

Alden Tokuzato joins Jared Balmores and William Michimoto to form the band, Groove 30. "Just a group of guys from Hawaii that pass the time away playing music," says lead singer Jared. Groove 30 first took the musical stage together in 1997 -- just one...

Kaimana Hila

The music on the album, Kaimana Hila , infuses alternate chord changes and swing rhythms into the songs to create melodies that are both beautifully and distinctly Hawaiian. Alden has attempted to vary chord changes with subtlety, while at the same time trying to make pronounced his personal value of making things swing. This can be heard on title tune, "Kaimana Hila," Track No. 3. For a few years prior to Alden’s recording the song, Lahaina Luna (Track No. 1), Alden had fallen in love with one of his all time favorite guitarist’s album "Save the Moon," by Mike Miller. To Alden, the music had the ability to take listeners on a musical journey, an ability that had rubbed off on him and on the song Lahaina Luna.

James Taylor was from a long time before, one of Alden’s absolute favorite singers and Don’t’ Let Me Be Lonely Tonight is one of Alden’s absolute favorite songs. So why wouldn’t Alden include the song on his debut album? Alden had also had the privilege to see James Taylor with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Taylor had done a pop rendition of The Way You Look Tonight, Track No. 8, which amazed Alden. Hence, Alden had decided to likewise do a pop - influenced rendering of this song, which he dedicates to his wife, Rachelle.

Overall, Alden has endeavored that his album Kaimana Hila be one of "easy-listening, promoting a peaceful atmosphere." Alden humbly hopes that you will take a liking to, at least, some of the musical decisions that he has made on this project. He sincerely thanks you with a robust "Mahalo!" for visiting his work on-line.

Groove 30

Alden Tokuzato joins Jared Balmores and William Michimoto to form the band, Groove 30. "Just a group of guys from Hawaii that pass the time away playing music," says lead singer Jared. Groove 30 first took the musical stage together in 1997, just one day after each of the three members all met for the first time. They've gone from acquaintances to bandmates to friends and to brothers.

Different musicians have passed through the lineup of this band as the years went by, all of whom helped put Groove 30 where it is today.  Having played together for years, the musical changes they've gone through are a result of the band maturing together.  A wide array of musical influences is at the base of what each member brings to the group.

Jared says, "We're not being so preoccupied with what kind of song it is or who sings it or writes it but just what we all agree sounds good."

Having gone through a lot in their lives as a band and as individuals, Jared says playing in Groove 30 "is less about making other people happy than it is about staying friends."

Groove 30 has played just about everywhere and for everything. Gigging around town every weekend and flying here and there isn't the norm for them anymore but they're always looking for the time to pick up where they last left off. Who knows what's going to happen next.

PHONE AND EMAIL

(808) 778-1196

alden@aldentokuzato.com

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