About Sistah Robi
Music has always filled Sistah Robi's life. It is a part of her roots. Robi's multi-cultural, multi-lingual background is also reflected in her music, which ranges from soft Hawaiian rhythms to funky reggae beats, from American pop songs to Polynesian traditionals. As long as it feels good, as long as it's fun, she sings it -in her own special way. Robi was an essential part of the incredible group of talent that made up the Hawaiian Style Band. She was the featured vocalist on the first two albums on 1992’s Vanishing Treasures, and Rhythm of the Oceanin 1994. HSB consisted of Robi, Wade Cambern, and Bryan Kessler. Robi has since had a very successful solo career, with her albums earning her multiple Hōkū awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. Her collaborative project with Sean Na‘auao was among the finalists for a GRAMMY® Award. Robi has appeared as featured guest vocalist more often than any Hawaiian recording artist and has toured and performed with legends like Keali‘i Reichel, the Ka‘au Crater Boys, Hapa, Willy K, Henry Kapono, and the Makaha Sons, with whom she was blessed with not one, but two performances at Carnegie Hall. Robi's love for the children, the land, and life itself are themes always present in her songs. Her musical style ranges from Hawaiian, to reggae, blues, jazz and R&B, with lyrics in English, Hawaiian, Tahitian and French. No doubt, Sistah Robi has held her spot as one of Hawaii’s most recognized voices for the past two decades.
About the Hawaiian Style Band Quartet
In the early ’90s, Hawaiian Style Band, led by Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern, redefined contemporary Hawaiian music. They offered a fresh musical perspective on local culture with original compositions about living Hawaiian style—about island romance, talking story, ‘ohana, and sovereignty. Their interpretation of Hawaiian language songs re-acquainted music fans with these important compositions.
The multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning band was conceptualized as a revolving band, a collaboration of more than fifty musicians over the course of its three albums: Vanishing Treasures, Rhythm of the Ocean, and ‘Ohana. Participants included Hawaiian music notables Israel Kamakawiwaʻole; Bla, Cyril, and Martin Pahinui; Fiji; Teresa Bright; the Ka‘au Crater Boys; Del Beazley, and Robi Kahakalau.
For the 26th anniversary celebration of Vanishing Treasures, Robi joins Bryan and Wade in delivering the distinctive vocal harmony of Hawaiian Style Band. Robi has since released five solo albums, earning her multiple Hōkū awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. Her collaborative project with Sean Na‘auao was among the finalists for a Grammy Award. Robi has appeared as featured guest vocalist more often than any Hawaiian recording artist and has toured and performed with legends like Keali‘i Reichel, the Ka‘au Crater Boys, Hapa, Willy K, Henry Kapono, and the Makaha Sons, with whom she was blessed with not one, but two performances at Carnegie Hall. No doubt, Sistah Robi has held her spot as one of Hawaii’s most recognized voices for the past two decades.
Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern wrote and produced Hawaiian Style Band's first three albums. Bryan has gone on to produce and perform on twelve albums in Japan and Hawaii. He contributed a selection to the 2005 compilation album Slack Key Volume 2 which went on to win Hawaii's first Grammy Award. As an active guitarist, he's toured with Nā Leo, Jake Shimabukuro, Hawaii Pops, and Lion King, as well other artists from pop to jazz. Bryan has developed a playing style that reflects both the Hawaiian Islands and the urban sound of Philadelphia, his homeland.
While immediately recognizable as Robi’s duet partner in “Love and Honesty,” Wade Cambern has enjoyed a rich career as composer and lyricist of beloved songs such as “Let’s Talk Story,” “Rhythm of the Ocean,” “Live A Little,” and “Love and Honesty.” Wade Cambern has collaborated with many of Hawaii’s iconic musical figures, including Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole with whom he and Bryan co-wrote “Living In A Sovereign Land.” He has also arranged new renditions of Hawaiian standards such as “No Ke Ano Ahiahi,” “Kaimana Hila,” and “Wahine ‘Ilikea.” The sounds and themes of life in Hawaii profoundly influenced Wadeʻs musical identity in his solo album A Blue Canoe and the 2014 Hōkū-nominated Hawaiian Style Band album Hānau Hou, co-produced with Garin Poliahu.
Performing hits from their first two CDs as well as songs from each of their solo CDs, Bryan, Wade, and Robi will be joined by bassist, Alex Morrison as Hawaiian Style Band Quartet 2018.
Above: Watch Hawaiian Style Band’s Songs, Maunaloa, Rhythm of the Ocean, The First Hawaiian, & Tailgate Jam
You can learn more about the Hawaiian Style Band on their website at www.hawaiianstyleband.com