Jazz in the Forest: “Take Five with JP and the Jazztones”

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at 5:30pm

You are invited to come and enjoy a swinging evening of jazz theater at the Volcano Art CenterNiaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Road), May 10th at 5:30 pm.

 ” Jazz in the Forest”  season is beginning with a musical tribute to jazz greats, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, and creative guitarist Jim Hall, – both dynamic innovators in the jazz world. Perhaps better known is the Dave Brubeck.quartet, which played to audiences around the world, and to dozens – perhaps hundreds- of performances and recordings of concerts in international and scholastic recordings still available today. The sound of Paul Desmond’s Take Five is immediately recognizable to all jazz lovers, as well as elevator users, as the 5/4 rhythm has become identified with Desmond’s  “123-4 5” pattern, and even used for dancing in the ensuing years since its origin 50 years ago.  Even the long drum solo has become a classic, here to be reinterpreted by our fine drummer Owen Matsui.

Note that we waited until the fifth month to Take 5 in our popular jazz series here on the volcano, and Pele has graced us with lively announcements to our concert.  Along with Jean Pierre – JP – on  alto, will be guitarist – bassist – cellist- vocalist – etc. wizard Greg Shirley – tonight limiting himself to guitar, and master bassist in both classical and jazz worlds, Shawn Leavey, as well as Owen Matsui.

Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members)! Ticket holders will be able to purchase beer, wine, as well as pupu.

.

The Sounds of Niaulani Musical Forest Tour with Dina Kageler and Loren Brownlea

Join us for free family fun in the Hawaiian Rainforest. A 45-minute playful and educational event suitable for all ages. You will learn about distinctive Hawaiian native plants and environment through song and story by Dina Kageler and Loren Brownlea.  Adults and children of all ages are welcome, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This special event will begin at 9:30 am, at VAC Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. (19-4074 Old Volcano Road).

Jazz in the Forest:

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at 5:30pm

You are invited to come and enjoy a swinging evening of jazz theater at the Volcano Art CenterNiaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Road), June 14th, at 5:30 pm.

As we have expanded upon these past years of the Volcano Art Center “Jazz in the Forest” series, American jazz has included influences from every genre of classical orchestral  european to down home primitive solo performances – beginning in and around New Orleans over one hundred years ago.

In this exciting retrospective on June 14, we are focusing on shades of the color Blue, and the influences that color has made to our musical experiences.

Classical compositions such as Debussy’s “LA MER”  brought  oceanic color to the orchestra. and Bizet’s “Carmen” provided  repertoire which has been “jazzified” in many settings. The influence of Spanish musical colors has also been seen in the music of Joaquin Rodrigo, whose Concierto de Aranjuez was strongly featured in the Miles Davis “Sketches of Spain” recording.  George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” was one of the first and most important blending of classical and jazz influences , and his contributions of dozens of blues tinged compositions has enriched our popular music for the last 80 years.  We find ourselves “Falling in Love Again”, with the blues in various shades of pleasure and pain throughout our jazz and popular  musical songbooks.

On June 14th  JP and the Jazztones will explore and revisit some of the riches that we love and dance to today .  Please come to the Volcano Art Center for the next in our “Jazz in the Forest” celebrations.  We were not just  “Born to be Blue”,  just remember that “We got rhythm”! Everyday !

Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members)! Ticket holders will be able to purchase beer, wine, as well as pupu.

With warmest winter wishes and happiest holiday greetings, the Volcano Art Center welcomes all to the Annual Christmas in the Country celebration starting November 28th. Featuring the Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit that continues through December, 31st, 2025. Christmas in the Country promises an abundance of art and aloha to kick start your holiday season. VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building.  The festivities this year spill beyond the park into VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Both gallery locations will showcase the exquisite artwork Volcano Art Center has become known for year-round, plus you’ll find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments and decorations made by Hawai`i Island artists.  The concurrent Annual Wreath Exhibit presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional.