Following a sold-out appearance at The Back Room in March, Steel Guitar Hall of Famer Bobby Black returns with “Hawaiian Paradise,” an enchanted evening of Hawaiian steel guitar, hapa-haole classics, and hula dances. Bobby will be playing his favorite Hawaiian songs, backed by special guest musicians, singers, and hula dancers, with an opening set by Bay Area Hawaiian band Haopinaka.
Bobby Black is the living legend of West Coast pedal steel guitar. Born in 1934, Bobby’s long career spans includes performing and recording with classic country artists (George Jones, Jim Reeves) through country-rock (Commander Cody, New Riders of the Purple Sage) and the Western Swing revival (Asleep at the Wheel, Lost Weekend). But Bobby’s other passion is Hawaiian music. As a child, his parents took him to the famous Tonga Room at The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where he saw the legendary Sol K. Bright on steel guitar, and he was hooked. Bobby went on to perform with many icons of Hawaiian music, including Cyril Pahinui, Genoa Keawe, Dennis Kamakahi, Jerry Byrd, Richard Ho’opi’i, Benny Kalama, and George Kahumoku. In 2012, he released an album of Hawaiian music, Steel Guitar Paradise.
Bobby will be backed by Bay Area jazz veterans including Myles Boisen (Tom Waits, Club Foot Orchestra) and Tony Marcus (Cheap Suit Serenaders, Laurie Lewis). Special guest singers include Maurice Tani (77 El Deora), Sheilani Alix (Sheilani Alix Quartette, Kurt Ribak Trio), Kathy Sparling (Dodge’s Sundodgers), Jill Rogers (Crying Time, Imperial Jazz Co.), and others.
Opening the show will be Bay Area Hawaiian band Haopinaka (Vanessa Alputila, Sil Castillo, Peter Garellick, and Rod Valdez) who have been performing at Aloha festivals, hula competitions, and hundreds of backyard luaus for over 20 years. They just returned from performing at The Royal Hawaiian in Hawaii. The evening will also feature hula performances by Leilani Chow, Kalena Gregory, Hui Hula O Na Pu’u I Ka Noe, and others.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, general admission; $15 for Students with ID. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available at the link below, or you may purchase your tickets at the door the night of the show. Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash only at the door (ATMs are nearby).
The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage with no additional corkage fee. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-654-3808. Thank you for your support!