They’ve been staples of the entertainment scene for decades, but they’ve never worked together. Till now.
A pair of Filipino headliners – crooner Martin Nievera, a favorite in Hawaii and a superstar in the Phillipines, and saxophonist Michael Paulo, a beloved star on the jazz front – will team up for their first concert together at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra. A VIP meet-and-greet reception, from 7 to 8 p.m., will be precede the concert.
The two share another commonality: Both Nievera and Paulo are sons of notable performers. Nievera’s dad is the late balladeer Roberto Nievera, a former luminary in the Society of Seven group that helped put the Outrigger Waikiki’s Main Showroom on the map for decades, and Paulo’s pop is the famed pianist Rene Paulo, a headliner with wife Akemi on the lounge and show circuit for decades before their retirement.
The gig is being staged by Paulo’s Apaulo Production company, and he has been a frequent jazz headliner in Waikiki, hosting jazz peers over the decades.
Nievera, who has not performed in the islands for three years, will bring his stable of pop and Filipino tunes that he has shared in gigs in his now-home, the Philippines, where Nievera is billed as “the concert king of the Philippines,” as well as his shows in Las Vegas and New York. Most recently, he gigged at the Blue Note Hawaii located in the Outrigger Waikiki, where the wannabe singer spent several years watching his dad perform with his “Uncle” Tony Ruivivar, a co-founder of the SOS show band.
Paulo has performed locally and internationally and recorded with a roster of jazz giants, including Miles Davis, Al Jarreau and Herbie Hancock and has concertized with legendary R&B and pop artists including James Ingram, Jeffrey Osborne, Deniece Williams, Kenny Loggins, Bobby Caldwell and many others.
Participating musicians will be Tateng Katindig, keyboards; Johnny Valentine, electric guitar, David Inamine, bass, Michael Grande, keyboards, Garin Poliahu, drums; and a horn section featuring DeShannon Higa, trumpet.
Rocky Brown and Annamarie Love will be backup singers, with Al Waterson emceeing.
In a statement, Nievera said, “I get to share the stage with an all-star band hand-picked by world-renowned saxophonist Michael Paulo, one of the coolest, down-to-earth superstars I know.’
He added, “Let’s make some new memories for the new year – 2022 – in Honolulu!”
Tickets: VIP tables are $250, which includes a meet-and-greet cocktail reception from 7 to 8 p.m.; $75 for reserved seating; and $60 for general admission seating (theater-style). Visit www.TIX.com or call (951) 696-0184.
A slice of ‘American Pie’
Barring a last-minute rescheduling, depending on the unpredictable COVID-19 and Omicron variant that could alter show protocols, look for Don McLean to return to Blue Note Hawaii Jan. 28 to 30. It’s a make-up engagement for postponed dates.
McLean, noted for his mammoth 1971 hit song “American Pie,” which chronicles real-life figures in the rock era, is slated to return to Blue Note. Two earlier playdates had to be rescgheduled because of the pandemic, which shut down clubs including the venue at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.
While tickets now are on sale ($115 for VIP seating, $85 for table and bar area), previous tickets purchased before the postponement are still useable with possible complications for rescheduling and/or cancellations. However, this timetable will prevail:
- Tickets for the original April 3, Oct. 21, 2020 or July 15, 2021 playdates will be valid for the Jan. 28 show.
- Tickets bought for April 4, Oct. 22, 2020 or July 16, 2021 show are good for the Jan. 29 concert.
- Tickets purchased for April 5, Oct. 23, 2020 or July 17, 2021 date will be OK for the Jan. 30 performance. For adjustments, visit www.bluenotehawaii.com or call (808) 777-4890. …
And that’s Show Biz. …