Honolulu Weekly

The Honolulu Jazz Quartet may be the hottest and coolest of the current island jazz scene. They celebrate the release of their second CD, Tenacity, with a concert next Tuesday at Punahou. The quartet is John Kolivas on bass, Dan Del Negro on piano, Tim Tsukiyama on sax and Adam Baron on drums. All are top session players, and together they form about the best jazz ensemble for which one could hope.

To be a pro jazz group, especially in Hawai’i, is no easy thing, and HJQ has hung together for six years now. They chose the title Tenacity as an homage to the group’s dedication. The album is edgier than the first CD and showcases each member’s superb improvisational skills. The members penned eight of the tunes, and added a cover from long-time friend Keola Beamer, ‘Real Old Style.’

The group’s first album, Sounds of the City, was well received nationally, including attention from acclaimed jazz writer Nat Hentoff (Wall Street Journal and Jazz Times), who volunteered to write up liner notes for this album. Hentoff inspired Kolivas as a youngster to pursue a jazz career with his book Jazz Country. Kolivas sent him a copy of the first CD, and more recently the tracks for Tenacity–both impressed Hentoff enough to prompt his participation. He closes his notes, ‘I only write liner notes for recordings that make me want to hear them again–and again. It is a privilege to celebrate the Honolulu Jazz Quartet.’

The show opens with a screening of the film Jazz & The Creative Act, made by Kolivas’ brother Robert Pennybacker and starring the quartet.

Punahou School’s Wo International Center (Luke Lecture Hall), Tue. 2/20, 8pm, $10 general, $7 students and seniors. [honolulujazzquartet.com], 923-3909