Honolulu Jazz Quartet
HJQ, 2004, CD
Instrument: Instrumental
Issue: 10.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: We were surprised by the excellent quality of this Hawaiian quartet. We expected more of a tropical groove with bottlenecking guitars… But this is a straight-ahead set of new music, no covers! It is evidence of a vibrant jazz scene in Hawaii. The band is Tim Tsukiyama (sax), Dan Del Negro (p), John Kolivas (b) and Adam Baron (d). Kolivas is the composer of all but two of the ten songs. Del Negro wrote “Keahi” and “Cozumel”. They have performed as a unit for many years and it shows. They are tight, balanced and share the stage, deferring to the music as the star. The HJQ would win jazz hearts anywhere. This is their debut recording and it’s sure to expand their audience!
