Composer, producer, teacher, and a leading exponent of the Hawaiian guitar style known as slack key, Patrick Kahakauwila Kamaholelani Landeza carries on the unique fingerpicking method developed in the 19th century by Hawaiian cowboys who loosened their guitar strings (or "slacked" them) for a lower, more resonant sound and developed new tunings to capture their unique feeling for the music. He's joined tonight by his ensemble—featuring steel guitarist Patti Maxine, acoustic bassist Matt Bohn, and Rhan Wilson on percussion—for an evening of traditional Hawaiian music and slack key, with a touch of bluegrass and swing, replete with Patrick's warm aloha spirit and outrageous stories . .. and of course, there will be hula!

Born to Hawaiian parents on what he calls "the island of Berkeley, California," Patrick cultivated his craft by studying slack key from masters like George Kuo and the late Ray Kane and Sonny Chillingworth, who have left their mark on his traditional-style playing. Patrick has dedicated his life to sharing this art form with the world: he's the recipient of the prestigious Kapalakiko Aloha Spirit award for his slack key work, and is the founder of The Institute of Hawaiian Music and Culture.