Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

How Makana Learned One of the World’s Rarest Guitar Styles

The Hawaii native’s introduction to music began with learning ukulele as a young boy – but he found his true inspiration when he caught a local TV show featuring Hawaiian slack-key guitar master Raymond Kaleoalohapoina’oleohelemanu Kāne and his young protégé Bobby Moderow Jr.

Performances and Artists

Lessons Learned from Singing with Prince, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson

Quickly recognizing the talent behind Hill’s passionate music fusing funk, soul and rock, Prince promptly produced her first album and became her musical mentor. Hill proceeded to open for Prince and tour extensively with him — all experiences she will never forget.

Performances and Artists

From Busking in Colorado to Touring Worldwide

Today, he looks back on an impressive career that includes touring the world with his band of Grammy-winning-and-nominated musicians. His group tops the Billboard charts with its predominantly instrumental melodies spanning a vast range of genres, including rock, jazz, world-fusion and more.