Ledward Kaapana

• Genre: Hawaii

About

One of the true modern masters of Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar, Ledward Kaapana has broadened the scope of the style while helping preserve its traditions. Kaapana re-tunes the guitar to an open chord and sets his right hand on autopilot, fingerpicking in a style that would make old-time blues masters nod with approval. His sweet, pulsating falsetto adds traditional melodies -- though not without revealing outside influences -- from rock and jazz to blues and country. Frequent tours have helped spread Slack-Key Guitar to many new areas, and collaborations with diverse artists, including new age pianist George Winston, slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and bluegrass fiddler Alison Krauss, have also widened Kaapana's audience.

- Jessy Terry