Keola Beamer/Geoffrey Keezer: Nahenahe Jazz

Hawai'i's premier slack key guitarist Keola Beamer recently collaborated with jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer for several tracks on Falling Up (Max Jazz Records). Beamer makes his Stanford Jazz Festival debut with Keezer to present their jazz take on “Nahenahe"—the heart and soul of relaxed island harmony. A descendent of one of Hawai'i's most illustrious musical lineages, Keola Beamer traces his roots to the island's royalty of the 15th century, and is best known for his classic composition “Honolulu City Lights.” Pianist Geoffrey Keezer has matured in the presence of giants, first joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at 18, then serving a lengthy apprenticeship with master bassist Ray Brown. Always in high demand, Keezer's recent gigs have included work with Christian McBride, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman, and Chick Corea.