Led Kaapana

Led is a musical legend, a National Heritage Fellow unrivaled in his exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and his extraordinary baritone to falsetto vocal range.
A delightful performer with kolohe (rascal) charm, Led boasts multiple Na Hoku (Hawaiian Music Awards), including Favorite Entertainer.

A master of the slack key guitar, Led Kaapana has been one of Hawai‘i's most influential musicians for four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and extraordinary baritone to leo ki'eki'e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a musical legend. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of “Led Heads” from Europe to Australia to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. In 2011, he was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship. Recognition by his peers earned Led four Grammy nominations in his own right and three Grammy wins on slack key compilations. He has won multiple N? H?k? Hanohano (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”) awards, including 2009 Favorite Entertainer of the Year.

“His fleet fingers, leaping phrases and seemingly boundless imagination for improvisation suggest a jazz influence...” The Seattle Times