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Taylor’s dreamy voice is a singular wonder. He grew up in Andover, Mass., secretly listening to his older siblings’ Beatles and Stones records. “They had an acoustic guitar I wasn’t supposed to touch, too,” says Taylor. “One rainy Saturday when I was in seventh grade, I sat in my room with their guitar and an Eagles songbook.” Taylor taught himself to play guitar from the book, but the problems with having such a narrow repertoire quickly became apparent—especially when he played with others. “They’d say ‘Hey, do you know ‘Iron Man?’” says Taylor with a chuckle, “and I’d say, ‘No. Do you know ‘Witchy Woman?’”

Check Melvern's CD: Fabuloso on iTunes

Fabuloso is a 12 track compilation of songs featuring “Angel on My Shoulder,” “Sad and Blue,” “It’s Not My Fault,” and “You and Me (and my Ukulele),” is Taylor’s third release, and promises to be the best as of yet. Taylor’s silky vocals, addictive melodies, and well-suited ukulele provide the album with a fresh, honest, and unique pop sound.

More information available on artist's web site.

During the summer of 1980, I traveled to Japan for the first time with Hula Halau Puka’ikapuaokalani, Kumu Hula Ellen Castillo. We entertained in Japan at various locations for 5 weeks. In 1983, The Side Order Band began playing at the well-known Willow’s Restaurant on O’ahu. We performed Monday through Saturday nights for little over a year. During this time, we traveled with Governor George Ariyoshi and members of the Hawai’i Visitor’s Bureau to Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore to promote tourism in Hawai’i. The most memorable highlight for me was performing for the King of Malaysia.

In 1985, I began my career at the United States Postal Service (USPS) and I am currently at the Downtown Station. Between 1985 through 1990, I choose to limit my music engagements to a minimum to focus on my new employment, marriage and starting a family.

In August 1991, I began performing with local entertainer Karen Keawehawai’i in the Marlin Room at the Pacific Beach Hotel along with Ku’uipo Kumukahi, Chris Kamaka and Greg Sardinha for about two years. I returned to Japan performing with Karen Keawehawai’i under the coordination of Mr. Yasuhiko Ariga (U’ilani Productions) in 1993. Since then I have performed in Japan on numerous occasions with various Hawaiian music entertainers.

From 1994-1998, Ku’uipo Kumukahi, Chris Kamaka, Greg Sardinha and I played at the poolside at the Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel. I currently perform with Jerry Santos and Hōkū Zuttermeister at Chai’s Island Bistro at Aloha Tower on Monday’s for the past five years.

Throughout my professional career as a musician, I have performed and continue to perform locally and abroad with notable Hawaiian entertainers such as: Karen Keawehawai’i, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Ku’uipo Kumukahi, Marlene Sai, Raiatea Helm, Jerry Santos and Olomana, O’Brian Eselu, Frank Hewett, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Herb Ohta, Jr., ‘Elua Kane, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku and Jake Shimabukuro. I have also performed with award winning hula halau: Na Wai ‘Eha O Puna, Halau Maoli Pua, Keali’ika’apunihonua Ke’ena A’o Hula, Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Wa’ahila, and Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa Olapa Kahiko.

In May 2005, I opened another chapter in my life by releasing my first solo CD entitled “Ka ‘Ukulele Lele” distributed by Aloha Music International (AMI).

I have been married for the past 20 years to Felice and together we have two sons, Micah Bryan (17) and Sean Keoni (13).

Aloha,
Bryan Tolentino

Transcriptions of Bryan Tolentino's original songs are available at Dominator's Ukulele TABS:

• Little Rock Getaway
• Ka `Ukulele Lele

Links:

• FleaMarketMusic.com Player Profile Page: link
• Coco Palm Pictures - Brian Tolentino virtuoso ukulele player - performs his original: "UKULELE LELE"
• The Hawaiian Music Directory - link

More information available on artist's web site.

More information available on artist's web site.

Tony is best known for his towering performances (he's 6'8"!) with the international touring group, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Their most recent album, 'The Secret of Life' featured one of Tony's songs - 'The Stage', and the band toured Japan in March 2004, as well as a sold out run at the Barbican Theatre, London. The Uke's also performed on Jools Holland's Hootenanny TV show on New Years Eve 2005 along with other acts Franz Ferdinand, Basement Jaxx and Eric Clapton. The Ukes were recently profiled in Time Magazine and are due to tour Sweden, Australia and Germany in 2006.

More information available on artist's web site.