Joel Katz

Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Kea Lani Wedding, Mike Sidney Photo

This is the beautiful sound of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. This instrument’s unique sound will immediately transport listeners to the days of old Hawaii with gentle breezes and a relaxed feeling of Aloha. This is the perfect solo instrumental background music for your reception, wedding, cocktails, and dining. Acoustic guitar for a wedding ceremony followed by Hawaiian Steel Guitar for a reception is a popular combination.

I have been performing professionally on Maui for 25 years. I am also the instructor in the guitar, ukulele, and audio technology programs at the University of Hawaii Maui College and head the award winning Seaside Recording Studio. I am passionate about carrying on the tradition of this rare instrument and style.

The song selection is Hawaiian Style Steel Guitar Classics. I have also added a few jazz and pop tunes. You can click on a play arrow to hear my samples and even download them. Examples are.. The Hawaiian Wedding Song, of course. Blue Hawaii, Tiny Bubbles. Puamana, My Little Grass Shack, Beyond the Reef, Hanalei Moon, Akaka Falls, Aloha Oe, My Yellow Ginger Lei, Sweet Leilani, Sleepwalk, How D’ya do, Sand, Lahainaluna, Mapuana. You will find a selection of demos of some of the songs here. For these Demos I created a subtle backing track playing upright bass and ukulele in the classic style. I use these to give a consistent outstanding sound in live performances.

You can be assured of always getting professionalism and the appropriate tasteful performance for your function and venue.