THE NIGHT STUFF
Blues at Kapono's draws mature, groovin' crowd

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

On a recent night of Blues at Kapono's, Barbara Borgnino of St. Louis Heights and Jimmie Ilardi of Nu'uanu moved to the tunes of Blue Fuse. Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Cynthia Ward of Pauoa joined Borgnino on the dance floor. Kapono's is one of a small but growing number of Honolulu venues featuring blues acts.

No one would call me one of those crazy-intense blues fans able to discuss the subtle differences in every version of "Mannish Boy" that Muddy Waters ever recorded. I don't spend hours with friends discussing why John Lee Hooker doesn't have his own disc in the "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues" CD series and Keb' Mo' does. (Though it does irk me a bit.)

I am a blues fan, however, who appreciates the comforting thought that there are a growing number of musicians in Honolulu playing the blues, and a handful of clubs giving those musicians a place to show off their skills.

Which brings me to Blues at Kapono's. Audience numbers at the Thursday weekly may be static, but in the past year the night has offered great Honolulu blues musicians like Eric Petersen, Third Degree, Dave Lamar, Biker Blues Band and Bluzilla (to name a few) a regular venue to play, and Honolulu blues fans a dependable place and time to catch them.

Organized by KIPO-FM program director Jeff Ilardi — himself a blues musician and founder of that radio station's popular 3-year-old monthly Blues Nights — Blues at Kapono's also has the advantage of having a true blues-in-the-blood fan sweating the details and musician roster each week.

On the recent Thursday we stopped by, Bluzilla was playing for a mellow, mostly mature gathering that was nevertheless happy to occasionally leave their tables to swing to the band's sweet Chicago- and West Coast jump-style blues. Longtime local blues bruisers, Bluzilla kept the night energetic, with a chugging groove that seemed specifically geared toward shakin' one's money maker. Lead vocalist Corey Funai — his blues vox cool rather than growly, and his natty midnight-blue suit crisp — proved an undeniably well-versed harp player and audience pleaser.

"That's an old Muddy tune," said Funai, coolly, after covering "Sugar's Sweet."

"Muddy Waters?" yelled a female in the crowd, obviously going for Double Jeopardy where the scores can really change.

"Yes indeedy David," said Funai, cracking a sly smile before biting deep into Robert Cray's passionate "I Wonder," and bringin' dancers back to the floor with Preston Foster's blues standard "Got My Mojo Workin.' "

Sure, with a venue as large as Kapono's and free admission, the night (and Bluzilla) deserved a larger crowd. Me? I was just happy I'd be able to return for another round on another Thursday.

Got a night spot, night event or club event we should check out? Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.

Joe Hartzman of Blue Fuse turned it up at Blues at Kapono's, which showcases blues music every Thursday.

Where: Kapono's, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 536-2100.

When: 7 p.m.-midnight Thursdays.

Cover: Free.

Younger than 21 OK? Yes.

Age of crowd: 30s-60s.

Peak crowd while there: 45.

Queue?: No.

Upcoming Blues at Kapono's: Honolulu Blue Devils, The Notorious Northsiders, Oct. 9; Boogie, Paradise XS, Oct. 16.

KIPO-FM Blues Nights: Last Saturdays of the month; visit www.hawaiipublicradio.org for schedule.

Get your blues in stereo: On 89.3 KIPO-FM: "The Blues Revue," 10 p.m.-midnight Saturdays; "Blues Before Sunrise," midnight-5 a.m. Sundays.

Best recently released blues primer on CD: "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues." An imperfect collection for purists. But ideal series titles for blues newbies include: "A Musical Journey" (box set), "Piano Blues," "Robert Johnson," "Muddy Waters," "Jimi Hendrix," "Eric Clapton."

Sorely missed on the Honolulu blues scene: Third Degree.

Night notes ...

Any party daring to spin Stacy Q's "Two of Hearts" minutes after throwing on Fischerspooner's "Emerge" gets my attention. Rebel Rebel! rolls out its third musically eclectic monthly tonight at Club Pauahi. Indie rock, British pop, '80s pop and electroclash are what it promises; a wicked mix-CD night throwing in everything from Bikini Kill and sleater-kinney to The Smiths, Joan Jett and Duran Duran is what it delivers. Check out past set lists at www.clubrebelrebel.com, and ask 'em to spin some Violent Femmes. From 9:30 p.m., $5, at 68 S. Pauahi St.

Can't get enough of that Pauahi St. funk and vibe? Taking over Club Pauahi Saturday is another edition of indie band monthly Avant Pop! On the small stage this month: teradactyl, TV Hair Do, Ex Superheroes, Port Guyana and The Daykillers. Entry is $5; 18 and older welcome. Bands start 'round 9 p.m.

And finally ... two parties from Architechs this weekend — one brand new, one ongoing. Paper bows at Reign tonight with a weekly mix of hip-hop, R&B and dancehall, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Entry is $7. Feng Shui continues its monthly run at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki's Ciao Mein restaurant and Poolside Bar, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. This one's $10 before 11:30 p.m., and $15 after. Both parties are 21 and older.