Tag Archives: Joyce Chin

Gail Swanson, Elaine Ryan and Sebrina Barron Help Play It Forward

Posted by on April 25, 2011 1 comment
Elaine Ryan

Gail Swanson. Photo by Al Scheck

Play it Forward Concerts presents a Mother’s Day benefit concert for Maui’s Women Helping Women May 8 at Stella Blues Cafe. The show will feature Gail Swanson, Elaine Ryan and Sebrina Barron in a songwriter circle, sharing the stories and inspirations behind their music. All three women are widely known to be prolific songwriters whose work reflects the intensity of their feelings, spark of their intellects and the joy of their spirits.

Play it Forward Concerts is a social entrepreneurship that was inspired by people who are dedicated to helping others despite their personal challenges. Like the film Pay if Forward, instead of paying a favor back, we pay it forward; we repay the rewards in our lives with new good deeds done for new people.

Our Play it Forward philosophy is two-fold: we use music and the arts to raise money for and increase awareness of a variety of causes; at the same time, we invite established artists to help us pay it forward by highlighting up-and-coming musicians, painters, photographers, writers and others.

Elaine Ryan

Gail Swanson, whose charitable heart inspired our mission, is one of  Maui’s most treasured singer/songwriters. She has touched the lives of locals and visitors with her music for more than two decades. She has written and recorded five award-winning CDs. Her most recent album, Simple Truth, features three songs produced by Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers. It also features  guest appearances by Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, John McFee, John Cruz, Hutch Hutchison and others. Swanson’s albums have been nominated for three No Hoku Hanohano awards (Hawaii’s version of the Grammys); her 2000 release, Living in a Movie, won the Hoku award for Best Rock Album of the Year.

Gail will be joined by international indie recording artist Elaine Ryan. The part-time Maui resident is quite successful in her Canadian homeland and we are honored to turn people on to her pristine voice, humble nature and musical storytelling.

“Elaine’s voice is incredible, and I love the way she writes,” said Gail. “Nobody on Maui sounds like her – we are lucky to have her.”

Sebrina Barron. Photo by Joyce Chin

Gail and Elaine will be joined by aspiring singer/songwriter Sebrina Barron, whose fresh voice, insightful songwriting and bubbly spirit makes new fans every time she performs.

“Sebrina has a very special stage presence” Swanson said. “There’s a very genuine, down-to-earth vibe about the way she interacts with the audience – and the way she writes songs and sings – it’s really very endearing.

“It’s great to have an opportunity to showcase local talent while shining a light on a worthy cause like ‘Women Helping Women,’” Gail said. “Plus it’s Mother’s Day. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

Stella Blues will be offering a dinner and show package with a four-course meal for $60; tickets for the show only are $30. Call Stella Blues for reservations (808) 874-3779

For more about the artists, visit their websites: Gail Swanson, Elaine Ryan and Sebrina Barron

Vince Esquire Back Where He Belongs

Posted by on April 14, 2010 No comments

The Vince Esquire Band featuring drummer Josh Greenbaum and bass player Shawn Michael will celebrate the release of their newest CD, “Back Where You Belong,” Friday night April 16 at Mulligan’s on the Blue in Wailea, Maui.

Maui’s Vince Esquire Band has opened for several major recording acts including Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Gregg Allman and Derek Trucks.

The new CD features several guest artists including keyboardists Les Adams and Brian Cuomo.

John Zangrando, Rudy Esquire and Paul Bunuan make up the horn section. And Trinette Furtado of the Isle of Maui Pipe Band plays haunting bagpipes on the song “War Cry.”

The CD Release Party promises several special guests but the band is keeping the surprises pretty close to their chests. However, we can confirm that the dynamic electric ukulele band Kanekoa will take the stage after VEB’s set to close out the night.

Doors will open at 8:00 pm and the show begins at 9:00.

Tickets are available at Mulligan’s on the Blue in Wailea; 808 Deli and Wokstar in Kihei; Request Music in Wailuku; Bounty Music in Kahului; and Wings Hawaii in Paia.

More on the Vince Esquire Band coming soon.

Words by Suzanne Kayian

Images by Joyce Chin

Review: Upcountry Sundays

Posted by on April 7, 2010 No comments
L-R Gail Swanson, Elaine Ryan and Sebrina Barron flash peace signs on demand for Play it Forward. Photo by Joyce Chin

Mana’o Radio’s monthly benefit concert Easter Sunday afternoon at Casanova in Makawao brought together a cross-generation of talented women who can take command of a stage with only a guitar and a microphone.

Three ladies of Upcountry Sundays (L-R) Gail Swanson, Elaine Ryan and Sebrina Barron. Photo by Joyce Chin

Upcountry Sundays’ driving force Dorothy Betz complimented her set (with The Trio, Les Adams and Vince Esquire) with a wonderful gathering of female singer/songwriters: Gail Swanson, Sebrina Barron and Elaine Ryan.

Their musical styles and messages were complimentary while maintaining original sounds and visions.

Opening artist Elaine Ryan‘s authentic songwriting and sweet voice started the day off right. Sometimes you feel it might be okay to miss the opening act. Not in this case. Elaine was definitely worth seeing. My only disappointment is that she’s leaving Maui and going back to Canada in May. However, she’s assured us that she plans to return in January.

Next up was Sebrina Barron, who played her first benefit gig for Mana’o Radio when she was just 15-years-old. Like Dorothy Betz said, “Wow, has she grown as an artist.”

Sebrina was surprised when she learned that Vince Esquire would be joining her on stage, courtesy of his bassist Shawn Michael. Shawn and Vince only planned to sit in on a couple of songs, but ended up sitting-in for her whole set, which seemed to be a treat for the audience–as well as the artists.

Vince stayed on stage — okay, so maybe it wasn’t totally a ladies day — joined by Dorothy Betz and Les Adams. As always, they brought people to their feet with swinging music. With Les on keyboards, Dorothy on guitar and Vince switching from guitar to ukulele and back, The Trio seems to effortlessly manage to entertain across the board.

Gail Swanson closed the show with a set that featured songs primarily from her new CD, “Simple Truth,” another treat. She included two of my new favorites, “Eggshells” and “Mid-Air,” along with fan-favorite, the catchy song commonly known as “The Do Do Song.” Like Gail once said, no matter what she named the song, everyone still calls it “The Do Do Song,” but if you want to know the real name, pick up the CD at Borders in Kahului.

But I digress.

After another great set from Gail, Dorothy Betz said “Thank you for supporting Mana’o Radio,” and the stage was cleared to accommodate 8-year-old Jaxon Chester, who played a set of original songs on the ukulele. The one exception, “the Derek and the Dominos version of ‘Little Wing,’” amazed the diners.

Jaxon, with his appropriately-long hair and his straightforward stage presence–coupled with an astounding amount of talent–once again surprised the crowd. “Listen to that kid,” you could hear people saying. “He’s how old?”

It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Upcountry Sundays returns on the first Sunday of each month.

The Throwdowns Opening For Sammy Hagar?

Posted by on March 11, 2010 No comments

Rumor has it that The Throwdowns will be the opening act at Sammy Hagar‘s April 9 show at the Castle Theater in Maui. The band recently dropped a less-than-subtle hint on its Twitter page; the post, dated March 5, read: “sneak peek at the posters for Sammy Hagar. So sic! Heard a rumor that the opening band is pretty smart. And funny. And rhymes with slowdowns.”

The Throwdowns' Erin Smith chats with Sebrina Barron backstage at BarryFest. Photo by Joyce Chin

Today (3/9), another post flowed from Twitter land that apparently was a response to a question that was posted by @eggfooyoung. “Yes, we are blessed with stage warm up duties for Mr. Hagar,” the band tweeted.

The Throwdowns’ official website does not list a show with Hagar and the Wabos. However, the band’s MySpace page kind of confirms the rumor, if there was much doubt left at this point. According to the MySpace page, the The Throwdowns are scheduled to play “MACC Castle Theatre With Sammy Hagar! TBA.” TBA? Does that mean tentative or not officially announced? Probably the latter.

If it falls through, the band’s fans can catch Erin Smith, Kimo Clark, Ola Shaw and Ian Hollingsworth April 10 opening for 311 and Iration at Lahaina Civic Center. The band recently wrapped up a support slot on Matisyahu’s Hawaiian tour which included a February 28 show at the Lahaina venue.

Off island, the band is throwing a “National CD” release party April 30 at The Pipeline Cafe in Honolulu. The band’s debut album, “Don’t Slow Down,” originally was released in August 2009 but is gaining well-deserved national exposure with a re-release edition courtesy of a distribution deal with ADA/Warner.

In addition to Matisyahu, The Throwdowns have opened for The Fray, Panic at the Disco, Bad Brains and The English Beat.

So let’s shoot an email to Erin and see if she’ll confirm the Sammy Hagar gig. As if there’s much doubt.

Fine Art Photographer Turns to Music

Posted by on March 10, 2010 No comments

Maui resident Joyce Chin recently turned her photographic talents around to focus on live music and the results have been overwhelmingly positive for the photographer and her partner-in-musical-crime, Suzanne Kayian.

Suzanne recently launched a new column, Rhythm & Views, at Maui No Ka Oi Magazine and despite the fact that she considers herself a fairly good photographer, decided to bring Joyce into the fold.

“I love taking concert photos,” Kayian said. “But to be honest, Joyce is far better behind the lens. So I started asking her to bring her camera along when we go to shows and the result has been phenomenal.”

Joyce’s website, Joyce Chin Photography, showcases a wide variety of her photographic styles, in addition to her concert shots.

Both women also are working behind the scenes to help Maui singer/songwriter Sebrina Barron take her career to the next level. Sebrina’s new website, www.SebrinaBarron.com, will launch soon but until then, you can visit her Facebook page for more information on this talented young woman.

Videos of Sebrina performing also can be found at Suzanne Kayian and Joyce Chin’s YouTube channels.