Album Notes

Henry K. Allen

Musician, Composer, Producer, and Music Educator


T he original Hawaiian Steel Guitarist for the world famous "Hawaii Calls" radio broadcast show. During the early Hawaiian Territorial days, played with local greats such as Alfred Apaka and René Paulo at renown clubs like Trader Vics, the Banyan Court, The Orchid Room, and the Shell Bar. Polishing his jazz guitar talents in Los Angeles in the mist of the swing days of Hollywood, Henry was scouted for the Martin Denny band as lead singer in which the band became the fore front sounds for the exotica ultra lounge craze of the 50's and swing jazz. Contracted "Big Shows" at the famous Brown Derby, General Lee's and The Seven Seas. His music encompassed the movie industry in television shows such as "Blue Hawaii" and "Hawaiian Eye", and was also a featured guests on "Rosie O'Donnell" and NBC's "The Today Show". His talents extended even to Las Vegas and the "Greek Theater" in L.A., arranging and producing a 56-piece orchestra opening for the Don Ho show.

The love of the islands returns him to Maui where he produced and stared in his own show room productions in all the major hotels and resorts in Hawaii. He also played a different note and started arranging and producing text books and becoming a music educator for the state of Hawaii. He was then recognized being "The Master Artist" of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar and Hawaiian music by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists. Tirelessly, he also made time to book gigs with close friend and international jazz artist, George Benson.
Recent achievements include receiving Governor Lingle's proclamation for "Henry Kaleialoha Allen day" April 4, 2004, and congratulatory honors from the Hawaii State Senate for outstanding contributions to Hawaiian Music in the State Capitol on April 2, 2004.

Henry's latest music includes a tropical swing jazz Hawaiian hula CD entitled "A Lei of Stars", and "Henry, Live in Tokyo!" releasing in his '04 Japan tour. He was a featured act in the 11th Annual Hawaii International Jazz festival where he received ovations with the 17 piece orchestra playing his own songs that he composed and arranged. Look for Henry soon to be branding his own sounds called "Ultra Cool Tiki Lounge", a medley of Hawaiian, jazz and swing blend arrangements and original compositions.