Several black Americans began recording Hawaiian hapa haole music in the 1930s.
Duke Ellington at Harlem’s Cotton Club. In Hollywood, recordings were made by Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole, Billy Ward, and the Mills Brothers.
While my father, as a local radio announcer in Honolulu, often referred to the black artists as “Royal Hawaiians”, Fats Waller himself described his band as “Georgia Hawaiians”.
In any event, these recordings were popular both here and on the mainland US.
Almost 82 years later, we’ll share this memorable music.
This week's playlist:
1- Swingtime In Honolulu – Duke Ellington & his Cotton Club Parade
2- Nalani – Nat King Cole
3- I’ll Weave A Lei Of Stars For You – Billy Ward & his Ork & Chorus
4- Behave Hula Girl – Billy Ward & his Orchestra & Chorus
5- Sweet Someone – Eddie & Betty Cole
6- Why Do Hawaiians Sing Aloha? – Fats Waller & his Rhythm
7- Yellow Bird – Mills Brothers
8- On A Coconut Island – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona & Islanders
9- Hawaiian Hospitality – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona & Islanders
10- On A Little Bamboo Bridge – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona
11- To You Sweetheart, Aloha – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona
Length: 55:44 Released on: 01-11-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
