Honolulu jazz musician Reggie Padilla releases debut album “Almost Home”
Featuring Jim Howard (piano), Dean Taba (bass) and Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (drums)
By Eric Lagrimas
Honolulu’s vibrant jazz scene welcomes a new leader ready to take center stage, a voice for the next generation of jazz purists and contemporary musicians: tenor saxophonist Reggie Padilla.
Padilla is recognized as one of the finest and most creative young players in Honolulu’s music scene and with the release of his debut album, “Almost Home” (Pass Out Records), Padilla and his music have much to offer for local, national and international audiences. Reggie Padilla was born and raised in Long Island, New York. At the young age of seven he began classical piano studies and at age nine began his saxophone studies. Growing up, Reggie was exposed to many styles and forms of music. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Piano Performance from Long Island University at C.W. Post and a Master’s of Music Education from New York University.
Relocating to Honolulu, Hawaii in 2007, Reggie dove head first in the Honolulu music scene. Taking gigs of all sorts on piano and saxophone, Reggie became a top call sideman performing with such diverse artists like Japan’s Eric Miyashiro and Yasuko Hayakawa, Canada’s Dan Hill, Stephen Bishop, Yvonne Elliman, as a member of Honolulu’s internationally acclaimed and award winning jazz group, Bop Tribal, and most recently with international vocal sensation, “Asia’s Nightingale,” Lani Misalucha.
With a growing list of sideman credits under his belt, “Almost Home” perfectly captures Reggie’s diverse compositional style and musical depth as a leader. Enlisted to interpret his musical vision includes some of Honolulu’s finest musicians including Waikiki heavyweight Jim Howard (piano), former LA session bassist and David Benoit band member Dean Taba (bass) and the explosive percussive styling of 2012 Thelonious Monk Drum Competition Semi‐Finalist Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (drums). Recorded live in two days “Almost Home” conveys the essence of the quartet’s fresh, yet seasoned vibe.
“Almost Home” is Reggie’s personal statement that his musical voice is firmly planted in Honolulu. With a recent endorsement deal from P. Mauriat Saxophones, his growing fan base awaits with much anticipation for the next release from this vibrant artist.
Official artist website: www.reggiepadilla.com
Buy the music: www.passoutrecords.com
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