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Abe Lagrimas Jr.
Abe was born in March 1983 in the U.S. territory of Guam. Coming from an incredibly musical family, Abraham started playing the drums at the early age of 4. At the age of 10, Abe started private studies on drums for two years. Now with a deeper understanding of the various styles of contemporary drumming, Abe began expanding his musical palate. In middle school, he excelled in the concert band and was an integral part of the school's first jazz ensemble. Outside of class, he was selected to perform with the prestigious Hawaii Youth Symphony. In 1997, at the age of 14, Abe was the Grand Prize winner in a world-wide competition sponsored by Modern Drummer Magazine and New York City's premier drum school, The Drummer's Collective. He was awarded a scholarship to their 4-week summer program in New York City. There, he gained valuable insight and instruction from top New York City drummers Ian Froman, Michael Lauren, Memo Azevido and Sandy Genarro. In 1998, another scholarship led him to Berklee College Of Music's summer performance program. In addition to studying and performing with Berklee's acclaimed faculty, the highlight of the program was studying advanced jazz theory with Tiger Okoshi. In 2000, Abraham was one of the youngest musicians chosen to participate in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Residency Program located at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts. Not only did this program showcase the world's finest up-and-coming jazz artists, but also each participant's talent as jazz composers as well. Under the tutelage of Terrance Blanchard, John Patitucci, Winard Harper, Nathan Davis, and George Cables, Abe reworked his original composition "Club Soda" for its national debut at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. While still in high school, Abe received two endorsement deals from drum manufacturers, Paiste Cymbals and Vic Firth Drumsticks, and earned a reputation as one of Hawaii's elite musicians. Over the years, he's participated in tours of the U.S. Midwest, Japan and South Korea. Aside from his drumming and composition skills, Abe is equally proficient in other instruments such as the vibraphone, piano, and ukulele. Having picked up the ukulele for the very first time in April of 2003, Abe managed to record a CD with his progressive island jam band, “Akamai Brain Collective” (ABC). ABC has received radio airplay in stations across the U.S. as well as in Japan and gained a spot as a nominee in the 2004 Hawaii Music Awards Instrumental Hawaiian Category. In February of 2004, less than a year that Abe has been playing the ukulele, received an endorsement deal from the Ko`olau Ukulele Company. In December 2005, Abe released his first album as a solo artist. Entitled “Dimensions”, the album is a representation of Abe’s musical skills performing drums, ukulele, vibes, guitar, and also showcases his abilities as a composer with ten original pieces. Just this past May, Abe has been nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award (Hawaiian Grammy Award) as Most Promising Artist. In the summer of 2003, Abe becomes a member of what is to be Korea’s top jazz group. “Prelude”, a unique jazz sextet consisted of 3 saxophones and a rhythm section, travels to Korea twice a year to perform their music throughout the country. “Prelude” has appeared on major TV programs, newspapers, and radio. In December 2005, the group released their debut CD entitled “Croissant”, on the Sony/BMG label and was currently one of the top 10 selling albums in Korea. In May 2005, Abe graduated with a degree in Music Education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts as a recipient of their North American Scholarship. Abe now currently resides on Oahu and is one of Hawaii’s most in demand musicians. Abe is a member of the following musical groups: Kapala Special Performance: Monday July 28, 7:00 Higher Ground Wahiawa
He is currently performing at various Honolulu clubs, and will be featured at the annual International Jazz Festival on Maui. Get a sampling of Abe's jazz-influenced original composition entitled "Centipedes" accompanied by local recording artist Alden Tokuzato on guitar. Abe's custom tenor ukulele is made of Rosewood back and sides, with a Spruce top.
Abe's new CD Dimensions is now available and is a must have. Click picture for sample from the CD and place an order. includes free shipping for Ko'olau customers!
Videos from the 2007 New York Ukulele Festival: Click Here to read an Article from the Star Bulletin Click Here to read a Article from the Honolulu Weekly See Abe in Concert, playing ukulele at Ward Warehouse in Honolulu Click Here to see Abe at the Hawaii Music Supply Grand Opening Click Here to read a Article from the West Oahu Current Newspaper Click Here to see Abe at the International Music Show (NAMM) 2007
To Hear Mp3 Samples of Abe Playing Click Links Below Sample 1 / Entire Song 1 Sample 2 / Entire Song 2
Above: In concert with the masters Byron Yasui and Benny Chong
Above picture from the 3/06 Na Mele Nei Click here for more.
Above:
"Akamai Brain Collective" with Abe and Eric Lagrimas,
Alden Tokuzato,
Above: Alden Tokuzato and Abe
Below :Endorsement letter from Abe Lagrimas Jr: June 15, 2004Dear Mr. Kitakis, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to you, your staff, and the fine line of ukuleles you produce. I am very proud to own a custom designed Ko’olau ukulele. It’s important to create that certain “sound” every artist is looking for. When I strummed my ukulele for the first time, it sounded beautiful, unlike any other ukulele that I’ve played before. Not only is it a premier instrument, but also a work of art. Ko’olau’s craftsmanship, innovative design, intonation, and playability is simply in a class of its own. I am happy to be a part of Ko’olau’s family of performing artists and look forward to many great musical things to come.
Sincerely, Home
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