Benny Kalama
| Benny Kalama | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Benjamin Kapena Kalama |
| Also known as | Benny Kalama Ben Kalama |
| Born |
June 29, 1916 Kohala, Big island of Hawaii |
| Died | September 21, 1999 (aged 83) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Occupation(s) | Live performer |
| Instruments |
Ukulele Bass guitar Steel guitar |
| Years active | 1930–1999 |
| Labels | Cord International Lehua Universal Geffen Capitol Hana Ola |
| Associated acts | Leonard Red Hawk and the Waikikians Alfred Apaka Malcolm Beelby Orchestra Don McDiarmid Wally Lavque Andry Bright |
Benny Kalama (June 29, 1916 – September 21, 1999), born Benjamin Kapena Kalama in Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii, is an American singer with a honey-voiced falsetto. He is credited with discovering and nurturing Alfred Apaka, and was part of several groups. Until the day Apaka died, Kalama was coaching and arranging music for him.
At Kalakaua Intermediate School in 1931, Benny began playing trombone in the band. Upon graduation from McKinley High School where he played in the band, Kalama hooked up with Leonard "Red" Hawk and the Waikikians. Kalama's ability to read music, rather than play by ear, got him hired by the more successful bands. It was Hawk who wrote the lyrics and music to the ubiquitous song May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. In 1938, Kalama played steel guitar substituting for Sam Kaʻapuni with the Malcolm Beelby Orchestra.
Kalama worked with the Don McDiarmid Sr band at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Kewalo Inn and La Hula Rhumba on Lulalilo Street. McDiarmid, along with Johnny Noble, had penned Hilo Hattie's signature tune When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop. During this period of his career, Kalama worked with Alfred Apaka, George Kainapau, Alvin Isaacs Sr and Tommy Castro.
In between his participation with the McDiarmid band, Benny played with the Wally Lavque's band, also at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. He toured the mainland with the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders, appearing in movies and on recordings.
Benny Kalama was with Andy Bright's band the years 1952–1955 at the Moana Hotel in Waikiki.
In 1955, he began working with Alfred Apaka in Las Vegas, followed by 15 years with Henry Kaiser's Hawaiian Village. Kalama's arrangements are credited with helping Apaka's success.
On radio, Kalama was a director and arranger on KGU's Voice of Hawaii program prior to bombing of Pearl Harbor. From 1952 onward, Kalama was musical director and arranger forHawaiʻi Calls.
Until before his death, Kalama played at the Halekulani's House Without a Key nightclub with Alan Akaka and Walter Moʻokini's Islanders, and also as part of the stage band for the annual Steel Guitar Hoʻolauleʻa.
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