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Bobby Ingano is one of the most
in-demand steel guitarists in Hawaii today. Always warm and friendly with
a contagious smile, Bobby finds pure joy in his music making. He is an
artist overflowing with the spirit of aloha and an inspiration to many
young entertainers in Hawaii.
Steel Reflections is Bobby's
debut solo album originally released in 1998.
BOBBY INGANO was born in Lanai City, Hawaii on December 17, 1952. As a
child, Bobby's ears were glued to the radio, constantly craving music.
There was one lone radio in his home and it was his only means of music
aside from family backyard jams. Bobby would listen any chance he could
and it was through that radio that he found rock and roll and the steel
guitar.
In
1959, his family relocated to Honolulu. Shortly thereafter he was
diagnosed with Polio. Bobby spent the next seven years in and out of the
hospital. Confined by his illness and looking for something to break his
boredom, Bobby's family encouraged him to learn how to play the ukulele.
The entire Ingano Family is extremely musical. Everyone from his parents
to his siblings to most of his nieces and nephews play the ukulele,
guitar, bass or steel guitar. The ukulele was just the beginning. By
1968 Bobby, age 16, was totally immersed in playing the blues and had
become part of a local high school band. It wasn't until years later that
he was fully seduced by the steel guitar.
Most of Bobby's teenage years were spent 'bucking heads' with his father.
He felt his fathers' way of thinking was too strict. By age 18 Bobby
moved out from the family home and was on his own.
It was in this time of his life that Bobby met a man who would become one
of the most notably influential people in his life. He became Bobby's
friend, mentor and teacher. Ironically this man reminded Bobby of his
father in many ways. This friend, mentor and master teacher was the
legendary David "Feet" Rogers of Sons of Hawaii fame. Feet
and Bobby would sit for hours and talk. Feet instilled in Bobby the
importance of playing with discipline and love. He would say to Bobby,
"When you play music, always have fun and the main thing is, making people
happy...PERIOD. No worry about competition. It's not a sport. Just be
happy and smile...and never, ever, put yourself above anybody else. Bobby,
always, ALWAYS play from your heart!"
Feet didn't just teach Bobby how to play the steel guitar....more
importantly, he taught him about life.
It is with this revelation and wisdom that Bobby shares with young steel
guitar players and any other musicians that ask for his guidance. He has
adopted this to be his philosophy and you can certainly see that it's a
way of life with him just by watching him play.
Others that have inspired and influenced Bobby over the years include:
Elmer 'Sonny' Lim, Greg Sardinah, David Keli'i, Jerry
Byrd, Gabby Pahinui, Pua Almeida, Jules Ah See
and Jacob Keli'ikoa.
Bobby
has played on the albums of and on stage with a "who's who" list of
prominent Hawaiian entertainers including Amy Gilliom, The
Brothers Cazimero, Bill Kaiwa, Theresa Bright,
Martin Pahinui , Ka'au Crater Boys, Palolo, Kapena,
Ho'opi'i Brothers, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Valley Boys, BB Shawn
and many more groups in Hawaii and Japan. In 1998 Bobby joined Dennis
Kamakahi, Mike Ka'awa, Ocean Kaowili, BB Shawn, and David Kamakahi and
they became NA'OIWI, or "Native Sons".
Bobby specializes in the old-fashioned fry-pan lap steel guitar fashioning
a delicate, nuanced style, well described as "pictures on the wind". A
reviewer once wrote of Bobby's work, "His sensitive playing evokes the
feeling of the islands perhaps like no other player can." Bobby is also
an excellent electric guitarist who is capable of playing wicked blues and
wild rockabilly. Steel Reflections is pure, gorgeous, and sweet Ingano
steel guitar.
For over 30 years Bobby has been a loyal employee of Tamashiro's Market
and has no plans to quit working. He uses his off time and weekends doing
what he enjoys most....making music, and making people smile! When you
listen to Bobby play you will find yourself smiling. You can't help it.
This is a man who truly enjoys making music. You will find yourself swept
up in his sweet steel playing... a reflection of the familiar sound of
yesterday… a steel reflection.
Bobby plays a Seven String Rickenbacher Fry
Pan,
a Seven String Can Opus, and a Six String Fender Champion on this
recording.
Steel Guitar: Bobby Ingano
Acoustic Guitar: Steven Hall & BB Shawn
Bass: Mahi Pekelo & BB Shawn
Ukulele: BB Shawn |
