Pua Almeida

Pua Almeida (1922–1974) was a Hawaiian steel guitarist, considered a leading performer on that instrument.

Almeida (sometimes given as "Alameida") was born in 1922 in Honolulu.[1] His musical start began in the band of his father, John Kameaaloha Almeida.[1] He formed his own big band, "The Sunset Serenaders" and performed at several top venues around Hawaii.[1] He relocated to Southern California in 1947, performing in clubs.[1] As the Hawaiian steel guitar achieved international status in the 1940s, Almeida was recognized as a master of the instrument.[2] In 1958 he began a 16-year association with the Surfrider Hotel.[1]

He recorded for American Decca Records in 1966[3] and for MGM Records.[4] For seventeen years he was commonly featured on the Hawaii Calls radio program.[1][5]

Pua suffered from poor heart health, and died in 1974.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Ruymar, Lorene (1996). The Hawaiian Steel Guitar and its Great Hawaiian Musicians. Anaheim Hills, California: Centerstream Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 1-57424-021-8.
  2. ^ Love, J.W.; Kaeppler, Adrienne, eds. (2017). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: Australia and the Pacific Islands. Routledge. p. 618. ISBN 9781351544320.
  3. ^ Ruppli, Michel (1996). The Decca Labels: The California sessions. Greenwood Press. p. 859. ISBN 9780313299841.
  4. ^ Ruppli, Michel (1998). The MGM Labels: Additional recordings. Greenwood Press. p. 562. ISBN 9780313307805.
  5. ^ a b Todaro, Tony. "Pua Almeida". Square One. Retrieved October 9, 2017.