With one of the most beautiful voices, Teresa Bright ranks at the top of Hawai'i's best and brightest singers. Her renditions of traditional Hawaiian songs, often colored with a touch of jazz and blues, have distinguished her music for two decades.

Teresa Bright has never been better. Lei Ana is a wonderful collection of Hawaiian music mixing traditional mele (songs), hapa haole (English lyric) tunes, and new original compositions. Her beautiful voice caresses each song as a rare flower in a beautiful lei.

"Lei Ana Ni'ihau," a new composition by award-winning composer Kawaikapu Hewett, honors the treasured shell lei of Ni'ihau. This haunting arrangement opens the CD and is highlighted by the accompaniment of a single cello. Two other Hewett songs follow, "Holo Lio Ke Kuini" describing the Queen's horseback ride on the island of Kaua'i, and "Lei Ana Moloka'i, a tribute to Moloka'i and the kukui (candlenut), the floral emblem of the island.

Bright's pristine vocals grace the traditional songs "Lei Hinahina," "Iniki Malie," "Mahina o Hoku," and "Kalakaua." A bit of swing flavors the name song "Kauikeolani." And the hapa haole tunes "The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai" and "Haole Hula" sparkle with new vitality. The jazz standard "How High the Moon" showcases Bright's versatility. And to lend a bit of whimsy a bonus track of "The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai" is included.

Variety characterizes this effort. And not since her Self Portrait CD has there been an album that can only be described as - simply beautiful. Bright's rare voice is in top form.  

Link to catalog albums

Tracking List
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1. Lei Ana Ni'ihau

2. Holo Lio Ke Kuini

3. Lei Ana Moloka'i

4. Haole Hula

5. Lei Hinahina

6. Hame Pila

7. 'Iniki Malie

8. Kalakaua

9.The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai

10. Mahina o Hoku

11. Kauikeolani

12. How High the Moon

13. The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai (bonus track)


Teresa Bright first performed with bassist Steve Mai'i in the early '80s. The duo known as Steve and Teresa performed contemporary Hawaiian music that captivated audiences in clubs and on the concert circuit. During their six years together they recorded three albums, Catching a Wave, Ocean Blue, and Intimately. Their song "'Uwehe 'Ami and Slide" won the Na Hoku Hanohano award for Best Song of 1985. (The Na Hoku Hanohano Awards recognize excellence in recording and are awarded annually by the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.) In 1986 the group dissolved and Bright performed with others before joining bassist and record producer Kata Maduli. Bright and Maduli began work on her first solo album in 1989.

Self Portrait was a huge success when it debuted the following year. Self Portrait won Bright the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Best Female Vocalist and for producer Maduli the prestigious Album of the Year. Also, the song "Poliahu" was named the Song of the Year and was named Haku Mele (best song in the Hawaiian language). Bright has recorded five albums since, Painted Tradition, A Bright Hawaiian Christmas, Ka Pilina, Quiet Nights, and A Christmas Season's Delight.

Bright is also an international star recording and performing in Japan since 1996. Japanese audiences are enamored with her beautiful voice and jazz stylings. Pioneer Records of Japan released Quiet Girl in 1996, and followed with Crossing the Blue in 1998. Bright has also written and recorded tracks for several Japanese companies including Japan Airlines. Advertising music in Japan is quite popular, often attaining chart status with releases on CD.

 

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