MELE POLINAHE – Duet – Hawaiian Traditional
Bio:Jesse Tinsley and Steve Riggan play old, old-style Hawaiian music. The music has the simplicity of Hawai’I culture, influenced by swing, jazz, country and oldtime music. Jesse is part native Hawaiian via his mother. Steve has Hawaiian family by marriage. Together they play guitar, ukulele and steel guitar and are joined by a variety of friends and family.
Music, both playing and listening, brings people together. It’s a social magnet, allows people to enjoy each other’s company while enjoying the music. I want to be a part of that. Hawaiian music is often only background music, which is fine with me. The more people connect, the stronger our community can be.
Kendall Yards, for cool eats or just to walk the trail along the gorge, is a huge draw for me and my family, even though we are southsiders.
Community is about knowing your neighbors, finding common interests and values and using that feeling of belonging to motivate you to give back.
I try to be the best neighbor I can be. I use my talents to help neighbors, whether its helping elderly neighbors with yard work, playing music at nursing homes and local events or volunteering at gatherings like Unity in the Community.
Music isn’t about what I want to play. The challenge is the playing what people want or need to hear at the right time. I hope that while we’re playing music, people will feel comfortable enough to chat with their neighbors.
People should spend one of the summer’s last warm evenings visiting their neighbors, making connections and enjoy the music as a group activity.