There’s a pretty remarkable video on YouTube of Honolulu jazz musician Reggie Padilla surfing while – wait for it – playing the saxophone. Because he’s not miced up, it’s unclear just how well he plays, or even what he’s playing, but the mere fact that the dude can stand on a surfboard and give the appearance of jamming is in itself a feat.
Or a trick. Whatever. Doesn’t matter. Padilla is a true-blue serious jazz musician, not some kind of gussied-up wave-riding vaudevillian. Padilla’s most recent album, Almost Home, has received solid reviews, including by Innov8 Magazine, which said its 12 songs showed his “diverse compositional style and musical depth.”
Backed up by equally skilled and accomplished pianist Jim Howard, bassist Dean Taba, and Abe Lagrima, Padilla’s upbeat brand of jazz mixes classical structure with experimental flourishes. It’s a signature style that let’s you know you’re in the hands of a player who knows his craft – although the fact that he can have a little fun with it (see above) doesn’t hurt, either.
Editor’s note: Love jazz? Then check out our post on the Maui Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place Sept. 3-8, here.
