Whenever one thinks of Hawaii, images of sun-drenched beaches and swaying palm trees invariably come to mind. Yet, although few musicians would view Honolulu as a major music center, some very fine jazz can be heard in the Islands. Propelling much of that music is drummer Noel Okimoto. At 28, Okimoto is a seasoned veteran of the Honolulu music scene. From 1977 to 1982, he was a member of ex-Stan Kenton band lead altoist Gabe Baltazar’s quintet. During this period, he also earned a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In recent years, Okimoto has accumulated an impressive list of credits including performances with Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Richie Cole, Bill Watrous, Bud Shank, Lew Tabackin, and Wynton Marsalis. In addition to being a virtuoso at the drumset, Okimoto is also an accomplished orchestral percussionist, jazz vibist, and composer. Recently, just prior to an […]