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Noel Okimoto: Ho'ihi

By Jack Bowers
March 13, 2025
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Honolulu-born

Noel Okimoto

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Noel Okimoto has been playing drums professionally since he was eleven years old. He has learned over the years to supervise the drum kit with equanimity and deference, a standard that Okimoto's octet endorses when approaching the music on his second album as a leader, Ho'ihi (ho-ee-hee), a Hawaiian phrase that translates roughly into "treat with reverence and respect."

While Okimoto is a proud son of the Islands, those who are searching for Hawaiian-inspired themes will have to look elsewhere, as Ho'ihi has none to offer. This is sharp, straight-ahead contemporary jazz, more bop-than Pacific Ocean-inspired, ably construed and eagerly served by Okimoto and his talented teammates. Much of the music is upbeat, as suits Okimoto's gregarious nature, and rhythmically strong, as suits his innovative skill set. The opening "Cachorra" sets the compass, its charming Brazilian beat reinforcing sharp solos by trumpeter

DeShannon Higa

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">DeShannon Higa and flutist

Allen Won

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Allen Won. Okimoto's drums introduce "Up Syndrome," another swinger that leads to the funky "Braying" and limber "Karing Karing," Okimoto's warm tribute to one of his mentors, saxophonist

Gabe Baltazar

saxophone, alto
1929 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Gabe Baltazar.

Vibraphonist

Abe Lagrimas

ukulele

" data-original-title="" title="">Abe Lagrimas, who plays a supporting role on the earlier numbers, asserts himself more fully with seductive solos on the lyrical "Patina Ballerina" and prancing "Lethologica," which precede the gladsome "Longest Day," on which Won's nimble soprano shines, as it does on "Karing Karing." The mood changes and tempo slows on "Wayne-ing Days," Okimoto's salute to the late saxophonist

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter, before accelerating again on "Cachorro," a fast-paced showcase for the rhythm section. The jaunty "Nine and a Half" and jazz waltz "Under the Bottom" follow, leading to the session's carefree and pleasing finale, "Opuscule for Rowan."

There is an abundance of pleasurable music to respect and savor on Ho'ihi, an album whose brightness is immutable and whose heart is definitely in the right place.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Cachorra; Up Syndrome; Braying; Karing Karing (for Gabe Baltazar); Patina Ballerina (for the cymbalsmiths); Lethologica; Longest Day; Wayne-ing Days (for Wayne Shorter); Cachorro; Nine and a Half; Under the Bottom; Opuscule for Rowan.

Personnel

Noel Okimoto

drums

DeShannon Higa

trumpet

Allen Won

saxophone

Abe Lagrimas, Jr.

drums

Tommy James

piano

Michael Grande

piano

Haru Takauchi

guitar

Album information

Title: Ho'ihi | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced

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