Bio - Sistah Robi

In the early ’90s, Hawaiian Style Band, led by Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern, redefined contemporary Hawaiian music. They offered a fresh musical perspective on local culture with original compositions about living Hawaiian style—about island romance, talking story, ‘ohana, and sovereignty. Their interpretation of Hawaiian language songs re-acquainted music fans with these important compositions.

The multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning band was conceptualized as a revolving band, a collaboration of more than fifty musicians over the course of its three albums: ​Vanishing Treasures, Rhythm of the Ocean,​ and ​‘Ohana​. Participants included Hawaiian music notables Israel Kamakawiwaʻole; Bla, Cyril, and Martin Pahinui; Fiji; Teresa Bright; the Ka‘au Crater Boys; Del Beazley, and Robi Kahakalau.

For the 26th anniversary celebration of ​Vanishing Treasures​, Robi joins Bryan and Wade in delivering the distinctive vocal harmony of Hawaiian Style Band. Robi has since released five solo albums, earning her multiple Hōkū awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. Her collaborative project with Sean Na‘auao was among the finalists for a Grammy Award. Robi has appeared as featured guest vocalist more often than any Hawaiian recording artist and has toured and performed with legends like Keali‘i Reichel, the Ka‘au Crater Boys, Hapa, Willy K, Henry Kapono, and the Makaha Sons, with whom she was blessed with not one, but two performances at Carnegie Hall. No doubt, Sistah Robi has held her spot as one of Hawaii’s most recognized voices for the past two decades.

Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern wrote and produced Hawaiian Style Band's first three albums. Bryan has gone on to produce and perform on twelve albums in Japan and Hawaii. He contributed a selection to the 2005 compilation album ​Slack Key Volume 2 which went on to win Hawaii's first Grammy Award. As an active guitarist, he's toured with Nā Leo, Jake Shimabukuro, Hawaii Pops, and Lion King, as well other artists from pop to jazz. Bryan has developed a playing style that reflects both the Hawaiian Islands and the urban sound of Philadelphia, his homeland.

While immediately recognizable as Robi’s duet partner in “Love and Honesty,” Wade Cambern has enjoyed a rich career as composer and lyricist of beloved songs such as “Let’s Talk Story,” “Rhythm of the Ocean,” “Live A Little,” and “Love and Honesty.” Wade Cambern has collaborated with many of Hawaii’s iconic musical figures, including Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole with whom he and Bryan co-wrote “Living In A Sovereign Land.” He has also arranged new renditions of Hawaiian standards such as “No Ke Ano Ahiahi,” “Kaimana Hila,” and “Wahine ‘Ilikea.” The sounds and themes of life in Hawaii profoundly influenced Wadeʻs musical identity in his solo album ​A Blue Canoe​ and the 2014 Hōkū-nominated Hawaiian Style Band album ​Hānau Hou, ​co-produced with Garin Poliahu.

Performing hits from their first two CDs as well as songs from each of their solo CDs, Bryan, Wade, and Robi will be joined by bassist, Alex Morrison as ​Hawaiian Style Band Quartet 2018​.