Born and raised in Honolulu, Noel Okimoto has been playing professionally since the age of ten. Noel’s primary instrument is the drum set, but is also an accomplished orchestral percussionist, vibraphonist, composer and clinician.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion from the University of Hawaii. Noel has played in Hawaii, the mainland USA, and internationally with Freddie Hubbard, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Richie Cole, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Bud Shank, Barney Kessel, Lew Tabackin, Sadao Watanabe, Wynton Marsalis, Ronnie Cuber, Makoto Ozone, Jeff Richman, Larry Coryell, Nestor Torres, Gene Harris, Take 6, David Benoit, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Steve Allen, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Dionne Warwick, and Jake Shimabukuro, among others.

He was also a member of the Gabe Baltazar Group for five years. He is also the percussion section leader of the historic Royal Hawaiian Band.

His brand new album is entitled Ho’ihi (which means Respect) and is released on January 1st, 2025, and showcases the legendary drummer performing a wide range of modern jazz originals.

Although he is rightly proud of his Hawaiian heritage, Noel performs music on Ho’ihi that owes nothing to the usual stereotype of Hawaiian music. A swinging and versatile drummer, with his top-notch sideman, he introduces a dozen of his originals which explore and invigorate the mainstream of modern jazz.

1. Cachorra
2. Up Syndrome
3. Braying
4. Karing Karing
5. Patina Ballerina
6. Lethologica
7. Longest Day
8. Wayne-ing Day
9. Cachorro
10. Nine and a Half
11. Under The Bottom
12. Opuscule For Rowan

This vibrantly-hued, wholly inspired new recording opens on the sweeping rhythmical interplay within Cachorra and the triumphant Up Syndrome and they are followed by the melodious Braying, the free-flowing beauty of the shimmering Karing Karing, the decadent Patina Ballerina and the low slung Lethologica.

Along next is the playfully perky Longest Day and the ornately fashioned Wayne-ing Day and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the fervently-charged, dancefloor swirls and twirls of Cachorro, the graceful Nine and a Half, the album rounding out on the gently strident ebb and flow of Under The Bottom, closing on the flourishing Opuscule For Rowan.

Ho’ihi is a milestone in Noel Okimoto’s career, an enjoyable listen and an ideal way for listeners to become acquainted with some of the greats of the Hawaiian jazz scene.