Blue Bear Hawaii presents world-renowned guitarist Stanley Jordan who has developed a new live tribute to Jimi Hendrix dubbed “Stanley Plays Jimi,” and its coming to the Palace Theater in Hilo on June 3.
“Stanley Plays Jimi” is a new project but it’s based on an old idea. The Hilo show gets underway at 7 p.m.
“Back in 1970 at the age of 11 I was saddened to hear of Jimi’s passing. I decided there and then to try to continue his legacy, so I took up the guitar. Of course, my main goal was to be an original artist in my own right, but the concept of a Hendrix tribute has been in my mind pretty much from the start. The time feels right to bring this idea to fruition,” Jordan says.
In recent years, Jordan has performed with many artists in the rock and jam-band worlds, including the Dave Matthews Band, Umphrey’s McGee, Moe. and more.
“Returning to my rock roots has been an absolute joy artistically, and with this project, I’m taking that to a new level,” Jordan says.
Jordan also builds on Hendrix’s work by incorporating touch or two-hand tapping techniques. Many people associate that more with Van Halen than with Hendrix, but Jordan says, “I actually got the idea from Jimi Hendrix. I saw him do it with just his left hand, but that’s all I needed to see. I just added the right hand, which was an obvious extension.”
And extend it he did. Today, Jordan is considered by many to be the world’s best tapper, having developed it into a rich pianistic style.
Tickets for the June 3 show start at $38 in advance, with Gold Circle tickets also available for a higher price. For tickets and information, visit bluesbearhawaii.com or call (808) 896-4845.
Tickets can also be purchased at Palace Theater Box Office, Hilo and Kona Music Exchange locations, Kiernan Music, Waimea General Store and Rogers Guitars.
