Thank you for creating this wonderful blog, "Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop
Music Influence." As part of a book project on Singapore's creative
reception of American popular culture, I have frequently consulted and
benefited from this most extensive resource on the topic.
Your blog mentions that some of your Silver Strings band mates were pupils of
Singapore's Hawaiian guitarist Harry Martinez. Did you also know him?
Reading books about music, transcribed interviews with Martinez and
newspaper articles, I have learned that he was a pioneer of Hawaiian music
in Singapore, performing and teaching the Hawaiian guitar before World War
II. During the Japanese Occupation he formed a Hawaiian band after being
relocated to Bahau. In the post-war period, he performed Hawaiian music on
a weekly radio program and mesmerized the British Malayan audience.
With special interest in exploring the history of Hawaiian music and dance
in Singapore, my desire is to learn in depth about Martinez, his
work, and everything possible from people who knew him by direct contact
or were his fans. Additionally other Hawaiian guitarists like Barney
Morier, Anthony Danker, Jose Daroya and Benedict De Souza are of
interest. I would appreciate it if you and your readers are able to share
your memories of these musicians.
Dr Eriko Ogihara-Schuck
Lecturer of American Studies
TU Dortmund University, Germany
--
Thank you again for offering to help me out!
Sincerely,
Eriko
If anyone can help Dr. Eriko with the information she needs, do write to her at
email address: eriko.ogihara@tu-dortmund.de.
Otherwise, a direct note, with the necessary information under the Comment page, will be appreciated.
