Hal Aloma

Hal Aloma (January 8, 1908 – June 26, 1980)^[2] was a Hawaiian steel guitarist, singer and bandleader.

Hal Aloma
Born	Harold David Alama (1908-01-08)January 8, 1908[1]
Died	June 26, 1980(1980-06-26) (aged 72)[1]
Occupation	Musician
Nationality	Hawaiian

Biography

Aloma was born on January 8, 1908^[2] in Honolulu^[3] as Harold David Alama.^[4] He changed his name in the 1930s in response to the movies Bird of Paradise and Aloma of the South Seas.^[3] Aloma joined Lani McIntyre's band as steel guitarist. He began his musical career with his brother, Sam Alama at the Alexander Young Hotel and the Moana Hotel.^[5] Under his own name, he recorded three sessions for Decca records between February and April 1944.^[4] In 1944, when McIntyre left a four-year booking at the Hawaiian Room in New York's Hotel Lexington, Aloma formed his own band and took over the engagement.^[6] MGM booked him for two sessions in 1952, resulting in eight sides which were later compiled into an LP album.^[4] He first recorded for Columbia Records in August and September 1953, resulting in song appearing not only on U.S. Columbia, but on Japanese Columbia and Philips in the Netherlands.^[4] He was featured on the Ed Sullivan Show on June 19, 1960, in a segment in tribute to Hawaii's statehood.^[7] When Disney's Polynesian Village Resort opened Aloma was the bandleader.^[3] Aloma died on June 26, 1980.^[2]

Style

Aloma was accounted as a "typical" traditional Hawaiian singer, although he recorded tracks that were intended to appeal to currently popular tastes.^[8] His original band's instrumentation had more in common with the big band of the day than with traditional Hawaiian music.^[6] Nevertheless it was accounted to be smooth "island music" even though it also performed current American pop music.^[6] In addition to musicians, his touring band also employed young women as hula dancers.^[9] Billboard stated that "Hawaiian music at its best is expected" of Aloma, describing his music as authentic and charming.^[10] He composed more than 65 songs.^[5]

Partial discography

Albums

• King's Serenade - Decca A-429. (1946)^[11]
• King's Serenade Volume 2 - Decca A-506 (1946)^[4]
• A Musical Portrait of Hawaii - Columbia CL 538. (1950s)^[12]
• Hal Aloma Sings Hawaiian Songs - Dot 3451/25451 (1962)^[8]
• Hawaiian Dreams - Dot 3758/25758 (1966)^[10]