Today we’d like to introduce you to Keala Kaumeheiwa.

Keala, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I started playing the bass in high school. I was drawn to jazz music by the Miles Davis record “Kind of Blue”, and his bassist Paul Chambers in particular. I studied music in college and was inspired by many wonderful teachers and colleagues. I settled in the Boston area and found work playing the bass, and I eventually started teaching bass and ensemble classes. I continue this work today.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I don’t think anyone has had a smooth road. There are always challenges, even if things look like they’re smooth from the outside. Early on it was difficult to get steady work, especially enough to make a living without jobs outside of music. This area of the country is very expensive, so there were always doubts about whether I could afford to keep playing.
Playing music for a living, especially jazz music, is not the easiest road–even in a place like Boston, where there are more opportunities than other places.
There were certainly disappointments that go along with this kind of work: failing auditions, being turned down for jobs, both playing and teaching. Self doubt about your abilities can easily spiral. There have been many periods that I question what I’m doing.
Beyond musical and employment struggles, there have been personal health issues as well. They are being handled, but I realize that life will always present challenges. I’ve grown to understand this and accept it without bitterness.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m a professional bass player and teacher. I specialize in jazz music, and I play the upright acoustic bass. I’m most proud of being able to make many different situations work; both as a player and a teacher. I understand my job: how to make the band work as a cohesive unit and to promote engagement and communication on the bandstand. I’m able to make people comfortable; to make it easier for fellow musicians to express themselves.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

I am the worst at predicting anything. The outlook has always been negative for the past 20 years, but the industry survives. The trend for live jazz music has been in decline, but that has been going for the last 60 years or so. Jazz seems to be in the same state as classical music, with the challenge of finding a younger audience.
But those that are into the music keep that love long term. So while the trend seems to be going down, there will always be die=hard supporters.

Image Credits

Pang-Dian Fan