Ray Kane

Ray Kane was one of Hawaii’s most revered slack-key guitarists, known for his traditional approach to this deeply Hawaiian art form. Born in 1925, Kane learned the slack-key style from his family and developed a playing technique that emphasized simplicity and emotion, making his music deeply soulful and authentic. His recordings and performances have played a vital role in the preservation of Hawaiian slack-key guitar, which was once in danger of fading away.

In 1987, Ray Kane was honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, recognizing his contributions to Hawaiian music. Kane’s gentle yet profound guitar playing and his dedication to passing on the tradition have made him a legendary figure in both Hawaiian and world music circles.

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