Sonny Chillingworth
Sonny Chillingworth was one of the masters of Hawaiian slack-key guitar, known for his intricate picking style and ability to seamlessly blend traditional Hawaiian music with influences from other genres like country and jazz. Born in 1932, he learned to play slack-key guitar from legendary Hawaiian musicians, including his uncle, and eventually became one of the genre’s leading figures.
Chillingworth’s music helped preserve and popularize slack-key guitar during a time when it was not as widely known outside of Hawaii. His recordings, including songs like “Hi’ilawe,” are considered classics, and his influence on future generations of slack-key guitarists is profound.
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