From his modest upbringing in Honolulu to his soul searching in Los Angeles… Read Full Bio ↴From his modest upbringing in Honolulu to his soul searching in Los Angeles, Daniel has learned to wear many hats over the years—musician, producer, singer/songwriter, arranger, composer, engineer, record company owner—and has come to wear them well. The most befitting of these roles has been for his two Grammy Award achievements as a producer and featured slack key guitarist in the Best Hawaiian Music Album category.
Daniel’s musical inclinations were apparent at an early age. His first instruments were organ and ‘ukulele, then he graduated to classical guitar and piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and eventually, voice. He dreamt big and followed his aspirations. This led him to study composing, arranging and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he began his professional career as the leader, keyboardist, composer, and producer for Kilauea, a contemporary jazz group he formed in 1990. By 1997, Kilauea had released six chart-topping albums, two of which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s jazz charts.
As momentum of the smooth-jazz genre waned, Daniel set his sights on starting an independent record label. He longed for artistic freedom, a rare privilege in the music industry. His interests in photography and graphic design complimented the built-in responsibilities of marketing and production. In 1998 he launched Daniel Ho Creations. It began as a vanity effort and consisted of his solo piano and Hawaiian slack key guitar recordings. Slowly, the releases grew into collaborative projects that featured Hawaiian hymns, hula, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar music. To date, Daniel Ho Creations has released over fifty acoustic and Hawaiian-themed CDs by many of Hawai‘i’s most respected artists, who are first and foremost, friends. Daniel has received numerous Hawaiian music industry accolades including three Na Hoku Hanohano awards and eight Hawai‘i Music Awards.
In recent years, Daniel has been able to remain true to his craft and focus on what he loves most: the music. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter who has shared his music as a soloist throughout the U.S., Tasmania, Germany, and Japan. He has been featured with the Honolulu Symphony; toured as a keyboardist and guitarist for Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Peabo Bryson; guest-lectured at Stanford University; and authored instructional books on ‘ukulele and slack key guitar.
Daniel is a Yamaha guitar artist and plays Koaloha ‘ukuleles.
Daniel’s musical inclinations were apparent at an early age. His first instruments were organ and ‘ukulele, then he graduated to classical guitar and piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and eventually, voice. He dreamt big and followed his aspirations. This led him to study composing, arranging and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he began his professional career as the leader, keyboardist, composer, and producer for Kilauea, a contemporary jazz group he formed in 1990. By 1997, Kilauea had released six chart-topping albums, two of which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s jazz charts.
As momentum of the smooth-jazz genre waned, Daniel set his sights on starting an independent record label. He longed for artistic freedom, a rare privilege in the music industry. His interests in photography and graphic design complimented the built-in responsibilities of marketing and production. In 1998 he launched Daniel Ho Creations. It began as a vanity effort and consisted of his solo piano and Hawaiian slack key guitar recordings. Slowly, the releases grew into collaborative projects that featured Hawaiian hymns, hula, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar music. To date, Daniel Ho Creations has released over fifty acoustic and Hawaiian-themed CDs by many of Hawai‘i’s most respected artists, who are first and foremost, friends. Daniel has received numerous Hawaiian music industry accolades including three Na Hoku Hanohano awards and eight Hawai‘i Music Awards.
In recent years, Daniel has been able to remain true to his craft and focus on what he loves most: the music. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter who has shared his music as a soloist throughout the U.S., Tasmania, Germany, and Japan. He has been featured with the Honolulu Symphony; toured as a keyboardist and guitarist for Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Peabo Bryson; guest-lectured at Stanford University; and authored instructional books on ‘ukulele and slack key guitar.
Daniel is a Yamaha guitar artist and plays Koaloha ‘ukuleles.
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Jazzguts
Beautiful tone,arrangement and interpretation, sent to me by Kikalani,thanks for that,this guy has"IT",very fine guitarist indeed,really worthwhile Talent listening to,Greetings Victor.
Daniel Ho
Jazzguts thank you so much!
Mark Maysey
Outstanding Daniel, thank you for this lovely music. I recently downloaded your lovely CD "Polani" and purchased your accompanying book, I hope to be playing some of them soon on my recently purchased vintage Martin tenor ukulele. My wife and friends listened to Polani several times today in a car ride and a friend of mine said I never knew a ukulele could sound so wonderful. You're a fan of mine brother!!! Mark
GeebzTV
It was a great thing to get him the studio. He's also a VERY COOL person!!!
James Raymond
I've been listening to this for years now - it never ceases to restore joy to my heart - Thank you!!!
Patty Civalleri
Ah Danny, such a beautiful piece for Lia. Hope you are well. It's been way too many years.
Daniel Ho
Patty Civalleri thank you Patty! Long time no see
Randy Takeshita
Hey Daniel, great video! I have really been enjoying your book Contemporary Slack Key Guitar. (fyi I'm still a beginner) My guitar has stayed in G Kilauea tuning for the past 6 months. I've been trying to play Lia on and off for the past month and I'm so glad that I found your video here! Thanks for the great inspiration. If you get a chance to, I'd love to see you perform your version of Aloha Oe!!!
J. Jamie Sun Day
I wish I can be as good as him. He inspires me so much.
Leftcoast
You are always settling my day. Thank you so much since 1992.