The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College welcomes traditional Hawaiian artist Steven Espaniola to its ‘Backstage Pass Concert Series’ on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 pm. Steven will share songs and stories throughout the evening to a limited audience seated with the artists on the Concert Hall stage.
Steven Espaniola is redefining traditional Hawaiian music with his unique sound. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist who specializes in Ki Ho’alu (Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar), Ukulele, Upright Bass, and Leo Ki’e Ki’e (Traditional Hawaiian Falsetto), he seamlessly blends tradition with modernity.
Raised in Aliamanu, Hawai’i, and now residing in the California Bay Area, Steven’s diverse heritage — Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish — reflects the richness of his music. His debut album, Ho’omaka (“to begin”), produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Dave Tucciarone, captures the essence of old Hawai’i with soaring falsetto, slack-key guitar, and rhythmic ukulele. This release earned him “New Artist of the Year” at the 2007 Hawaii Music Awards.
His follow-up album, Ho’omaopopo (“to understand”), further showcases his artistry. It features collaborations with Bryan Tolentino, Jeff Peterson, Casey Olsen, Matt Sproat (Waipuna), and Kumu Kawika Alfiche. Produced again by Tucciarone, it’s become a favorite among Hawaiian music lovers.
Steven is working on his third studio album, blending timeless Hawaiian classics with original compositions. With his signature style and past collaborators, this project promises to stand out.
In addition to recording, Steven passionately promotes Hawaiian culture. In 2015, he was honored with the Kulia I Ka Nu’u Award from the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California for spreading the Aloha Spirit.
Steven has performed and taught at top ukulele festivals, including Tunes in the Dunes (Oregon), Reno Ukulele Festival (Nevada), San Francisco Ukulele Festival (California), Rocky Mountain Ukefest (Colorado), and Mighty Uke Day (Michigan). He also contributes to Ukulele Magazine as a guest editor.
With a passion for preserving and evolving Hawaiian music, Steven Espaniola continues to captivate audiences. His upcoming album will undoubtedly further his legacy.
Tickets are $38. To ensure authenticity and fair pricing, purchase tickets for all Community Concert Hall events exclusively at DurangoConcerts.com. Beware of third-party resellers, as they may overcharge or sell invalid tickets. For assistance, contact the Community Concert Hall Box Office at 970–247–7657, Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 5pm.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and financial and in-kind contributions from generous community members.