Arlie-Avery Asiu
BIO
Arlie-Avery Asiu grew up on Maui and was first introduced to the ‘ukulele by his uncle as a youngster. A few years later, as a fourth grader at Wailuku Elementary School, he joined his classmates in learning to play classic favorites like You Are My Sunshine. At the tender age of nine years old, he started composing his own music. To date, he has recorded and released four instrumental ‘ukulele albums comprised of all original music, written, composed and performed by Arlie-Avery.
Three of the albums, “Ukulele...Off the Couch” and “My Dog Has Fleas” earned Arlie-Avery Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations in 2017 and 2018. His music is best known for incorporating a variety of music genres, from jazz to rock, and from classical to Hawaiian. His musical stylings blend ‘ukulele with cello, bass, saxophone, various percussion instruments and—in true Hawai‘i style—a rubbah slippah. Arlie’s enthusiasm shines through in his refreshingly upbeat music. He prefers fancy finger picking over strumming and loves to experiment with unusual tunings. He doesn’t play it safe—he stretches himself artistically.
His latest album entitled, “Arlie & His Magic ʻUkulele”, was released in November 2021 and was a finalist in the 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for ʻUkulele Album of the Year. It was inspired by the late Uncle Willie K, who often spoke about his desire to write a children’s book with the same name. Arlie-Avery had the privilege of playing his original music as a regular opening act for Uncle Willie K’s Thursday night Blues show and Sunday Brunch at the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
These days, Arlie-Avery can be found in the studio recording his next album, which will feature his love of other stringed instruments, including the electric and acoustic guitar. He enjoys performing for a variety of events around the island of Maui and teaching ‘ukulele lessons to people of all ages.
