PERCUSSIONIST

BIO

Born to the “Sophisticated Savage,” Augie Colón Sr. (original member of the Exotic sounds of Martin Denny), Augie Borero “Lopaka” Colón Jr. has followed in his father’s footsteps and is taking those steps forward to the next generation. Lopaka Colón graduated from Moloka’i High School in 1992 with a scholarship to attend the University, Manoa. He majored in Ethnomusicology with a minor in the Spanish language, Lopaka performed with the UH marching band, Symphonic, Jazz ensembles, and a percussion group named “Campus Drummers” headed by Robert “Sango” Russell playing Afro-Cuban rhythms off and on campus. Lopaka integrated the teachings of his father, private Afro-Cuban/Classical percussion lessons, and UH schooling into his own unique style.

Today, Lopaka Colón is an established percussionist and multi “Na Hoku Hanohano” award winner (Hawaiߵi’s version of the Grammys). In the late ’90s, Lopaka found musical success in a band named “Pure Heart,” rated in the top 50 musical groups of all time in Hawaiߵi and also one of Hawaiߵi’s youngest musical groups ever to take the local music scene by storm in such a short period. The group evolved into Colón (in honor of Lopakaʻs father-Augie Colón). Both bands won the “Peoples Choice” award at the Hokuʻs as favorite Entertainers of the year for two consecutive years. He has collaborated with the majority of Hawaiߵi’s top-notch musicians either doing studio work, live performances, or just having fun “Kanikapila”(musical jam) style.

He is a key component in the success of several local bands like the Grammy-nominated “Wild Hawaiian” project with the Henry Kapono Band, the Barefoot Natives (uncle Willie K. & Eric Gilliom), living legends-C&K, the Makana trio (slack-key/world-fusion), the Waitiki 7 (Classic Exotica for modern listeners), and Don Tiki (Las Vegas type of an Exotica show band) to name a few. Additionally, Lopaka has collaborated with Michael McDonald and Rock-n-Roll hall of fame drummer Mick Fleetwood, with his “Island Rumours” Band performing for corporate clients. Lopaka plays a pivotal role in the non-profit group, The Mana Maoli Collective. This collective group supports the education of native Hawaiian children in Hawaiian charter schools via benefit concerts, CD sales, cultural events, and workshops. This group also represents Hawaiߵi as the largest Polynesian festival focused on the cultural art forms of Polynesia in New Zealand called The Pasifika. Lopaka performs 6 nights a week as part of a house band in the world-renowned show “Legends in Concert” at the Royal Hawaiian Theater in the heart of Waikiki. The show features impersonators such as Elvis, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Little Richard, Steven Tyler, and Elton John to name a few. In his spare time, Lopaka also drums for Tunui Tully and the Royal Polynesians, a family Tahitian/Hula Halau that features Storytelling, Dance, and Music of Tahiti and Hawaiߵi. For the first time in his musical career, Lopaka is spearheading his own group/band/project called “IntoxiKa”. It is a blend of esoteric and conscious themes with vintage interpretations of Exotica, fused with Funk, Rock, Dub(step), Latin jazz, and Hip-hop grooves while honoring the forefathers of Exotica and getting the next generations’ “groove on”.