Biography
Born on 31 December 1907 in Hawaii, Tapia took up the ukulele during his youth, when the instrument enjoyed strong local favor. Joining the Johnny Noble Orchestra in 1927 at age 19, he performed at the recently opened Royal Hawaiian Hotel, widely referred to as ‘Waikiki’s Pink Palace’. His emergence as a virtuoso drew notice from visiting artists such as Louis Armstrong along with entertainment figures including film stars Clark Gable and Shirley Temple plus broadcaster Arthur Godfrey, to whom he reportedly gave ukulele instruction. After relocating to the San Francisco region, Tapia maintained an active performance schedule across subsequent decades yet received scant recognition beyond his immediate circles.
His remarkable technical command, which age left untouched, eventually sparked broader interest, supported by the early-2000s release of the award-winning documentary film To You Sweetheart, Aloha that chronicled his extended career. At 96 he cut his first album in 2004, and the next year he appeared frequently in San Francisco both alone and directing a quartet whose ukulele fronted steel guitar, Spanish guitar and string bass. He simultaneously headed a second quartet featuring bass player Ruth Davies, drummer Akira Tana and award-winning Hawaiian singer Mihana, daughter of Irmgard Farden Aluli and a member of the group Puamana.
His remarkable technical command, which age left untouched, eventually sparked broader interest, supported by the early-2000s release of the award-winning documentary film To You Sweetheart, Aloha that chronicled his extended career. At 96 he cut his first album in 2004, and the next year he appeared frequently in San Francisco both alone and directing a quartet whose ukulele fronted steel guitar, Spanish guitar and string bass. He simultaneously headed a second quartet featuring bass player Ruth Davies, drummer Akira Tana and award-winning Hawaiian singer Mihana, daughter of Irmgard Farden Aluli and a member of the group Puamana.
Albums
Live
