Celebrate the return of Exotica to Waikiki with modern Exotica supergroup, The WAITIKI 7. Exotica music, which first emerged during the Golden Age of Waikiki, was pioneered by virtuoso pianist Martin Denny and vibraphonist Arthur Lyman. Their groundbreaking albums Exotica and Taboo ignited a cultural phenomenon, drawing inspiration from the diverse ethnic influences present in post-World War II Hawaiʻi. "Exotica music brought Hawaiʻi’s jazz musicians to the world stage,” says Randy Wong, bassist and leader of WAITIKI 7. “It’s a cultural tapestry—an artistic interpretation of the melting pot that makes Hawaiʻi so special. The live performances are ‘lightning in a bottle,’ and we’re honored to contribute to the legacy of live music in Waikiki, and especially at the Blue Note Hawaii."
Also the title of their new combination studio/live album, Exotica Reborn, reaffirms Exotica’s place in the fabric of Hawaiʻi’s musical history, ensuring that its mesmerizing rhythms continue to captivate audiences for generations to come. The WAITIKI 7 have dedicated the last two decades to keeping the Exotica tradition alive, which is no small feat. True performance of Exotica music requires a high level of virtuosity, finesse: scholarship and understanding of the jazz & folkloric traditions that contributed to its mid-century sound and vocabulary, as well as a high degree of compositional, orchestration, and arranging skills.
To develop the band’s precisely-coded sound while creating a platform for improvisation, the band turns mainly to its reedman, Tim Mayer, whose recent work with the Orquesta Nacional de Jazz de Mexico reintroduced space age pop composer Juan Garcia Esquivel to Mexican audiences. As Exotica also draws heavily on clave-based Afro-Cuban jazz and cha-cha-chá, pianist Zaccai Curtis—recognized in 2024 with a GRAMMY for his own project, Cubop Lives—provides a healthy dose of artistic & historical insight with his colorful montuno & guajeo. Violinist Helen Liu of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, and versatile vibraphonist Mika Mimura, brilliantly add to the group’s orchestral-yet-chamber sound.
The band also has several ties to the original musicians who originated the genre. Randy Wong was introduced to Exotica by Arthur Lyman; drummer Abe Lagrimas Jr. performed with Martin Denny, and percussionist/bird caller Lopaka Colón vocally produces the same bird & animal calls that his father, Augie Colón Sr. (who was a game hunter from the island Molokaʻi) brought to Exotica music. The band worked extensively with former CBS Music supervisor Robert Drasnin, Boston-based producer Brother Cleve, and Retro Cocktail Hour creator Darrell Brogdon to develop its literacies around mid century lounge music, pop culture, and the related aesthetics.
The WAITIKI 7's accolades include JazzWeek chart-topping releases, Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominations, and features in NPR, JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz. Founded in Boston by Hawaiʻi musicians Randy Wong and Abe Lagrimas Jr., The WAITIKI 7 emerged after the 1990s lounge revival, filling a void as one of the few professional ensembles dedicated to Exotica. Today, they continue to bring the genre’s lush instrumentation and evocative soundscapes to new generations worldwide. For more information, visit WAITIKI.com
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The WAITIKI 7 is a modern Exotica supergroup that blends jazz with global influences to create an immersive sound. Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s golden age of Waikiki, Exotica was pioneered by musicians like Les Baxter, Martin Denny, and Arthur Lyman, and The WAITIKI 7 continues that tradition while redefining the genre for today’s audiences.
Composed of conservatory-trained musicians, including GRAMMY winners and symphony performers, the band has spent 20 years preserving and advancing Exotica. Their accolades include JazzWeek chart-topping releases, Na Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, and features in the LA Times, Boston Globe, NPR, Global Village, JazzTimes, Downbeat, Jazziz, Giant Robot, Mother Jones, Audiophile Audition, and more.
Founded in Boston by Hawaiʻi musicians Randy Wong and Abe Lagrimas Jr., The WAITIKI 7 emerged after the 1990s lounge revival, filling a void as one of the few professional ensembles dedicated to Exotica. Today, they continue to bring the genre’s lush instrumentation and evocative soundscapes to new generations worldwide.
