Leonard Kwan - biography

Leonard Kwan was one of the three most influential slack key guitarists in history, along with Gabby Pahinui & Sonny Chillingworth. With these early landmark recordings, Leonard Ke‘ala Kwan (1931-2000) was firmly established as one of slack key's most distinctive and influential talents in the history of slack key guitar. This first CD reissue of the late Leonard Kwan's historic Tradewinds recordings marks an important event for all fans of slack key. Leonard's unique and beautiful style is lovingly represented on these 28 legendary tracks recorded from 1957-1974. This CD includes his debut recording, plus all of the masterful Tradewinds tracks with Leonard as a leader, plus two songs featuring him as a sideman. His classic 1960 album SLACK KEY (fondly known as the "Red Album"), part of this reissue, was the first ever all-instrumental album of slack key guitar. It influenced and inspired everyone who plays slack key and continues to be the most influential slack key guitar album in history.