He began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 6 and played french horn at Stevenson Intermediate and McKinley High School as well as the Hawaii Youth Symphony. Also active In the theater, he music directed two international tours of the Emmy Award winning musical “Bringin’ da Noise Bringin’ da Funk” starring tapdance legend Savion Glover. He retired from New York in 2012 and now lives in Honolulu.ĭean Taba is a freelance bassist, composer, producer, and educator living in Honolulu, HI. Also Lionel Hampton, Roberta Flack, Manu Dibango and Roy Ayers. He has provided musical support for artists Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, Grammy winners Cleo Laine and Maureen McGovern as well as the great Joe Williams.

A thirty year member of Duke Ellington Orchestra, he served as its conductor-director from 2011-2017. Over a span of almost five decades, pianist-arranger Tommy James has worked with a wide group of artists both in the studio and in live performances on six continents. On October 2, the SCEP Live Online fall concert series will present an evening of jazz. Versatile jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and music director Tommy James leads an all-star ensemble of local jazz musicians including Dean Taba (bass), Darryl Pellegrini (drums), DeShannon Higa (trumpet), and Reggie Padilla (tenor sax). The free hour-long performances will start at 7:00pm. For four consecutive Fridays, starting on October 2nd, live musical performances by local artists will be streamed for audiences to enjoy in the comfort and safety of their own homes. The Statewide Cultural Extension Program (SCEP), a program of UH Mānoa Outreach College, expands its SCEP Live Online offerings with a fall concert series.

Local hawaii music performances