A b o u t

Stephen Inglis – Guitar Slinger/Word Singer

Stephen Inglis is a versatile artist. He crosses genres, yet his music always radiates integrity.

Born and raised in Honolulu, he plays Grammy-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitar. He records and tours with the most respected traditional musicians.

Stephen is the 2021 recipient of the Ki Hōʻalu Legacy Award (Honoring those who perpetuate the art if Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar) giving him his third nod at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards; Hawaiʻiʻs highest musical honor.

2021 seeʻs Stephen showcasing his electric guitar chops and rock and roll side with two singles and videos: Music Is A River and Nothing Left To Prove.

His duet album with legend Dennis Kamakahi, Waimaka Helelei ia 2012 winner of the aforementioned award , and the CD is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Barely out of his teens, Stephen formed a group with legendary Grateful Dead drummer, Bill Kreutzmann.

Along with his strong respect for tradition, Stephen is a creative innovator. His album Slackin on Dylan opened up new territory for slack key, winning him a Hawaii Music Award. He has made three albums of his own singer-songwriter originals, acoustic and electric. His latest album, “Cut The Dead Some Slack” Grateful Dead interpreted Slack Key style, has been garnering rave reviews worldwide.

Stephen lives the music life to the full: club gigs, concerts, festivals, touring, recording. He has played to sold out crowds at esteemed venues such as The Barns at Wolftrap and the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Stephen keeps expanding his musical range. And he is a great collaborator, always open to finding common ground in melody and harmony. Stephen Inglis gathered some of Hawaii and the words finest Musicians to form the Stephen Inglis Project. The single and title track of their upcoming album, Music Is a River is out now. “In 2016, Stephen Inglis followed up a show in Dallas with a private tour of the legendary building at 508 Park Ave., the site of Robert Johnson’s second and final recording session. An acclaimed Hawa’I’an slack-key guitarist and vocalist, Inglis had many reasons to feel connected to the legendary Johnson, who listened to a wide array of music. Hawa’I’an music was extremely popular when Johnson was recording, and it cross-pollinated with the blues. The steel bar for lap slide came from the islands along with slack key. His host at 508 Park Avenue was Pat Bywaters, the executive director of the nonprofit Encore Park, which has preserved the building. As they parted, Pat said, “Music is a river, you dip your bucket in, then put some back.” You couldn’t ask for a much better whisper from the universe into the ear of a songwriter. ” Dennis McNally- Grateful Dead publicist, author and historian

"Inglis is a genre-bending, genre-blending chameleon, and, the fluidity and ease with which he navigates such a wide spectrum of influences is truly exceptional”
Evan Morgan
The News Hub

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