Robert Cazimero
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Bio
For Hawaiians, coming of age in the 1970’s was a turbulent time, but for Robert Cazimero it was the time when he discovered himself and his life’s purpose…Hawaiian music and the art of Hula. This discovery has taken him on an amazing journey. While the journey was not without turbulence, his path became clear and he followed it to where he is today; at the top of his game in his music and certainly in the art of Hula.
Robert’s twin passions have always been inter-related. They are the threads that weave the intricate patterns that are Robert Cazimero. His musical talent was recognized at the age of three, followed quickly with piano lessons while still in elementary school where his quickness endeared him to his instructors while his ability to vary and improvise astounded them. Robert’s secondary education required participation in the Kamehameha Schools’ Concert Glee Club and Hawaiian Ensemble. His knowledge of music deepened but more importantly, he came in contact with the person who would serve as his Kumu Hula (hula teacher), Maiki Aiu Lake and just at the right time for the Hawaiian cultural renaissance was blooming.
And so it came to be that at the height of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance, Robert Cazimero was learning the art of hula from one of the most respected masters of the dance form. Already known for changing the familiar sound of Hawaiian music, Aunty Maiki infused Robert with her vision of him starting an all-male halau (hula school). Men dancing hula as a halau was something that had not happened in decades. She envisioned men dancing hula with pride and masculine grace and Robert soon shared this passionate image.
Over the ensuing decades, Robert has realized Maiki’s dream, again and again, dedicating his energy to the once vanishing tradition of male hula. With the knowledge passed on from Maiki coupled with his own talent and passion, Robert has inspired hundreds of men to carry on this magnificent art form and continues to lead Halau Na Kamalei, known as the only all-male hula halau that exists in the world today.
Robert’s elegant voice is so distinctive that whether he performs on piano or with his brother Roland as the Brothers Cazimero, he is instantly recognized and people are compelled to listen. Recording music has also played a vital part in Robert’s life journey. During that journey, he has been a part of close to 40 full album projects; many considered classics in the history of Hawaiian music. The popular success of the music he has made and participated in is recognized through dozens of awards, performances on the world’s most prestigious stages, and the millions of albums that have been bought by people around the world.
Robert’s passion and talent have played a huge role in taking Hawaiian music and dance to diverse stages from Carnegie Hall, Wolftrap, Tokyo, and the Hollywood Bowl; his voice has graced the orchestra’s of the New York Pops, the LA Philharmonic, the Boston Pops and of course, the Honolulu Symphony. Hula is always an integral part of these shows as it is in all performances large and small of the Brothers Cazimero and whenever he performs a solo engagement.
While it’s not too early to measure the impact of Robert Cazimero on the world of Hawaiian music and dance, it is way too early for Robert to stop creating for the passion continues as does his life’s journey on the path of hula and Hawaiian music.