Honolulu – The Honolulu Symphony today announced the eagerly-awaited concert line-up for the Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops 2008-2009 season as Maestro Matt Catingub returns to the podium to celebrate his tenth season as pops conductor. For his fun-filled and innovative tenth season, Maestro Catingub has brought together many of music’s most applauded entertainers, including Chicago’s Peter Cetera, jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, “blu-bop” heroes Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Hawaiian music legend Willie K, and the one-and-only Diana Krall. The new season also features a celebration of the music of the legendary Ray Charles featuring Ellis Hall, and the Toyota Pops debut of Latin jazz marvel Poncho Sanchez. Subscriptions for this must-experience Toyota Pops season start from an affordable $126 for all seven concerts. Seating is limited and Toyota Pops fans are encouraged to subscribe early to lock-in the best seats at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Please contact the Symphony Box Office at (808) 792-2000 and visit www.honolulusymphony.com for more information and a brochure.

“The 2008-2009 Toyota Pops season is a fantastic opportunity to experience everything symphonic pops concerts has to offer, from beautiful new orchestral arrangement of pop hits and rock ballads, to the unmistakable thrill of star premieres, to the chance to see and hear the multi-talented musicians of the orchestra flex their ‘artistic muscles’ with genres such as smooth jazz and Latin jazz, plus bluegrass, pop and Hawaiian contemporary,” said Maestro Catingub. “Five world-renowned artists will make their Toyota Pops concert debuts, including such greats as Peter Cetera and Poncho Sanchez, and we’re thrilled to welcome the return of Dave Koz, and of course, the irreplaceable Diana Krall.”

“The 2008-2009 Toyota Pops season represents some of the greatest talent in pop music today, and Toyota Pops fans can anticipate concerts filled with favorite classic pop songs, from golden oldies to the hits of the eighties and nineties,” said Tom Gulick, Executive Director, Honolulu Symphony. “The pops orchestra under Matt Catingub’s leadership sounds better than ever, and we warmly encourage everyone to treat themselves to a season of fabulous nights out as the Toyota Pops presents the most entertaining and enjoyable season ever. Mahalo to our season sponsor, Toyota Dealers of Hawaii, for their generous support, which has made this terrific season possible, and for their unflagging support of the performing arts in Hawaii.”

TOYOTA POPS 2008-2009 SEASON:

All concerts take place at the Neil S. Blaisdell Concert Hall.

PETER CETERA
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 8 pm and
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8 pm

Singer, songwriter, and bassist Peter Cetera entertains with chart-topping ballads such as “You’re The Inspiration” and “If You Leave Me Now” in his thrilling debut with the Pops. As the lead singer and bassist for the legendary rock group Chicago, Cetera wrote and sang some of the biggest hits of the rock and pop music era – and his ensuing solo career continued the chart-topping successes of his days with Chicago. Experience this exciting Pops debut and such classic hits as “After All,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Next Time I Fall,” and “Glory of Love” for the movie Karate Kid, Part II.

WILLIE K
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 8 pm and
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8 pm

Maui’s Willie Kahaiali‘i (a.k.a Willie K) is credited with changing the direction of contemporary Hawaiian music in the nineties with his fusion of jazz, blues and R&B influences. Since then, he has performed around the world with music’s biggest stars. Now it’s time to return “home” for his debut with the Pops. Experience the heart and soul of Willie K’s unique sound and style in this highly-anticipated concert event!

THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES FEATURING ELLIS HALL
Friday, October 24, 2008 at 8 pm and
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8 pm

From country to blues, jazz, R&B and funk, the legendary Ray Charles set the standard for greatness during a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades. Join the Pops for this celebration of the music of the pioneering singer-pianist-composer who gave us years of musical pleasure with hits ranging from “Georgia on My Mind” and “Hit the Road Jack” to “I Got a Woman,” “The Night Time (Is the Right Time),” “What’d I Say” and “Unchain My Heart.” Join the Pops for the premiere of this new concert program featuring multi-instrumentalist virtuoso Ellis Hall.

B�o/ooLA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES
Friday, November 28, 2008 at 8 pm and
Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 8 pm

Critically-acclaimed Béla Fleck and the Flecktones bring their irresistible “blu-bop” mix of jazz and bluegrass to the Pops. Hailed as a banjo virtuoso, Fleck is a powerfully creative force in bluegrass, jazz, pop, rock and world beat – and will be premiering his brand new Holiday album with the Toyota Pops. With the names Béla (for Bartok), Anton (for Dvorak) and Léos (for Janacek), Fleck seems to have been destined to receive the Grammy Award for “Best Classical Crossover Album” – a feat he recently accomplishes. His total Grammy count is an incredible eight Grammys. Don’t miss Béla Fleck and the Flecktones’ riveting musical blends in their Pops debut!

DAVE KOZ
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 8 pm and
Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 8 pm

In a career spanning nearly two decades, Dave Koz has established himself as a platinum-selling artist and instrumental music advocate. The celebrated jazz saxophonist returns to Honolulu for two romantic and elegant concerts featuring chart-topping songs, such Koz’s moving rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” which received a Grammy nomination for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance.” Join the Pops for this celebration of the magic of music!

DIANA KRALL
Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8 pm and
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 8 pm
Please note special Thursday, Friday schedule.

The incomparable Diana Krall returns to the Pops stage with her cool, heavy-lidded vocals and strikingly sensitive piano playing that have secured her an undoubted place at the top of the jazz charts. Diana will light up the night with music from her latest release, “This Moment On,” plus timeless, vintage standards by such composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Van Heusen and Cahn, and Bacharach and David.

PONCHO SANCHEZ
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 8 pm and
Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8 pm

More than anything else, Poncho Sanchez is a storyteller. And, as leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today, it’s his congas that do the talking. Join the Pops for this spectacular season finale as renowned percussionist Poncho Sanchez spins vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories of a half-century tradition that was born when Afro-Cuban rhythms merged with bebop.

The Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops series is made possible thanks to the generosity of our season sponsor, Toyota Dealers of Hawaii.

The Honolulu Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of the City and County of Honolulu Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts. The Honolulu Symphony also thankfully acknowledges the valued support of the Honolulu Advertiser and Servco Lexus.

These concerts are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii and by the National Endowment for the Arts.