Buffalo Grove family to bringing the sounds of Hawaii to the suburbs
The Lee family's desire to sing Hawaiian music first surfaced at a funeral.
The grandmother of Brian Lee, who lives in Buffalo Grove, died in 2003, and he and his family traveled to Hawaii to say goodbye.
Lee and his relatives sang a traditional song at the funeral, and one of his daughters asked him what it was.
Five years later, Lee sings and plays Hawaiian music professionally with his four daughters at local venues. So far, they've mastered 20 songs.
More Coverage Video Family plays Hawaiian music as Makani
The family group, named Makani, will be an opening act June 24 during the Buffalo Grove Park District's Lawn Chair Lyrics summer concert series. The name means "windy" and was chosen as a reference to the Windy City.
Lee will be performing with his daughters Alyssa, 11; twins Courtney and Brittany, 9; and Gracie, 3. The girls also have their own set of Hawaiian names: Kamalani, Keali'i, Meali'i and Mahealani. Brian's Hawaiian name is Kaleo.
Lee said the singing is actually carrying on a family trait that was started by his father, who moved to the area from Hawaii in the '60s.
"He rubbed off on me," he said. "We take a lot of pride in it."
Lee said he noticed his girls had a natural talent for singing.
"The singing was already there," he said.
The family started working on learning Hawaiian lyrics and music, which Lee said he's learning to translate along with his daughters.
He plays the guitar and sings a bit, but the majority of the vocals are handled by the girls.
The next step for the group is to learn the hula and have the girls play instruments. They're already practicing on the guitar, drums and ukulele.
"It really does give me good quality time with them," Lee said. "It's a blast."
Makani has already performed at various local venues. The act started out at a fundraiser for a family friend who was hurt.
"The response was unbelievable," Lee said. "They asked us back for other performances."
The group also performed for the Little Limelight series put on by the Buffalo Grove Arts Commission, at a restaurant and at several heritage fairs in the community. And Makani has performed at Longfellow School, where the girls are students.
Therese Lee, mother of the four girls, said that was probably the toughest audience because their friends were there to listen to them.
"It's easier when you don't know anyone," she said.
Brian Lee said he's happy that performing brings his daughters out of their shells.
Alyssa said they still get a little nervous but are getting used to the attention. And Courtney said her friends said they really enjoyed the performance.
The family has gradually learned which girl should sing the best parts on each song. Brittany, for example, has the highest range.
"Dad gives us parts to sing," Courtney said.
The girls said they can see themselves continuing to sing as a family for years to come.
"We sing by nature," Lee said.
2008 Lawn Chair Lyrics concert series
Free concerts are 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Willow Stream Park South, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove.
Tuesday:Spoken 4
June 24:Makani, opening act; The Juke Box Band
July 8:Jonathan Devin New Country
July 15:Piano Man
July 22: 9 AM
July 29: Soul Cookin'
Aug. 5: The Associates
For rain dates, or more information, contact Lori Bachrach at (847) 850-2119
The Lee family's desire to sing Hawaiian music first surfaced at a funeral.
The grandmother of Brian Lee, who lives in Buffalo Grove, died in 2003, and he and his family traveled to Hawaii to say goodbye.
Lee and his relatives sang a traditional song at the funeral, and one of his daughters asked him what it was.
Five years later, Lee sings and plays Hawaiian music professionally with his four daughters at local venues. So far, they've mastered 20 songs.
The family group, named Makani, will be an opening act June 24 during the Buffalo Grove Park District's Lawn Chair Lyrics summer concert series. The name means "windy" and was chosen as a reference to the Windy City.
Lee will be performing with his daughters Alyssa, 11; twins Courtney and Brittany, 9; and Gracie, 3. The girls also have their own set of Hawaiian names: Kamalani, Keali'i, Meali'i and Mahealani. Brian's Hawaiian name is Kaleo.
Lee said the singing is actually carrying on a family trait that was started by his father, who moved to the area from Hawaii in the '60s.
"He rubbed off on me," he said. "We take a lot of pride in it."
Lee said he noticed his girls had a natural talent for singing.
"The singing was already there," he said.
The family started working on learning Hawaiian lyrics and music, which Lee said he's learning to translate along with his daughters.
He plays the guitar and sings a bit, but the majority of the vocals are handled by the girls.
The next step for the group is to learn the hula and have the girls play instruments. They're already practicing on the guitar, drums and ukulele.
"It really does give me good quality time with them," Lee said. "It's a blast."
Makani has already performed at various local venues. The act started out at a fundraiser for a family friend who was hurt.
"The response was unbelievable," Lee said. "They asked us back for other performances."
The group also performed for the Little Limelight series put on by the Buffalo Grove Arts Commission, at a restaurant and at several heritage fairs in the community. And Makani has performed at Longfellow School, where the girls are students.
Therese Lee, mother of the four girls, said that was probably the toughest audience because their friends were there to listen to them.
"It's easier when you don't know anyone," she said.
Brian Lee said he's happy that performing brings his daughters out of their shells.
Alyssa said they still get a little nervous but are getting used to the attention. And Courtney said her friends said they really enjoyed the performance.
The family has gradually learned which girl should sing the best parts on each song. Brittany, for example, has the highest range.
"Dad gives us parts to sing," Courtney said.
The girls said they can see themselves continuing to sing as a family for years to come.
"We sing by nature," Lee said.
2008 Lawn Chair Lyrics concert series
Free concerts are 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Willow Stream Park South, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove.
Tuesday: Spoken 4
June 24: Makani, opening act; The Juke Box Band
July 8: Jonathan Devin New Country
July 15: Piano Man
July 22: 9 AM
July 29: Soul Cookin'
Aug. 5: The Associates
For rain dates, or more information, contact Lori Bachrach at (847) 850-2119