Exotica Reborn: The WAITIKI 7 Live | November 27, 2025

Celebrate the return of Exotica to Waikiki with modern Exotica supergroup, The WAITIKI 7. Exotica music, which first emerged during the Golden Age of Waikiki, was pioneered by virtuoso pianist Martin Denny and vibraphonist Arthur Lyman. Their groundbreaking albums Exotica and Taboo ignited a cultural phenomenon, drawing inspiration from the diverse ethnic influences present in post-World War II Hawaiʻi. "Exotica music brought Hawaiʻi’s jazz musicians to the world stage,” says Randy Wong, bassist and leader of WAITIKI 7. “It’s a cultural tapestry—an artistic interpretation of the melting pot that makes Hawaiʻi so special. The live performances are ‘lightning in a bottle,’ and we’re honored to contribute to the legacy of live music in Waikiki, and especially at the Blue Note Hawaii."

Also the title of their new combination studio/live album, Exotica Reborn, reaffirms Exotica’s place in the fabric of Hawaiʻi’s musical history, ensuring that its mesmerizing rhythms continue to captivate audiences for generations to come. The WAITIKI 7 have dedicated the last two decades to keeping the Exotica tradition alive, which is no small feat. True performance of Exotica music requires a high level of virtuosity, finesse: scholarship and understanding of the jazz & folkloric traditions that contributed to its mid-century sound and vocabulary, as well as a high degree of compositional, orchestration, and arranging skills.

Tickets $45-$55

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CLUB POLICIES

Seating is First Come, First Served
$20 Food or Beverage Minimum Per Person
Full Bar & Full Dinner Menu Available
No refunds or exchange. Please make sure you purchase tickets for the correct date and time. Mahalo!

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