Maggie Herron

Maggie’s upcoming album features Mark Kibble (of Take 6) on Vocal arrangements and harmonies, Romain Collin-Piano, Mitch Forman-piano & Hammond B3, Bill Cunliffe-piano and horn arrangements, Grant Geissman-guitar, John Storie-guitar, Bob Sheppard-Sax, Duane Padilla-String arrangement, Steve Velez-Cello and Andrew Neu-sax and horn arrangements. Maggie released her first single from the upcoming album Sweet Lullaby in Dec. 2022. https://music.apple.com/us/album/sweet-lullaby-single/1598969097

5X Winner of Hawaii’s Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year

Maggie is known for her sultry and alluring voice, her adept pianistic style, her songwriting and her compelling interpretations of the standards. She can be seen every Fri. and Sat. night at Lewers Lounge in Waikiki with bassist, Dean Taba.

Maggie Herron’s album , YOUR REFRAIN, is the winner of the 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album Of The Year. The album is a dedication to her daughter and writing partner, Dawn Herron, who tragically passed away April 5, 2020. YOUR REFRAIN features 7 of the mother/daughter’s collaborations with the title track nominated for the 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Song Of The Year Award.

The string arrangement for the title track, YOUR REFRAIN, was written and performed by Duane Padilla. Players on the album include jazz pianist-Larry Goldings, saxophonist-Bob Sheppard, David Enos-bass and John Ferraro-drums. Bill Cunliffe-pianist, arranged and performed on Touch, with Jim Chiodini on guitar. In Case Of Love was  arranged by Geoffrey Keezer and Gillian Margot. God Bless The Child and Both Sides Now includes Dean Taba-bassist and Maggie on piano and vocals. Maggie’s music is available on all listening platforms.

RENDITIONS, Maggie’s 2019 album,  is the winner of the 2020 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award, for Jazz Album Of The Year. On piano and vocals, Maggie delves into a session of standards as part of the core trio with bassist Darek Oles and drummer, Ray Brinker. Guest appearances include guitarist-Larry Koonse, saxophonist/flutist-Bob Sheppard, Dean Taba-bassist  and Rocky Holmes-sax.

Maggie won her third Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album Of The Year for her 2018 album,  A TON OF TROUBLE. The album was co-produced by Maggie Herron and Bill Cunliffe, with Michael Beasley as Executive Producer. The album includes 10 original songs, with several songs co-written by Maggie and Dawn Herron. A feature song, The Dove and The Bourbon, was co-written by Maggie and Len Gambla (Maggie’s son-in-law). Maggie’s remake of  ‘In My Life’  from the album was nominated for the 2019 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for  Single of the Year‘ with Larry Koonse on guitar.  Listen here: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eec748fLrKM). 

In 2017 Maggie’s album Between the Music and the Moon, won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Jazz Album of the Year Award while Maggie was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.   The album of 12 original songs includes 5 co-written with her lyricist/daughter, Dawn Herron.  Engineering and mastering is by Paul Tavenner.  Players on the album are saxophonist/flutist Bob Sheppard, guitarist Grant Geissman, arranger and pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Dean Taba, drummers-Abe Lagrimas and Jake Reed and Grammy Award winner Bill Cunliffe, acting as co-producer, pianist and arranger on several songs. The music is available on all music platforms and released on Herron Song Records label.

In 2015 Maggie won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year for her album ‘Good Thing”. Brian Bromberg, producer, is also on bass with Maggie on piano and vocals, Dave Tull-drums, Ramon Stagnaro-guitar, Rick Braun-trumpet, Bob Sheppard-Sax, Doug Webb-sax, and string arrangements by Geoffrey Keezer.

Maggie Herron was born in Muskegon, Mi. into a family of 11 children (she was number 9). She began taking piano lessons as a little girl and was the church organist by the age of 10. At 14, she performed Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Muskegon Symphony Orchestra and  was awarded a scholarship to Interlochen Center for the Arts, placing in the top 5 finalists in the piano concerto competition. She continued to study classical piano and voice throughout high school, performing in recitals and concerts, talent shows and musical theater productions.

At 18, with the late ’60’s idealism at her back, she was inspired up and out of her family home.  She  hitch-hiked across the U.S. landing in the Olympic National Rainforest in Washington State.   There, in an off-the-grid cabin with only an old upright piano at her disposal, she started exploring pop and folk music, writing songs and weaving the new sounds with her classical training.  Maggie began performing in Seattle, playing at the top of the Camlin Hotel, the Sorrento Hotel and appearing as a guest performer at Jazz Alley. Veteran Seattle musicians introduced her to R&B and jazz, influencing her writing and performing style. Eventually the gloomy weather propelled her further west, where she found herself at home in Hawaii.

Maggie has been living, writing, recording and performing on Oahu, Lanai, and Hawaii’s “Big Island” since 1976.  Her first Hawaii music award was in the ’70’s for best song in the Hawaii Home Grown contest. She’s opened concerts for Dave Brubeck, the Jazz Crusaders, Taj Mahal, Richie Havens, Jesse Colin Young, June Millington and Phoebe Snow. At home in Hawaii, her band mates include Dean Taba, Paul Lindbergh, Rocky Holmes, DeShannon Higa, Jason Gay and Duane Padilla and John Kolivas.

Announcing Maggie’s upcoming album, My Story In Song,  Feb. 7, 2023.

The album features Mark Kibble (of Take 6) on Vocal arrangements and harmonies, Romain Collin-Piano, Mitch Forman-piano & Hammond B3, Bill Cunliffe-piano and horn arrangements, Grant Geissman-guitar, John Storie-guitar, Bob Sheppard-Sax, Duane Padilla-String arrangement, Steve Velez-Cello and Andrew Neu-sax and horn arrangements. Maggie released her first single from the upcoming album Sweet Lullaby in Dec. 2022.

Stay tuned for Maggie’s next single release this Nov. 15th, 2022. Mahalo for visiting this site!

Awards

• Maggie Herron, (2015), Good Thing , Winner: Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album Of The Year
• Good Thing, (2015), Nominated: Female Vocalist of the Year
• Between the Music & The Moon, (2017), Winner: Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album Of The Year
• Between the Music & The Moon, (2017), Nominated, Female Vocalist of the Year
• A Ton Of Trouble (2018), Winner: Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year; Nominated: Female Vocalist of the Year, Nominated: Single Of The Year, In My Life
• RENDITIONS, 2020 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award, for Jazz Album Of The Year.
• Nominated: 2020, Female Vocalist of the Year
• YOUR REFRAIN 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Jazz Album Of The YearWinner
• Nominated: Female Vocalist of the Year, Song Of The Year-YOUR REFRAIN