Noel Okimoto

Noel Okimoto: Ho'ihi

by Jack Bowers
March 13, 2025

Honolulu-born Noel Okimoto has been playing drums professionally since he was eleven years old. He has learned over the years to supervise the drum kit with equanimity and deference, a standard that Okimoto's octet endorses when approaching the music on his second album as a leader, Ho'ihi (ho-ee-hee), a Hawaiian phrase that translates roughly into “treat with reverence and respect." While Okimoto is a proud son of the Islands, those who are searching for Hawaiian-inspired themes will ...

Doug MacDonald: Live in Hawaii

by Jack Bowers
June 24, 2021

Here is a guitar-led quartet with a couple of fresh angles. First, instead of using a piano, guitarist Doug MacDonald has enlisted vibraphonist Noel Okimoto to provide the harmonic counterpoint; and second, Philadelphia-born MacDonald has temporarily forsaken his decades-long base in Southern California to return “home" to Hawaii, where he began his professional career performing with Trummy Young, Gabe Baltazar and Del Courtney. What is not new but nonetheless welcome is MacDonald's superior command of his instrument, ...

Rhythm Summit, an East West Collaborative Project, Releases Debut CD

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
August 5, 2010

Featuring: Noel Okimoto, Dean Taba, Kenny Endo—Release Date: August 17, 2010 Rhythm Summit, a unique collaboration bringing together the artistry and musicality of world-class musicians Kenny Endo (taiko drums, bamboo flute, percussion), Noel Okimoto (trap drums, vibes, marimba, percussion), and Dean Taba (bass, kalimba), announces the release of its first CD, Rhythm Summit. Endo, Okimoto, and Taba, all respected musicians in their fields, have come together to create compelling new music blending east and west. Born and raised in Honolulu, ...
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Hawaii-based Drummer/Vibist Noel Okimoto's Debut: 'OHANA

Source: All About Jazz
January 14, 2004

(Honolulu) 'OHANA is the debut CD by Hawaii's first-call drummer, Noel Okimoto. 'OHANA (RSCD 1026) features not only his drumming but also his all-around percussion skills and compositions.

The sidemen are a Who's Who of Hawaii's best jazz musicians with special guests, saxophonist Gabe Baltazar, pianist Makoto Ozone, and trumpeter Tiger Okoshi.

Noel's 30 year career (he's 44), includes performances in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and overseas with noted jazz artists such as Freddie Hubbard, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Stan ...
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