Joe Mackee aka Kona Crooner

Kona Crooner, with bands ready to prefrom in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Honolulu... and of the the beautiful Big Isle of Hawaii

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII Joe Mackee is today's answer to the classic jazz artists of the swing era. He has enjoyed success as an entertainer since nine years of age, when he entered a statewide talent contest in Hawaii and was invited to join the Honolulu Boy Choir as a featured soloist. A singing prodigy, he was asked to perform with Gabe Baltazar and the Royal Hawaiian Jazz Band, and the Honolulu Symphony. Getting the attention of Hollywood agents, Joe received many offers and was placed in numerous TV commercials, which lead to featured roles in television shows like Hawaii 5-0, Magnum PI, and The Young and The Restless. By the time Joe Mackee was 17 he had starred in three feature films; Max Dougan Returns (20th Century Fox), Bad Manners (New World Pictures), and Lost in America (Warner Brothers). Joe trained for acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, and for vocal training at Alicia Hammond Studios and by Christopher Robin in Los Angeles. Joe's career was unfortunately put on hold due to the severe illness of his mother. Joe naturally left Hollywood to be by her side. After 4 years, instead of returning to Hollywood, Joe chose to relocate to the Northwest, where he has enjoyed a rekindled affair with his music career. Now back home in Hawaii after accomplishing becoming a manufacturing engineer, Joe enjoys his family sharing his life's work and his continued hope for one chance that will make a difference.

OTHER ARTIST WEBSITE:  N/A

HOME TOWN: 
KAILUA, HAWAII

GROUP/BAND MEMBERS: 
Joe Mackee's passion for jazz and swing can be personally experienced in Hawaii & Seattle, more commonly referred to as The Kona Crooner. Recently, Joe Mackee is performing with his own ensembles in Hawaii's hottest resort venues. Joe is also a regular guest performer with several Hawaii & Seattle jazz groups and big band orchestras, including the legendary Tuxedo Junction (Seattle), Olliephonics, & Hula Joe and The Hut Jumpers. In Joe Mackee's advance sampler CD, he brings his style together with some of the finest jazz greats in the business. Steve Rice and Eric Verlinde (Piano), Clipper Anderson (bass), Mark Ivester and Darren Reynolds (drums), Bill Ramsey (Sax), Brad Allison and Tom Marriott (trumpet), and Gary Shutes (trombone). Beth Winter also joins Joe Mackee in the difficult and obscure duet titled Moodys Mood For Love, both recorded at Horizon Studios with Roger Wood and Bill Gibson. On his first CD release "Back In The Day", Joe Mackee writes and performs original swing tunes, including "Whatever." This big band tune, along with Moodys Mood for Love are receiving break-out radio play and are generating national interest from radio syndicators and promoters. Other tracks ready for release are "Big Fat Stogie" and "Back In The Day." Both originals by Mackee, and receiving tremendous reviews.

INFLUENCES: 
Joe Mackee performs the great jazz standards in a swing style reminisce of the great Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, with his Big Band voice being compared to the legendary Frank Sinatra, and his #1 fave Tony Bennett.

ON MY PLAYLIST: 
Tony Bennett, Kenny Rankin, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Scorpions, Michael Franks, Mark Murphy, Dianne Shure, Judas Priest, B52's, Tycoon, Rush