BO LOZOFF

Pau Hana
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 10:07 AM HST
PICK OF THE WEEK

BO LOZOFF PRESENTS A BOB DYLAN -BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE CONCERT

Where: East Hawai'i Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St., Hilo

When: 7:30 p.m. -- Saturday, June 5

Details: Big Island singing sensation Bo Lozoff performs his annual concert of Dylan's songs that shaped a generation, changing popular music forever. BIW has said about Lozoff, "It is destiny that this artist will become a local favorite." $12/$10/$8 at EHCC.

Contact: Stephanie Wong, 961-5711, arts@ehcc.org, -http://www.ehcc.org
- HILO HERALD-TRIBUNE

Singer Bo Lozoff building an island reputation
By Sanoe Kauhane
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:38 AM HST
Hawai'i is known as a melting pot of race, religion and culture. Along with that is a vast variety of music. Across the state, on any given day, you can experience a mixture of melodies from Slack Key Guitar, Classical Hawaiian, Reggae, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Jawaiian and others. A new addition to Hawai'i's musical community is singer/songwriter Bo Lozoff, who has indeed brought the soul of folk/rock tradition all the way from North Carolina to the Hawaiian Islands.

Armed with a soulful, deep voice, Lozoff is earning the reputation around the island as "that country singer who sounds just like Johnny Cash," which is a complement to Lozoff because he idolized Cash growing up as a child. Lozoff explains, "When I was growing up in the 1950's, Elvis was the hero of every southern boy, but everyone would laugh when I would try to sing Elvis songs because even from a very young age, my voice was very deep. In 1959 I heard Johnny Cash sing 'Five Feet High and Rising,' and I could sing along with him almost like I was his twin, and that's when I realized that I had to do this."

Lozoff also draws inspiration and plays music from that of musical geniuses like Bob Dylan, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt.

Drawn to the islands by the powerful force of Madame Pele, Lozoff explains the journey that led him to Hawai'i. He said, "I didn't know a soul here on the island, but a friend in North Carolina had a place in Puna where I could stay and this was the only place I wanted to be. I spend a lot of time in the hot pools and steam vents and walking out on the lava flow, watching the plume, etc. Everything about the volcano seems to call me."

Although he is relatively new to the islands, Lozoff is quickly becoming a familiar face on the local music scene. Wasting no time relaxing in paradise, he has played at local spots like the Aloha Outpost in Pahoa, Uncle Robert's 'Awa Bar with Ernie Cruz Sr. and his son John Cruz in Kalapana, the Maku'u Farmers Market near Pahoa, Pahoa's Village Cafe with Kristen Bowden, Kope Kope Espresso in Hilo, as well as future events at Hilo's Emerald Orchid. Additional performances include two official and successful concerts at Kalani Oceanside Retreat near Kehena Beach and at Coco's in Kapoho. Although he has only played on the east side of the Island, Lozoff hopes to venture island-wide with future gigs at Luke's Place in Hawi, and hopefully the Paniolo Country Inn in Waimea, as well as the Blue Dragon in Kawaihai.

Lozoff has brought his eclectic southern style to share with the Hawaiian Islands, but he has also submerged himself into the waters of the local music culture and made friends with well known island musicians. He said, "I was awed by the quality of local musicians and the music scene. I love Ernie Cruz Sr.'s work, and of course his son John. I have played with a Hawaiian fellow named Puna down in Kalapana, who is a tremendous musician and singer. I have heard Colin John play and was very impressed and would love to jam with him sometime. Lozoff continued to say, "On the last day of February I did a great gig at Pahoa's Village Cafe called 'A Birthday Bash for Johnny Cash,' where I was joined by a young woman from North Carolina named Kristen Bowden, who sounds as much like June Carter as I do like Johnny Cash, and we just about torched that place. It was sensational! I feel like my local collaborations are just beginning, and there are a lot of wonderful musicians in this area. There are some really fine musicians on the island, and I admire them all."

With life experiences that derive from his adventures from the Deep South to the South Pacific, Bo Lozoff has combined his talent of writing and singing to produce three CD's: "Stumbling Toward the Light," "Whatever It Takes," and his latest CD, "Eyes So Soft," are all of original creations. From his CD's Lozoff h - BIG ISLAND WEEKLY

Big Island singing sensation Bo Lozoff, who has filled East Hawaii Cultural Center many times with his tribute concerts to Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and John Prine, will be performing all original material in a special concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Although known around the islands primarily for his rich baritone and passionate song stylings, Lozoff is also a world-renowned songwriter and author. Several of his songs have won awards or mentions in songwriting competitions such as the Billboard World Music Awards, "We Are Listening," and the North Carolina Songwriters' Awards. One of his tunes, "On Sacred Ground," is the first track featured on the "Worldwide Composers" CD, which won this year's Na Hoku award for compilation albums.
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for members and $8 for seniors and are on sale at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in downtown Hilo. To contact EHCC, e-mail admin@ehcc.org or phone 961-5711.

- HAWAI'I HERALD-TRIBUNE

“Intimate, powerful and poignant. Bo’s voice ranges from rousing and energetic to comforting and soothing while tackling subjects that are truthful and meaningful. Treat your ears, heart and soul to Eyes So Soft.” - KXCI, 91.3 FM Tucson

"This album's an arrow straight to the heart... Shows a kinship with Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Electric Flag, Jimi Hendrix... This is music with a social consciousness. If Lozoff's words don't get you, the rhythmic groove will."
- Raleigh News & Observer

...Emotional without soppiness, hard-hitting but not grim, personal and captivating at the same time... The Gospel tag at the end of The Outlaw Maury Logue sent chills up my spine... Lozoff's talent as a lyricist shines throughout the album.
- The Independent

Lozoff has an amazing ability to spin the personal details of life into songs with universal reach, which reflect the messages he offers in his talks with prisoners and the general community. He sings about love, compassion, and staying connected with deep values. He paints rather than writes his songs; each is a vivid collage which frames the underlying message. Listening to Eyes So Soft allows you to visit Pelican Bay prison, hang out in small extended-stay motels across the country, watch a cop and an outlaw come face to face, meet a woman with one arm and one leg, and listen in on several poignant scenarios about family aging, regrets, advice. All have the ring of honesty, a Lozoff trademark. His deeply resonant voice carries the lyrics well. Harmonies are beautiful and well-placed, the music stunningly mixed, clear, melodic, sometimes dramatic, in fine counterpoint to the words.

This CD is a jewel exquisite, deeply moving, and reflective without ever overstepping. I cannot recommend it more highly.
- Turning Wheel Magazine