John Capron

John Capron developed his skills as a singer songwriter in San Francisco in the 1970s and early 1980s, playing local venues such as the Great American Music Hall, the Boarding House, and the Sweetwater in Mill Valley. He made ends meet driving a taxi cab on the streets of San Francisco, which, while a wonderful source of material, was a less than desirable way to raise a family. He finally gave it all up for a legal career, then after a long dry spell moved to Kona Mauka in 2001 with his wife Rianne and daughter Elizabeth.

Rianne Capron has been the lead vocalist for several mainland jazz and funk bands. Elizabeth Capron is a senior at Konawaena High School.

Inspired by the simple beauty of rusted tin roofs and lush green coffee land overlooking deep blue ocean studded with spinner dolphins and manic paddlers, John has written a new generation of songs – “Goin’ up Mauka,” “Hookena,” and “Paddle-osophy” – that celebrate the soulfulness of life on the Big Island. Gracing him with their talents on keyboards, vocals and bass, “Mauka Family Band” members Rianne and Elizabeth have helped John bring these and his earlier songs to life in a new compilation CD, “Mauka Blend,” that features tasteful contributions from the wonderful and eclectic community of musicians in Kona Mauka, including Jesse Colin Young’s drummer Louis Pinault, Kona Lowell, Chee, Solomon Choo and Marcel Keanaaina.