Nix Performing Arts Center presents "Tradewinds"

Michael Pajil
Born: Philadelphia, PA.
Sign: Aries

Music Career: Began at the age of 9, singing with the Norwood Academy Philadelphia All Boys Choir. Joined the Air Force sang throughout his tours in local bands . Hawaii Stars winner in 1996. From 1996-2001 member of the Premier Legends of Doo-Wop Group, The Love Notes.

Feature Talent: Vocalist; vocal range from baritone to high octave ranges of 5th tenor.

Artist Influences: Earth Wind & Fire, Eddie Holoman, Marvin Gaye, Spinners, Blue Magic, The Stylistics, Smokey Robinson, Little Anthony.

Group Leader of the TradeWinds

Mike currently works as an Federal Govt Account Manager for W.W. Grainger, Inc. He is retired from the United States Air Force after serving 21 honorably years of service. He's been around the world three times over singing for and at times defending his country. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Management from Wayland Baptist University, Plainview Texas.

Mike's other love is his martial arts: He is a Master Level Cardio Kickboxing Instructor. Has videos and commercials out and is in the process of creating another TV program.

Chris Washington
Born: Shreveport Louisiana

Music Career: Began at the age of 14, singing in church and school Choirs. Started performing in different talent contests and events to showcase his talents. Joined the Marine Corps after high school in 1991, by 1992, was stationed in Hawaii and would make Hawaii home. Was the male Lead Vocalist in an all 11 piece classic and Motown Show Band Called Jackie Roberts and the Soulutations from 1995-1998. In 1998, member of the Premier Legends of Doo-Wop Group, The Love Notes. In 2002, performed in the Off Broadway Playhouse of Manoa Valley Theatre Performing Smokey Joes Café which ran successfully for 6 weeks. His most recent performance was at the Espirit Night Club of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in a production called An Evening with the music of Sinatra.

Feature Talent: Vocalist/dancer vocal range from baritone to high octave ranges of 5th tenor.

Chris is a Hairstylist.

Felix Almestica Bonet
Vocalist and Percussionist

Felix Almestica Bonet, a vocalist and percussionist, has performed throughout the islands, mainland U.S., Japan and Europe in many combinations.

As a soloist playing guitar and singing lead vocals he uses state of the art digital midi technology to sound like a full orchestra, which allows him the flexibility to really entertain his audience.

As a percussionist and featured lead singer he was a founding member of groups such as The Lovenotes Show a 50's, 60's review, and Nueva Vida one of Hawaii's top Jazz groups. Also as a percussionist and lead vocalist he performed with Jetstream whose members included Hawaiian Style band creators and 4 Hoku award winner Wade Cambern, and Grammy award winner Brian Kessler. For those that can recall way back to the early and mid 70's you may have seen Felix playing percussion and singing back up with Hum Ha Jam another local style Hawaiian group and BS+2 which included Bob and Steve featured Singers-guitarists and another Grammy award winner Randy Lorenzo on bass.

His first break in town came with Zig Zag, featuring Augie Rey a long time friend. Zig Zag also featured Azure McCall popular Jazz vocalist, and Jerry Hey of Seawind a popular Jazz group. Since then you could have seen Felix performing as a soloist or in duos, trios, quartets, in cabaret, dance, small and big jazz bands.

Felix has been on Murder She Wrote-Hawaii episode, Jake and the Fat Man, as well as Radio, T.V. programs and commercials, in Hawaii and Japan and recorded with artist such as Henry Kapono of Cecilio and Kapono, Richard Natto of Society Of Seven, Nueva Vida and Jetstream.

Throughout the years Felix has had the pleasure of singing and sharing the stage with Hawaiian and Mainland artist such as Loyal Garner, John Rowls, Melvin Leed, Don Ho, Glen Medieres, Gabby Pahinui, Crystal Gale, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks, Bill Summers percussionist of Herbie Hancock, Ed Shaughnessy, drummer with the the Johnny Carson Show, The Drifters and many others. Felix has also opened for artist such as The Pointer Sisters, Jermaine Jackson the Platters, Joan Rivers, Paul Rodriquez, Andy Bumatai, Los Bravos and many others. In 1986 while performing with Jetstream, they were invited to open the MTV music awards at the universal studios in California.

In 2006 he returned from touring in Europe with The Drifters Show. There he also got a chance to sing English and Spanish pop and jazz songs at Jazzissimo Cabaret in Spain. Felix held the position of featured lead vocalist as well as vocal and musical director, for The Lovenotes Show.

Felix is presently working with TRADEWINDS, Wade Cambern, and Nueva Vida has well as doing the Hawaiian island cruises for NCL. Felix has proudly joined the staff at NixPac as a vocal coach, guitar, percussion instructor and is also training to give salsa lessons.

Booker Hewlett ("Booker T")
Born: Chicago, IL

Music Career: Has been singing since the age of five starting in his Aunts Church in Cleveland Ohio with his brothers and sisters known as "The Hewlett Singers". Throughout the years while growing up, Booker has been in several singing groups, including the Hawaii based Doo-Wop group, The LoveNotes, The Golden Oldies singers, and presently, TRADEWINDS. Booker also hosts a Karaoke show at the Banana Patch Lounge in the Miramar Hotel in Waikiki, where for the past eight years has had the pleasure of co-hosting with the Late Pico Payne who sang with the Legendary Ink Spots.

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