Waipahu Grad Plays Jazz Jan. 14

Members of jazz trio The North, which made its debut last year here in the Islands, return to perform together at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Honolulu Museum of Art Doris Duke Theatre after each has spent the year pursuing his solo career.

The group is comprised of longtime friends pianist Romain Collin, Hawaii-born bassist Shawn Conley, and drummer Abe Lagrimas Jr., who is a 2001 Waipahu High School graduate.

The collective is named after Oahu’s North Shore, but each of the members has enjoyed much success nationally and internationally.

Collin is coming off a European tour, while Conley, now based in New York, recently completed a semester teaching at Ithaca College.

Lagrimas, who now lives in Los Angeles, recently performed as one of 12 semifinalists from around the world in the prestigious Thelonius Monk International Jazz Drums Competition in Washington, D.C. Lagrimas also was back home last month to perform in the Don Tiki Hot Lava Holiday Show.

Along with Honolulu saxophonist Reggie Padilla, Lagrimas also released an album titled Almost Home last month.

The North has exciting things coming up as it reunites for this month’s concert. The band recently completed its debut album, Slow Down This Isn’t the Mainland. The group also recently shot a short documentary.

Release dates for both efforts are not yet available.

For more information about The North’s concert, visit honolulumuseum.org or call 532-8701.