Kit Samson

Pianist Kit Samson is the leader and driving force behind Hawaii’s favorite dance band, Kit Samson’s Sound Advice, which has been entertaining locals and visitors in the Islands for three decades. Manila-born Kit came to Honolulu in 1971 as an entrepeneur, opening a family restaurant and night club at the old Biltmore Hotel in Waikiki. When the Biltmore was torn down to make way for today’s Hyatt Hotel,he was offered a 3-month contract as a pianist, band leader and musical director at the famed Kahala Hilton. The engagement lasted 23 years.

Kit Samson and Friends


Kit Samson’s Sound Advice struck a chord among Honolulu’s young and old with its mixture of song and dance music of every era.Kit’s piano stylings also attracted a myriad of celebrities who frequented the Kahala and became regulars to the Maile Room when they were in town; like Barbra Streisand, Roger Williams, Cheryl Ladd, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Lani Hall, Burt Bachrach. Many became Kit’s friends. When Kahala Hilton was sold to the Mandarin Hotel which changed entertainment formats, Kit moved, without missing a beat, to the Mahina Lounge of the Ala Moana Hotel where he still holds court as one of the most gifted, sought-after pianists in Hawaii’s entertainment industry. This album of Kit’s musical collection shows why.

Special thanks to the Ala Moana Hotel management and staff who made my four-year engagement at the Mahina Lounge pleasurable. To my agent Chriss Heyd of Koa Entertainment; to the media in Hawaii; to loyal friends like Bert and Amy Sakumoto, who for the last 26 years never missed a New Year’s Eve celebration wherever my group performed. To Karen Onishi, and Barry and Joan Shin, and Janis and Mario Santamaria of Rex, Georgia, who spend a lot of evenings listening to me whenever they’re in Honolulu. To Richard Handl and wife Maria “Baby” Handl for all their love and support. To my friends Corky Trinidad and Web site designer Blaine Fergerstrom. To Pierre Grill of Rendezvous Recording Studio. To you and all my friends, thanks for your continuous support and friendship.

Mahalo and Aloha,
–– Kit Samson