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Matt Sproat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matt Sproat
Birth nameMatthew Kawaiola Sproat
Born1972 (age 51–52)
GenresHawaiian
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele, Bass
Matt Sproat, taken in Japan

Matt Sproat is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning Hawaiian musician, singer, producer, and story-teller.[1] He is a guitarist and singer with the Hawaiian music trio, Waipuna.[2][3] He is the great-grandnephew of the legendary musician and story-teller Kindy Sproat, who was a 1988 NEA National Heritage Fellow.[4][5]

Early life[edit]

Sproat was born on the island of O‘ahu and grew up in the North Shore town of Hau‘ula. He is a 1990 graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

Personal life[edit]

Sproat is married to business executive, author, and political commentator Trisha Kehaulani Watson-Sproat.

Career[edit]

In 2008, he and fellow musician Kale Hannahs formed the Hawaiian music group, Waipuna.[6] In 2009, they released their first album, Mana‘o Pili. Two years later, their second album, E Ho‘i Mai was released. It would win three Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. That same year, David Kamakahi, son of legendary Hawaiian guitarist and musician, Dennis Kamakahi, joined the band.[6] The trio released the extended play ("EP") Nāpili in 2013. This album would win two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, one for Best EP, and a solo award for Kamakahi, for Best Instrumental Composition of the Year ("Nāpili Bay").[7] The group's fourth released, E Mau Ke Aloha, followed in 2014. For their 10-year anniversary, the group recorded and released their fifth collaboration, the self-titled album Waipuna.[8] It would win that year's Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for "Best Hawaiian Single" for "He Aloha Waiau".[9]

In 2018, Sproat appeared in the Project Kuleana[10] video for the song "Hau‘ula Paka."[11]

Sproat is also a master woodworker, and founded his own indigenous wood craft company The Kealohi Collection.[12]

Discography[edit]

  • Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners Vol 5. (2004, Various Artists)
  • Mana‘o Pili (2009, Waipuna)
  • E Ho‘i Mai (2011, Waipuna)
  • Nāpili (2013, Waipuna)
  • E Mau Ke Aloha (2014, Waipuna)
  • Waipuna (2019, Waipuna)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Celebrating Outrigger Hotels' 65th - MidWeek". www.midweek.com. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  2. ^ "Waipuna Enjoys The Ride". archives.midweek.com. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  3. ^ "2nd Ola Ka Ha Hawaiian cultural celebration outside Honolulu's Iolani Palace, March 29". Hawaii Magazine. 2015-03-28. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  4. ^ "NEA National Heritage Fellowships | NEA". www.arts.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  5. ^ "Clyde "Kindy" Sproat | PBS Hawai'i". www.pbshawaii.org. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  6. ^ a b "Waipuna Home". Waipuna. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  7. ^ "Hawaiian Music / 2014 Na Hoku Hanohano Award Nominees". www.hawaiianmusicstore.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  8. ^ Berger, John (2018-05-17). "Waipuna celebrates 10 years of music". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  9. ^ "2019 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards". HAWAIIAN MUSIC LIVE. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  10. ^ "Project Kuleana 6". ʻŌiwi TV. 2015-02-18. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  11. ^ Project KULEANA Nā Moʻo ʻO Koʻolauloa presents "Hauʻula Pāka", 2018-11-10, retrieved 2019-05-06
  12. ^ "Handmade custom Koa Jewelry made in Hawaii". The Kealohi Collection Store. Retrieved 2022-01-30.