Seawind was an American jazz-funk-soul septet, originally from Hawaii, that released two albums on CTI in 1976 and 1977, followed by three further albums on Horizon, A&M, and CBS/Sony between 1979 and 1982.
Members: Pauline Wilson (vocals), Bud Nuanez (guitar), Ken Wild (bass), Bob Wilson (drums), Larry Williams (keyboards, saxophone, flute), Kim Hutchcroft (saxophone, flute), Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Seawind evolved from Ox, a Hawaiian jazz-funk-soul band that released an undated single, “Gotta Be Willing to Lose” (b/w “Black Eyed Lady”), on one-press Warped Records. The a-side, marked by smooth Fender Rhodes and the lithe, emotive voice of Pauline Wilson, was written by her husband, drummer Bob Wilson. The arrangement, initially subdued and loungey, passes through an ARP-infused mid-section and concludes on a shaky, staccato rhythmic figure. It was recorded at Audissey Sound in Honolulu, the site of numerous island recordings (Olomana, Nohelani Cypriano).
By 1976, the band renamed itself Seawind. The founding lineup featured the Wilson’s plus keyboardist/reedist Larry Williams, trumpeter Jerry Hey, saxist/flautist Kim Hutchcroft, bassist Ken Wild, and guitarist Bud Nuanez.
Bob Wilson, an Arizonan, was visiting Honolulu with Larry Williams when they met Pauline, a native of Hakalau. Her and local resident Wild, a longtime jazz enthusiast who played all types of bass (electric, fretless, acoustic), were the only native islanders.
Williams attended New Mexico State, then Indiana University, where he met Hey and Hutchcroft. Collectively, they formed the “Seawind Horns,” which played on many recordings outside the band.
The last to join was Nuanez, a Phoenix native who attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He was summoned to the band just prior to a scheduled engagement in Alaska, before their name-change from Ox.
Seawind signed to jazz label CTI Records, then distributed by Motown. They recorded their first album at Record Plant and Chateau Recorders in California between July and September 1976.
Discography:
- Seawind (1976)
- Window of a Child (1977)
- Light the Light (1979)
- Seawind (1980)
- Summer Nights (1982 • Marlene with Seawind)
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