WAITIKI’s Abe Lagrimas Jr. (vibraphone & drum kit; co-founder)
Vibraphonist Abe Lagrimas Jr. is co-founder of WAITIKI and is in high demand as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and jazz educator. Born in Guam and raised in Hawai’i, Abe got his start as a jazz drummer, and at age 10, was Grand Prize Winner of an international drumming competition sponsored by Modern Drummer magazine and the Drummer’s Collective in NYC. Shortly thereafter (and while still in high school), he secured artist endorsements from Paiste Cymbals and Vic Firth (sticks). His start in exotica came at age 16, when he became drummer (and later vibraphonist) for the Hawaii-based group Don Tiki. As a multi-instrumentalist, Abe has appeared as drummer, vibraphonist, and ukulele master at the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, the Fil-Am Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, CA, and on his debut solo album “Dimensions”, originally released on Pass Out Records, but re-issued since on Universal Music (Japan). With his group Prelude, he is also signed to SonyBMG in Korea and performs frequently throughout Asia. Abe is a 2004 graduate of Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). He co-founded the independent music label PASS OUT RECORDS and progressive Hawaiian jam band AKAMAI BRAIN COLLECTIVE with brother Eric and friend Randy Wong in 2003.
Learn more about Abe at his website, abrahamlagrimasjr.com or on his myspace page, myspace.com/abelagrimasjr.
