About Us
Fresh & Original Compositions
Based in Honolulu, Groovology was formed during the pandemic. It comprises four talented and busy musicians: Aaron Aranita on woodwinds and piano, David Yamasaki on guitar, Ernie Provencher on bass, and Scott Shafer on drums. The four musicians perform their own fresh and original compositions on Almost Home with four composed by Aranita, two each by Shafer and Yamasaki, and one from Provencher. Due to the group’s high level of musicianship, Almost Home features an impressive variety that explores many moods and styles.
Aaron Aranita
Aaron Aranita (woodwinds, piano) is a composer / arranger who has been performing for over 40 years. He has produced and recorded several albums for the past 30 years on his own label, Sugartown Records. He has written close to 200 compositions in many styles: jazz, classical, contemporary, and Big Band arrangements with vocals. Aaron studied saxophone at Berklee College of Music, Boston
Discography
1988 - Eastbound
2001 - One Day
2005 - Coolhead Jazz
2007 - Don’t Stop the Feeling
2012 - Aaron Aranita Big Band
2015 - Rough Jazz
2017 - Segunda Vista with the Brent Fischer Orchestra
2022 – Connection
David Yamasaki
David Yamasaki (guitar) studied ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, Seattle, and guitar at Berklee College of Music, Boston, before receiving a BA from California State University, Hayward in classical guitar performance and an MA in compositon. He has recorded with Tito Puente, Sheila E., Pete Escovedo Orchestra, John Santos and the Machete Ensemble, Wayne Wallace and Rhythm and Rhyme, Jesse Manibusan, Aaron Aranita, and Deems (Na Hoku Hanohano award nominee, 2018 and 2023) He has performed with Lou Rawls, Louie Bellson, Dianne Schuur, Eddie Fisher, Faye Carol, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Forty Niner Band, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, Fred Berry, and Frederica Von Stade, and in music videos and film. He has written scores for two PBS productions and charts for Ramsey Lewis. David has been teaching at the Stanford Jazz Workshop for over 20 years.
Discography
2003 - From Me To You
2012 - Hawaii 5/4
Ernie Provencher
Ernie Provencher (bass) is a versatile and accomplished bassist. He has been an active freelance performer in New York City, Helsinki, Finland, Hong Kong, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Ernie plays many styles including jazz, classical, salsa, and Middle Eastern, Brazilian, and Balkan music. His compositions for modern dance have been presented in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Ernie is also a music educator, teaching band, strings, music theory for dancers, and private lessons. He has played on numerous recordings, musical theater productions, and in clubs and concert halls worldwide. Ernie has performed with, among others, Ray Bryant, Joanne Brackeen, Dan Hartman, Michael Franks, Eartha Kitt, Mick Taylor, Ray Alexander, Baird Hersey, Eugene Pao, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the Maui Pops Orchestra.
Scott Shafer
Scott Shafer (drums) was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Scott started playing drums at age 14 and was working professionally by age 16. After graduating from Kalani H.S., he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he earned his B.A. in Professional Music. Since returning home, he has played in a wide variety of styles and musical settings. His musical theater experience includes manning the drum throne in productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song and Dance, Evita, Tommy, Something Rotten, and Waitress. His ensemble performances included dates with, but not limited to Na Leo Pilimehana, Manoa DNA, Jazz Hawaii Big Band, Salsa Hawaii, Alex Bell and The Phones, Bob Jones and Hardrive, Hula Joe and the Hutjumpers, and eight0eight. Scott is currently working with Hawaiian Soul (old school R&B), Nalu Collective (Neo Soul, Jazz), Stone Soul Sounds (Classic Rock), and Groovology, (Traditional and Latin Jazz), as well as various live, studio recording, and freelance projects. When not performing, Scott teaches private instruction for drum set at Honolulu Music Lessons Workshop.