exotica’s original drummer, Harold Chang
Harold Chang—“Uncle Harold”—is the elder statesman and last living original member of the Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman bands. Originally from Hilo on Hawaii Island, Harold is a phenomenal jazz drummer and percussionist, whose reputation and legacy precedes him.
Randy first met Harold, officially, in 2007, though Abe and Lopaka knew Harold from far before. Harold worked at Harry’s Music Store, in Kaimuki, where he managed the drum & percussion department. A giant glass showcase at the back of the store was chock-full of Harold’s memorabilia from back in the day, with everything from album covers, photos, to instruments, tiki ephemera, and more.
Lots has been written about Harold, who in 2020 at age 92, was recognized for his 75th anniversary as the longest living, active member of the Musicians Association of Hawaii (Local 677). But what we love most about Harold is his love, affinity, and friendship to The WAITIKI 7 over the years.
From the first time we hung out with Harold to “talk story” with him, we learned first-hand about the ways that he, Augie Colon Sr., John Kramer, Arthur Lyman, and Allen Soares would practice and prepare for Exotica shows; dialing-up the fantasy or what it took for them to be consummate professionals, artists of the highest caliber.
Harold has joined The WAITIKI 7 numerous times in performance; whether to play a full show or sit in on a tune. In fact, in 2010, at age 82, Harold played THREE back-to-back gigs with us, subbing for Lopaka on percussion, on the same day—two for school outreach and one full concert!
More recently, Harold has joined us at our House Without A Key shows at the Halekulani, and at Island Sound Studios in Hawaii Kai to record “Yellow Bird” (released as a single in 2024, and on the Caves of the Sea album).
He’s also the subject of a documentary being produced by filmmaker Scott Schimmel of the University of Hawaii’s School for Cinematic Arts.
