Live Jazz in Kihei: The Jazz Maui Modern Quintet’s 90-Minute Interactive Set

The Jazz Maui Modern Quintet brings a night of inventive jazz to Kihei, Hawaii, at 1280 S Kihei Rd. Their 90-minute, no-intermission set bridges classic swing, Latin grooves, and contemporary fusion with Hawaiian-inspired melodies. Led by guitarist Prem Brosio, saxophonist Craig Roselieb, and anchored by Ashton Yarbrough on bass and Nolan Wren on drums, with Jeff Hellman on keys, the group presents newly composed material and guest solos that put you close to the compositional process.

The performance is staged in a compact venue along South Kihei Road where the island’s volcanic silhouette and Pacific light frame each tune. Expect lyrical guitar lines that borrow from ukulele phrasing, saxophone phrases that respond to the ocean hush, and rhythmic shifts that reference local hula and island rhythms without pastiche. Because the band shares new compositions in an interactive format, the evening feels less like a recital and more like an exchange: musicians test ideas live, solos evolve in real time, and the audience becomes part of the musical experiment.

This is a show for listeners who want more than standards. You’ll hear swing-era phrasing one moment, Afro-Cuban percussion grooves the next, and contemporary harmonies woven with island motifs. The Quintet’s setlist highlights the craft of arrangement—melodies recur, motives morph, and space is given to each soloist’s voice: Craig Roselieb’s tenor lines, Prem Brosio’s guitar articulation, Jeff Hellman’s keyboard color, Ashton Yarbrough’s foundational bass, and Nolan Wren’s dynamic drumming.

Practicalities are simple: 90 minutes, no intermission; the meeting point is 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753. Arrive early to claim a good seat and enjoy sunset light that flatters both performance and photographs. The venue sits within walking distance of Kihei’s shoreline parks and an evening stroll after the show makes for an easy, memorable night.

Local significance comes from the Quintet’s commitment to original composition and community engagement—this band expands Maui’s live-music scene beyond tourist standards, giving residents and visitors a platform to hear contemporary jazz shaped by island sensibilities. For visitors, the show is an accessible cultural waypoint: energetic yet intimate, exploratory yet friendly—a singular evening where Maui’s landscapes and local musical ideas meet on stage.

Bring a light layer: coastal evenings can cool after sunset, and street parking fills quickly. The show is all-ages, so families can attend; seating is typically general admission—check the booking link for accessibility or special seating needs. Photography without flash is usually welcome; silence phones during solos. The band’s collaborative approach makes each night unique, so repeat visits reward listeners with fresh arrangements. Whether you’re a dedicated jazz fan or a traveler looking for a memorable evening in Kihei, The Jazz Maui Modern Quintet offers a compact, high-quality musical experience rooted in place.