Outrigger Resorts, Blue Note Entertainment Group Partner to Open Internationally Recognized Music Venue in Waikiki

WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, HAWAII – Outrigger Resorts is proud to announce a partnership with the iconic Blue Note Entertainment Group, with music clubs in New York, Washington D.C., Milan and two locations in Japan, to bring world-class music performances to Hawaii. Blue Note Hawaii will serve as the state’s premier venue for world-renowned artists, from jazz and blues to Hawaiian favorites.

Located in the former Society of Seven showroom inside Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaii will feature a wide range of musical entertainment – from local talent to international sensations – for limited engagements. As a part of Outrigger’s ongoing commitment to the musical arts, the performance venue will undergo an extensive, multi-million-dollar revitalization, creating a brand new venue in the heart of Hawaii’s most famed beach resort destination. Blue Note Hawaii is expected to open no later than early 2016.

“This unprecedented partnership with Blue Note Entertainment Group changes the music entertainment landscape in Waikiki,” said Barbara Campbell, vice president of retail leasing and property management for Outrigger Enterprises Group. “Music is a universal language and Outrigger looks forward to sharing this form of art at our brand-new Blue Note Hawaii venue with music lovers from around the world and here in Hawaii.”

When open, music fans can look forward to special room and show packages to be offered through Outrigger’s close relationship with its global network of travel partners within U.S., Japan, Korea, Australia and elsewhere.

The 9,000 square-foot facility is being designed by local architecture and interior design firm InForm Design, and will seat over 300 patrons, showcasing two performances nightly in an intimate setting - seven days a week, 365 days a year. A state-of-the-art dedicated gift shop is also planned. Talent buying and programming will be handled out of Blue Note Entertainment Group’s New York office. Additionally, the venue will be available for private event bookings.

Similar to other Blue Note locations, Blue Note Hawaii will feature leaders in jazz, as well as musicians of other genres, including top local island artists.

“In coming to Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaii joins 50 years of music history, revitalizing the famous showroom where Society of Seven made a lasting mark on the musical landscape of Waikiki,” said Campbell.

Through its partnership with Blue Note Entertainment Group, Outrigger is working with an organization that has presented many of the music industry’s greatest artists over the past 35 years, including jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughn, Chris Botti and many more.

“With our experience launching venues nationally and internationally, and our strong, impactful partner in Outrigger, Blue Note looks forward to bringing world renowned musicians to Hawaii,” said Danny Bensusan, founder and CEO of Blue Note Entertainment Group. “We are deeply committed to Blue Note Hawaii’s success.”

The announcement coincides with other recent Blue Note Entertainment Group initiatives, such as its expansion to China. Blue Note Entertainment Group has partnered with Winbright Culture and Media Co., Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing Winbright Investment Co., Ltd.). Blue Note Beijing also will open in 2016, followed by two additional locations in Shanghai and Taipei within the next three years.

“Blue Note Entertainment Group has had venues in Japan for over three decades now,” said Bensusan. “The addition of two new clubs in Hawaii and China will bridge new music opportunities for artists and fans alike in the greater Asia Pacific/Oceania region. We’re proud to partner with both Outrigger Resorts and Winbright Culture and Media Co., Ltd. in these two endeavors. We are deeply committed to Blue Note’s success in both of these territories.”

Blue Note Hawaii and China joins an impressive roster of venues between Outrigger Resorts and Blue Note Entertainment Group. Outrigger Resorts’ roster of musical venues includes Kani Ka Pila Grille, Duke’s Waikiki, Waikiki Beach Walk®, and a host of sponsored music events such as Mele Mei; the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards; the annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival, Slack Key Guitar Festival; Ukulele Festival; and more. Blue Note Entertainment Group owns and operates 10 music clubs worldwide, including venues in New York, Washington D.C., Milan and two locations in Japan.