ハワイ現地発！最新生活情報＆おすすめ観光情報サイト
ハワイ現地発！最新生活情報＆おすすめ観光情報サイト
Halekulani, which has captivated visitors for over 100 years. What is the way of life of Mr. Peter Shaindlin, the CEO of the Halekulani corporation and the leader and trumpet player of the jazz trio ‘Red Nova,’ a Nā Hōkū HanoHano Award finalist.
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I have lived a parallel life, balancing both business and music. My father was a composer for film and television music in New York, and my mother was an intellectual with deep knowledge of literature and art. I grew up learning music from a young age.
The time was the 1970s in New York. At the age of 18, I was playing the trumpet and started performing in jazz clubs. During this time, I happened to become a bartender and got involved in food and beverage services, which eventually led me to manage at a renowned hotel in New York. The people around me were mostly Europeans who spoke many different languages. I was no match for them in terms of competition. However, I realized that I could approach things more creatively from my music experience, and instead of going to hotel school like the others, I went to art school. At New York University, I studied photography, writing (mainly poetry), and music, learning the essence of art that conveys the same thing through different forms of expression.
People often call me an iconic luxury hotel specialist, but I’ve just gained one job after another. What I can say is that I also know art.
Halekulani sponsors many arts and cultural organizations. Ten years ago, I gave opera tickets, which we had sponsored, to a Hawaiian politician. Ten years later, I received a phone call saying, “The daughter who watched the opera back then has gone to a school in New York to study music!” This is why we sponsor these events. What is important is not the appearance of the hotel but how, through the hotel, we can influence a person’s life by creating memories and ways of thinking.
Red Nova conveys messages through music.
Having played the trumpet for over 50 years, I formed my dream minimal band, ‘Red Nova.’ With just trumpet, bass, and drums, our music has no vocals, and no ‘traditional’ compositions. The music is created the moment we step on stage and are bathed in the lights. This is free jazz.
At last year’s live performance, 20-30 year-olds from the digital generation attended.
They said, “We’re tired of social media and commercial music.” Recently, I was contacted by a woman who is working for the children in Ukraine. I sent her a video of a performance dedicated to them.
This is Red Nova. It’s not just jazz or music, but a message of true beauty, positive energy, and peace, creating experiences that lead to transformation for those who receive it.
Going back to university in my mid-50s: Understanding the meaning of art and life.
Finally, I’ll share the turning point that led to my philosophy. It was when I enrolled at Oxford University in my mid-50s. One day, I had lunch with Rick Blangiardi, who was about to become mayor, and I asked him about the common traits of people who change lives and change the world. He said, “Those who continue to learn throughout their lives.” After that, I majored in global business at the university and spent my nights at the library studying my favorite poetry and philosophy. That’s when I realized. The meaning of art is the essence of humanity. For me, work and music are about responsibility, creating meaningful experiences, and transforming souls. That is the way I live.
Peter Shaindlin◎Born in New York, he first read a book by Yukio Mishima at the age of 7. He was also deeply influenced by the jazz of Toshinori Kondo and by Shinto. He majored in Art and business at New York University. As a founding partner of Lotus Luxury Group, he managed businesses including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and the Food & Beverage division at the United Nations Headquarters. Now in his 21st year as CEO of a Halekulani corporation, he also studied Global Business at Oxford University.
※このページは「ライトハウス・ハワイ」 2025年4月号掲載の記事です。
