The South Seas

Vintage Hawaiian Steel Guitar · Jazz Standards · Western Swing

Warm mid-century cocktail music — Hawaiian steel guitar, Fender Rhodes, archtop guitar, and bass, entirely instrumental — for cocktail hours, wineries, private events, and receptions.

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Book The South Seas

Watch

The South Seas play “Beyond the Reef” — vintage Hawaiian steel guitar with Fender Rhodes and bass.

Listen

The basic sound: Hawaiian steel guitar out front, warm chords underneath, melody first — music that adds atmosphere without taking over the room.

South Sea Moon
Vintage island lounge
Beyond the Reef
Romantic steel guitar
Nuages
Cocktail-hour jazz
Hula Blues
Island blues · Western swing

Upcoming Shows

The easiest way to know if the band fits your event is to come hear a set — these are the public dates.

Jul
21
2026
Private Event
1–2 pm
Aug
6
2026
Private Event
4–5 pm
Aug
14
2026
Poulsbo Arts Festival
Poulsbo Waterfront
1:15–2:15 pm
Aug
16
2026
Art on the Green
Bainbridge Island, WA
2–3 pm
Sep
20
2026
Eleven Winery
Bainbridge Island, WA
2–5 pm

The Band

Four musicians from Bainbridge Island playing the music of a world that existed somewhere between 1935 and 1965 — jazz standards, Hawaiian swing, and Western swing, all filtered through a mid-century sensibility.

At the center are a 1958 Fender Stringmaster and a vintage Fender Rhodes, surrounded by archtop guitar, bass, and brushes. The result is warm, intimate music with the glow of another era — entirely instrumental and conversation-friendly.

1958 Fender Stringmaster Fender Rhodes
Jason KuykendallJason Kuykendall
Fender Stringmaster
Alex Fermanis
Alex Fermanis
Fender Rhodes
Marcus Kitley
Marcus Kitley
Bass
Rob Dickerson
Rob Dickerson
Archtop Guitar

The Repertoire

A set moves through jazz standards, Hawaiian classics, and Western swing, with detours into mid-century pop — all from the same sensibility. Sets can lean more Hawaiian, more jazz, or more Western swing depending on the room.

Jazz
  • Stardust
  • Nuages
  • After You've Gone
  • Just Friends
  • The Shadow of Your Smile
  • Chloe
  • Wave
Hawaiian
  • Beyond the Reef
  • South Sea Moon
  • My Little Grass Shack
  • Mapuana
  • Pagan Love Song
  • Sand
Western Swing
  • Don't Fence Me In
  • Panhandle Rag
  • Steel Guitar Rag
  • Cattle Call
Pop Standards
  • Sleepwalk
  • Harbor Lights
  • Ebb Tide

For Bookers

The South Seas is a Bainbridge Island instrumental group playing jazz standards, Hawaiian swing, Western swing, and mid-century pop. The sound is warm, relaxed, and distinctive: 1958 Fender Stringmaster steel guitar, Fender Rhodes, archtop guitar, bass, and light drums.

Best for

cocktail hours · dinners · private events · gallery openings · wineries · senior living · garden parties · community events

What to expect

We arrive early, bring our own PA and equipment, and keep the volume comfortable for conversation. Sets run 45–60 minutes; background events 2–3 hours with breaks. Self-sufficient for most rooms — no extra production needed.

Duo
Steel guitar + guitar or Rhodes. Smaller rooms, dinners, senior living.
Trio
Steel + guitar/Rhodes + bass. Fuller sound, stays conversational.
Quartet / Quintet
Steel, Rhodes, guitar, bass, light drums. Cocktail parties, wineries, outdoor events.

Volume Comfortable for conversation

Location Bainbridge Island · Kitsap · Seattle area

Sets 45–60 min sets · cocktail hours · 2–3 hr background events

thesouthseasmusic@gmail.com
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