"Pianist and composer Kawika Heftel's debut album shows a depth and
maturity beyond what you might expect of a 19-year-old, incorporating
pieces he's written mostly in a light classical vein, with touches of 
soft jazz and folk and other genres...  His compositions are, for the 
most part, soft and moody, living up to the CD's title. And he plays
with both skill and passion, conveying the emotion of his work."

By Carma Wadley
Deseret News senior writer

KAWIKA HEFTEL, "Solace" (self-published).
   Pianist and composer Kawika Heftel's debut album shows a depth and 
maturity beyond what you might expect of a 19-year-old, incorporating
pieces he's written mostly in a light classical vein, with touches of 
soft jazz and folk and other genres. He also throws in a bit of Gershwin, 
some Debussy, the evocative "Ashokan Farewell," and songs written by friends 
and family.
   His compositions are, for the most part, soft and moody, living up 
to the CD's title. And he plays with both skill and passion, conveying the
emotion of his work.
   In a personal note, he talks about how music has helped him through 
some of life's trials, such as the divorce of his parents. "This music," he
notes, "has been distilling in my mind" for a long time.  
   He also notes that he produced the CD to help finance an LDS mission 
to Lithuania. For information on its availability, call 801-377-0407 or 
e-mail . 

By Carma Wadley
Deseret News senior writer
E-mail: 
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