I first met Gabe when he was the guest conductor of the 1988 Select High School Jazz Band. He was already a legend and I had heard of him and relished the chance to play under him. It was the beginning of a long and cherished musical mentorship which blossomed into a wonderful camaraderie. Since that time I have played countless gigs with him and I can tell you NOT ONCE did I EVER hear him play a bad note! Everything he played contained passion, love, intensity, and soulfulness. Who he was as a person was identical to that musical spirit with which he played because music IS truth. There is so much more I could say but I will simply say this...Everyone who had the good fortune to hear him play is blessed indeed. He is the greatest instrumentalist to ever come out of Hawaii. There will never be another one like him.  Aloha oe, Gabe!

I think what I loved most about Gabe was his humility. As great a musician as he was, he would work with and encourage the not so great. It was always a treat to work with him. Rather than feeling intimidated by his talent, he made me feel comfortable and so always moved to do my best. We have lost a great musician and humble friend. Remembering Gabe will always bring a smile to my face. Our condolences, love and aloha to all of the family. Bob and Claire Scellato

In high school I played in a band called "Wave" with Gabe's nephews Jr. and David Choy. The three of us went to see Gabe and the band at Cavalier's one night. Gabe let us sit in. When he asked my name, I said John Kolivas. He didn't quite get my last name, so he called me John Kolifee! From then on, Jr. and David called me Leefee (I'm Uncle Leefee to their kids)!

The greatest musician to come out of Hawai’i. A master of his instrument with an endless well of creative ideas combined with a depth of expression few of us could  ever hope to  tap into, Gabe was a rare and wonderful creative force. All of us who got to hear his message, and especially those privileged few who got to share the stage and experience his craft up close and personal are wonderfully blessed for we were witnesses of that rare and beautiful gift of someone doing exactly what God created him to do, doing it to the full, giving us a lifetime’s worth of magical musical memories. 

Aloha ‘oe Gabe. “There will never be another you.”

You will be missed Uncle Gabe. ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇯🇵🇵🇭

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Gabriel Ruiz Baltazar Jr.

November 1, 1929 – June 12, 2022

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