Mena Moeria Minstrels

The Mena Moeria Minstrels

The Mena Moeria Minstrels were a popular Netherlands based Hawaiian music group. They were made up of mainly Moluccans from the former Dutch East Indies colony. The group was originally led by steel guitarist Rudi Wairata and also featured Joyce Aubrey and Ming Luhulima. They were prolific in their output releasing at least twenty singles in the 1950s.

Background

The Mena Moeria Minstrels, like their sister group the Amboina Serenaders were under the umbrella of Rudi Wairata. They were in the Hawaiian music bag.[1] In 1951, the line up consisted of Rudi Wairata, Ming Luhulima, Charlie Kuipers, Pariury and Patty. Around 1952, Joyce Aubrey joined the group. Guitarist Joop Sahanaya, a cousin of Wairata also joined.[2] In addition to them,[3] the act also included some dancing hula girls.[4]

In 1953, Wairata was able to get a recording contract from Dureco. The way they interpreted Hawaiian music had the interest of the record company.[5]

Having found success with the Mena Moeria Minstrels, Wairata started up another group, the Amboina Serenaders. This group basically had the same line up of members as the Minstrels with the exception of an extra member who played the vibraphone.[6]

Around 1957, a disagreement within the group developed, which resulted in the departure of Wairata. His departure also affected the Amboina Serenaders. This resulted in Luhulima being leader of both groups.[7] In 1958, Aubrey left the band to join her ex-husbands group, the Royal Hawaiian Minstrels.[8][9]

In 1962, under the obvious leadership of Ming Luhulima, an EP was issued on the Omega label with all compositions by Luhulima. The tracks were "Waikiki Beach March", "Bongo March", "Polynesian March" and "Maori March". It also featured Coy Pereira on steel guitar.[10]

Later years

Founding member Rudi Wairata died in 1981.[11] The following year "Ola Bapa Dja" bw "Goro Goro Né was re released on Non records.[12]

Members

Discography

Singles

Extended play

Albums

The Mena Moeria Minstrels
The Mena Minstrels

References

  1. ↑ The Komedie Stamboel: Popular Theater in Colonial Indonesia, 1891-1903 by Matthew Isaac Cohen Page 359 Mahieu's Legacy
  2. ↑ Waikiki Islanders Website Rudi Wairata 1929 - 1981, The Mena Moeria Minstrels - The Amboina Serenaders, biografie, 1951, 1952
  3. ↑ Recollecting Resonances: Indonesian-Dutch Musical Encounters Edited by Bart Barendregt and Els Boegerts Page 286 Chapter twelve, Rein Spoorman
  4. ↑ Dutch Exotica Artists, 15. The Mena Moeria Minstrels – South Sea Breeze Archived 2016-02-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Harry Knipschild Artikelen, 04 - Dutch-East Indies artists and their role in the music industry 1950-1970, Rudi Wairata and George de Fretes
  6. ↑ Dutch Exotica Artists, 11. Amboina Serenaders – Bali Bali Boogie Archived 2016-02-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Waikiki Islanders Rudi Wairata
  8. ↑ Recollecting Resonances: Indonesian-Dutch Musical Encounters Edited by Bart Barendregt and Els Boegerts Page 286 Chapter twelve, Rein Spoorman
  9. ↑ Billboard March 30, 1963 Page 37 International News Reports, Holland
  10. ↑ 45Cat Mena Moeria Minstrels - Discography
  11. ↑ Billboard August 1, 1981 Page 68 General News, Deaths
  12. ↑ NLDiscografie.nl Mena Moeria Minstrels
  13. ↑ Waikiki Islanders Website Rudi Wairata, Rudi Wairata 1929-1981, biography (With English translation)
  14. ↑ NLDiscografie.nl Mena Moeria Minstrels
  15. ↑ Discogs Rudi Wairata & His Mena Moeria Minstrels Discography
  16. ↑ kanaalridder Mena Moeria Minstrels
  17. ↑ Discogs Rudi Wairata & His Mena Moeria Minstrels Discography
  18. ↑ Discogs The Mena Minstrels Discography
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