Israel (IZ) Kamakawiwo'ole

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The growing success of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, a Hawaiian vocalist known to many simply as "IZ," is an amazing story. In 1993, following a successful recording and performing career as part of the Mäkaha Sons of Ni'ihau group, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole released his solo CD "Facing Future" which launched an impressive solo career and even today remains one of the top selling Hawaiian albums in the world.

IZ's music gained national attention, and Billboard Magazine writer Doug Reece wrote: "In 1997 there were only seven weeks when Hawaiian musicians--citizens of a state whose population is a fraction of all others--did not appear on the Top World Music Albums chart. Even more impressive was the individual tally scored by cherished, recently deceased vocalist Israel Kamakawiwo`ole"

As listeners around the world were becoming aware of IZ's music, so were people in power in film and television who were insistent in their desire to use Israel's music within their projects. His music was featured in numerous television series and film, including "Young Americans" (Fox Television), "Wind On Water" (NBC), "Party of Five" (Fox Television), "Picket Fences" (CBS), "Race The Sun" (Tri-Star film), "Little Girls In Pretty Boxes" (Victor Television-Lifetime Television Movie Of The Week), "Byrds In Paradise" (ABC), "Lani Loa" (Chrome Dragon Pictures film) and "In God's Hands" (Independent feature film produced by Zalman King- 1998 release).

Universal Studios contacted The Mountain Apple Company regarding Israel's recording of "Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" after the song caught the ear of director Martin Brest ("Scent Of A Woman", "Beverly Hills Cop"). Following the success in "Meet Joe Black," eToys.com adopted IZ's music for a series of national television commercials. Israel's sweet voice lent itself beautifully to the television commercials developed for eToys.com, which celebrated the innocence and beauty of childhood and the discovery of a world filled with wonder.

IZ's musical momentum continued into 2001, as once again his music was featured in a major motion film, "Finding Forrester" starring Sean Connery and directed by Gus Van Sant ("Good Will Hunting"), released in January 2001. In July 2001, IZ's music hit the big screen once again, this time in the movie "Made" starring Vince Vaughan and Jon Favreau. 2001 also saw the release of IZ's new CD, "Alone In IZ World," which debuted #1 on Billboard's World Chart and #135 on Billboard's Top 200. This was an unprecedented achievement for this CD, one of only 12 CDs to ever debut #1 on the World Chart. It has remained consistently in the Top 10 of Billboard's World Chart for the 34 weeks since it's release.

In May 2002, producer John Wells selected IZ's music for the top-rated television show "ER," selected it for the Dr. Greene final episode that was viewed by 50 million people. Also in 2002, IZ's music was featured in the NBC series "Providence.

Fans of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's music include Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dean Koontz, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Favreau, the New York Mets' Benny Ahgbayani, and director Martin Brest.

Alone in IZ World An anthology of both released and unreleased material, all digitally remastered rounds out the IZ catalog and is the fastest selling Hawaiian album of all time. This loving tribute to the original Big Boy contains two tracks previously unreleased by IZ ("Mona Lisa," and a medley of "Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy" & "Ka Huila Wai"), plus new arrangements and unplugged performances of IZ favorites. It is also an enhanced CD, containing photos, a bio, a catalog of IZ's albums, and a screen saver. CD Price: $15.97

Facing Future The first ever album to receive an RIAA Certified Gold Record for Hawaiian, Facing Future has introduced the entire planet earth to Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole. This is the spring board which catapulted IZ's music in to so many Film and TV projects. CD Price: $15.97

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