Kaumeheiwa received a Bachelor’s of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied both jazz and classical music with renowned bassist Richard Davis. From Wisconsin, Kaumeheiwa moved to New York City, where he performed with the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
After moving to the Boston area, Kaumeheiwa studied jazz bass and improvisation with legendary bassist Ron Carter as part of the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at New England Conservatory. Meanwhile, he continued his classical bass studies with virtuoso bassist Donald Palma.
While at the Monk Institute, Kaumeheiwa performed with Jimmy Heath, Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Harry “Sweets” Edison, and James Moody. He has performed throughout Italy, at the Havana Jazz Festival, as well as in and around Boston, frequently performing at Sculler’s Jazz Club, Ryles, Wally’s Jazz Cafe, and the Regattabar.
