Debut Album Released From Genre-bending Neal Facciuto's Colors

Honolulu, HI (Top40 Charts/ Neal Facciuto Official Website) Composer Neal Facciuto has released a new album featuring Honolulu singing talents Amanda Tafel and Hawaiian Idol winner, Kalona. The album, Flora, was released on June 5th and features classical orchestration behind more popular singing styles.

"There is simplicity in the vocals and in the harmonies, but with an orchestra as the vehicle," Mr. Facciuto said. "I wanted to write something that wouldn't require careful listening, but that would still reward the careful listener."

The two singers, Amanda Tafel and Kalona, were discovered in Honolulu while Mr. Facciuto was teaching and working on his Ph.D. Tafel, a graduate of Ithaca College in New York, was working as a church choir director. In 2009, Kalona won the top honor of Hawaiian Idol, an island version of the popular TV show.

Mr. Facciuto is an American composer and a conductor of his own works. He is a former student of the Ukrainian-American maestro, Virko Baley. In 2011, he formed "Colors," a brand of music which blends classical and blues worlds. He has taught courses at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the University of Hawai'i. He is married to cellist, Rebekah Facciuto, and currently resides in Honolulu.

"Flora" is the first product of Colors, with follow-up albums in the works. The album is available digitally at all major online stores, and listening samples can be heard at FacciutoColors.com.