The second oldest son of influential slack key guitarist Gabby Pahinui, James 'Bla' Pahinui has followed in his father's footsteps. An innovative slack key guitarist, in his own right, Pahinui is known for his distinctive phrasing. As he explained in a mid-'90s interview, "I like to stretch notes and take the melodies into new directions." Born in Honolulu and raised in Waimanolo, O'ahu, Pahinui was exposed to music from his earliest memory. As a youngster, he often attended the nightly jam sessions that his father hosted in the family home.