Robert Alden Short Jr., talented guitarist
Robert Alden Short Jr., 70, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, at Maui Memorial Medical Center after a battle with cancer.
Bo was born to former Delaware Insurance Commissioner Robert A. Short and the late Marjorie Townsend Bramhall. Bo grew up on a 600-acre grain and dairy farm on Trap Pond Road, across the field from his grandparents, Alden and Doris Short. His other grandparents, Judge Howard and Margaret Bramhall, lived in Georgetown. Bo enjoyed playing baseball and basketball, and going to Bethany Beach. He enjoyed music from a very early age. Bo started out as a tap dancer, trumpet player and drummer. He attended Georgetown School from 1958-68.
In 1969, Bo attended Appleton Academy in New Ipswich, N.H. He then transferred to Mt. Hermon School in Northfield, Mass. It was there that he began playing the guitar. In 1971, Bo attended Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood, Calif. Then he decided to travel to England, France and Spain. Returning to the U.S., Bo met the masters of flamenco in San Francisco. He learned how to play that style of guitar, which became his passion.
Bo moved to Maui, Hawaii, in 1975. He lived and worked with the One World Family and Café Paradise, and played guitar with the Haiku Players. In 1985, Bo worked at Pierce Music Store in Dover and Rehoboth Beach. In 1986, he ventured to Boulder, Colo., and worked at Rocky Mountain Records. In 1987, Bo returned to Maui and began a career managing Bounty Music and J.R.’s. He and Ginger Briscoe performed guitars at Zambalas. In 1997, Bo began Beau Shores, the Blues Gypsy and Funk ‘n Flamenco Artist. He began playing in duos and trios at clubs, conventions, hotels, lounges, and weddings. These groups performed classical, Latin jazz, Gypsy swing and bossa nova. Beau Shores was once the opening act for Willie K at the Maui Film Festival. He performed at the Maui Jazz Festival with the Jose Cano Band. Beau also played with Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo, Luis Diaz, Neto Peranza and Ricardo Dioso. Beau played regularly at Maui’s Four Seasons Hotel with an eclectic trio of violins featuring Andrea Walls, Don Lax and Vance Koenig, called Apassionata.
In 2000, Beau Shores released a CD titled, “Ole Allah.” In 2003, he moved to the Big Island. He performed in a club duo with Ursula Vietze. In 2007, Beau returned to Maui. He was a regular attendee of Adele Rugg’s annual Dec.7 Delaware Day held at Beach Bums on Maui. Beau had once been a trumpet student at Rugg’s Music Shop in Seaford.
In recent years, Beau could be found at Bounty Music or busking and singing at the Kula Community Center. He had the occasion to jam at Willie Nelson’s bar, Charley’s, with Tom Conway and at Heritage Hall with Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo.
In 2019, Beau Shores was the opening act for the annual Jimi Hendrix Birthday Bash. He performed at the Makawao Public Library in January 2020. Beau was featured in The Maui News Jan. 21, 2022, after the pandemic. His music can be heard on his website beaushores.com.
Bo is preceded in death by his parents and oldest sister, Margaret Carol Short of Rehoboth Beach. He leaves behind his sister, Nancy Short Vickers (Ron) of Lewes, and Deborah Short Merkle (Martin) of Portland, Ore.; two nephews, Will Short Vickers of Washington, D.C., and Lucas Burns Merkle (Margie) of Portland; and a niece, Tessa Jane Merkle of Portland. He says goodbye to his cousin, George Bramhall (Dawn) of California; and his longtime Bethany Beach friend, Bobby Mahan (Connie) of Florida. Beau also leaves behind his Maui family of friends and musicians: Arjuna Noor and Christina Cheney, Anita Hallard and Joe Smith, Jaiia Earthschild and David Techou, Le’a Gaylene Barron, Phil Swatek, John and Susan McClean, Linda and Greg, Jason Matsui, Zephyr and Wind Cloud, Tom Conway, Paul Weinstein, Rosalind Modica, Paco, “my girls” at the Kula Community Center, Shawn at Anytime Fitness, Thai Mee Up food truck, Baldwin Beach, and Rice Park.
The family would like to thank Dr. Shannon Rey, and all of the doctors and angelic nurses at Maui Memorial Medical Center for their compassionate care.
There will be a celebration of Beau Shores’ life and Farewell Concert at Heritage Hall, Paia, in January.
In lieu of flowers, donate to your local musicians and the arts.
