J is for Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro

My J-day is for Jake Shimabukuru. Born in Honalulu on November 3rd 1976, this young guy has brought the ukulele a new respectability. No longer is the ukulele a joke instrument. Along with The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Jake has helped to make the instrument seem 'cool' and 'current.'. There are groups in small towns, big town, schools, colleges, old folks homes all over the world. It's easy to learn to play and it's lost it vaudeville or George Formby image, unless that's what you're into. In New Zealand, schools are teaching ukulele instead of the recorder.

Listen to Jake play George Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and you will be amazed that this is being played on a humble ukulele and not a classical guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k

Hear more of Jake and be inspired, as I was, to pick up a uke and start strumming.

Let's Dance:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqaYmQZgrB4

Michael Jackson's Thriller:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02-gXysqDo8&feature=related

Enjoy!



(Photo: Wikipedia)