Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukurois a ukulele virtuoso and composer known for his fast and complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco. Shimabukuro has written numerous original compositions, including the entire soundtracks to two Japanese films, Hula Girlsand the Japanese remake of Sideways...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth3 November 1976
CityHonolulu, HI
CountryUnited States of America
I'm so touched. I had an awesome jam session in a classroom today.
Because if everyone played the ukulele, this world would be a much happier place.
Bill Gates recently picked up the ukulele. And Warren Buffett is a huge ukulele fan. I even got to strum a few chords with Francis Ford Coppola. It blows my mind that these people, who have everything in the world they could want, have picked up the ukulele and found a little bit of joy.
Most people are awestruck when they see Lady Gaga and Bette Midler, but then the queen comes in.
Sometimes I can't think of a better way to end my day than coming home and just strumming my ukulele for a few minutes. I mean, I joke around and tell people that it's an entire yoga session in one strum, you know?
Now I know what a dulcimer is supposed to sound like.
The ukulele has always appealed to the older generation.
I always feel a little funny being in front of a lot of people trying to show them my approach to the ukulele, but I do enjoy it. I do get a little more nervous doing workshops rather than performing.
You know, Leonard Cohen is amazing, just a mastermind, and really one of the great geniuses of our time.
Most of my ukulele heroes were traditional players from Hawaii, like Eddie Kamae and Ohta-san. There may not be uke stars in popular culture, but there are certainly pop stars that play uke - George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Taylor Swift, Train, and Paul McCartney.
Blues, rock and hip hop are more about a lifestyle and culture than notes on a page.
When I played my first chord, I was hooked. I fell in love with the instrument.
There's something about the ukulele that just makes you smile. It makes you let your guard down. It brings out the child in all of us.
When I was growing up, there was no such thing as a touring ukulele player.