The Ukelele and Jake Shimabukuro

Hawaii is not just the land of Aloha, it is also the home of the ukelele, a music instrument with just four strings.  Almost everyone in Hawaii, both young and old, plays the ukelele. But never before has Hawaii seen a ukelele played like Jake Shimabukuro plays it -- with a lot of imagination and passion.

Born and raised in Hawaii and of Japanese descent, Jake has been romancing the ukelele since he was four years old. Watch the videos in the links below and you'll understand why he has been called  the "ukelele virtuoso of Hawaii."  My favorite piece is Jake's version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It is  in 24:30 of the first video.

Please enjoy the aloha that Jake Shimabukuro brings to the world through his music. 

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gJJ3aDif5A 

 

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

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365004338
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukulele
 

- Ariel Murphy