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| Jake Shimabukuro, the "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele" Fresh off a national tour with Jimmy Buffett and back in Raleigh by popular demand, Hawaii's ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro returns to Fletcher Theater for what is sure to be another awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping performance. This is the last concert in PineCone's 2008-2009 Down Home series. Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential." His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake's mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only the traditional Hawaiian music many associate with it. Evolving from the heavily amplified riffs that earned Jake the reputation as "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele, " now Jake masterfully extracts the pure "clean" natural acoustic sound of the ukulele. Live, Jake's newest CD, which is also his first live CD, will be fully released on April 14, 2009. This full release will follow an exclusive release on March 8, coinciding with the opening of Target stores in Hawaii. The album will be carried and sold exclusively by Target Hawaii Stores for 30 days. This is Jake's first full-length CD since 2006's best-selling Gently Weeps. After taping dozens of U.S. and overseas performances, Jake chose these tracks as representing the best of the best of his live playing. "I've always wanted to release a live CD because there's something magical about capturing the energy of the audience during a performance, " Jake says. "Every cheer and chuckle writes itself into each tune and becomes a part of the arrangement. Every track reveals a different side of the ukulele. Soft and sensitive at times, other times cheery and playful, occasionally dramatic, and, once in a while, hard and aggressive. "I enjoyed putting this album together because it preserved the feeling of each concert. Every venue had a refreshingly intimate vibe that made the creation of music pleasurable. My favorite moments are the spontaneous ones of laughter and joy between songs. Music should bring happiness. The sound of the ukulele always makes me smile. I think the world would be a greater place if everyone played the ukulele." The 17-song CD includes 12 Shimabukuro originals (nine versions of his best-known compositions, plus three brand-new tunes) and five covers (including a jaw-dropping version of J.S. Bach's "Two-Part Invention No. 4 in D Minor" and an amazing interpretation of "Thriller, " the Rod Temperton song made famous by Michael Jackson). Of course there's a live version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps, " which might be Jake's best-recorded version yet! A video clip of Jake playing this song in Central Park started circulating the internet resulting in e-mails of support and amazement from across the globe; France, England, Germany, Sweden, and also Australia and Korea, where Jake recently signed distribution deals. To date, the video has been viewed more than 1.5 million times. Jake had the honor of meeting Harrison's widow, Olivia, backstage at a show with the Honolulu Symphony. Afterward, she described feeling George's presence with her when Jake played his rendition of George's "Gently Weeps." At just four years of age, Jake's mother gave him his first lesson. "When I played my first chord I was hooked, " says Jake, "I fell in love with the instrument." That love grew into a deep passion to create and innovate. Experimenting with various guitar effect pedals allows Jake to create sounds never thought possible on the tiny four-string, two-octave instrument. A true showman, his performance captivates audiences with intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying, high-energy grooves and smooth, melodic ballads evoking heartfelt emotion. From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu café, Jake has gone on to play famous venues such as the House of Blues and The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles), The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA), Tipitina's (New Orleans), Joe's Pub and B.B. King's Nightclub (NYC), The Bumbershoot Festival (Seattle), The Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) and many others. Touring with Jimmy Buffett in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 gave Jake the experience of a lifetime, regularly exposing his virtuosity and amazing stage presence to crowds of over 50, 000. Jake's first national television performance came in December 2005 on NBC's The Late Show with Conan O'Brien. In June 2002, Jake became the first ukulele player from Hawaii to sign with Epic Records International/Sony Music International. Three years later, Jake obtained a U.S. distribution deal for his HITCHHIKE RECORDS label. Selection as the spokesman three years in a row for Hawaii Tourism Japan's (HTJ) aggressive campaign to market Hawaii to Japan, as well as his frequent tours of the island nation, have made Jake Shimabukuro a household name in Japan. "Rainbow, " a track from Walking Down Rainhill, was selected as HTJ's theme song as well as the official Honolulu Marathon theme song in 2004. In 2006, Gently Weeps track "Beyond the Break" was selected as the Marathon's theme song and was played as Jake crossed the finish line upon completion of his first marathon run. Jake's musical accomplishments are well known throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Japan, though he is perhaps known equally as well for his outgoing personality and warm heart. In his spare time Jake often visits schools to talk with and play music for the children of Hawaii, hopefully inspiring thousands to put their energy into learning about and playing music. The State of Hawaii recognizes Jake as an outstanding musician and role model for the people of Hawaii. In 2004 Jake was named Hawaii's goodwill ambassador to Japan and received "The Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation" for being an active voice in U.S.-Japan relations at the grassroots level. In a ceremony held on September 4, 2006, Jake was appointed as the 160th Okinawa-Uchina Ambassador at the Okinawan State House. Jake toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (2002, 2005, 2006) and recorded on the band's Little Worlds (2003) album. Jake is also featured on Ziggy Marley's Grammy Award winning Love is My Religion (2006) and contributed to the soundtrack of the Jimmy Buffett-produced film Hoot. This was a priceless experience for Jake and gave him the confidence to score the recently released Japanese independent film Hula Girl. Two songs from the film score, "Wish on My Star" and "Hula Girl, " are bonus tracks on Gently Weeps. Recognized as a virtuoso not only by his audience, but also by fellow musicians and producers, Jake has had the opportunity to perform with and/or open for Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Bobby McFerrin, John Hiatt, Victor Wooten, Chris Thile, Keller Williams, Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Les Paul, Jamie Cullum, Kaki King, Stanley Clarke, Blues Traveler, Stephen Bishop, John Craven, Hot Buttered Rum, Radiators, Honolulu Symphony, Chance and Mista D of Nashville's MuzikMafia. Energy, imagination, and innovation have been Jake's keys to success. He plans to continue recording, performing, collaborating, and staying happy. "I love what I do. I'm forever thankful for music." PineCone—the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, is a private, nonprofit, charitable membership organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting traditional music, dance and other folk performing arts. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |