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Wow!! (Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso)

26 Jun 05 - 07:04 PM (#1510573)
Subject: Wow!!
From: Dave4Guild

Click on this, guess the tune, Burn guitar!

wow


26 Jun 05 - 07:16 PM (#1510582)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST,Bigfolker

Wow indeed


26 Jun 05 - 07:16 PM (#1510583)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: John O'L

I can only agree. Wow.

(Or perhaps Wah-Wah?)


26 Jun 05 - 07:21 PM (#1510585)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST

What is the tune ? I know it's one of George Formby's but I can't quite put my finger on it ...


26 Jun 05 - 07:31 PM (#1510588)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: lesblank

While My Guitar Gently Weeps !!!   I'm thinking about cutting off my fingers !!


26 Jun 05 - 08:31 PM (#1510614)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

incredible playing loud applause... for one moment I thought it was YoYoMa playing a shrunken Cello ;-)


26 Jun 05 - 08:54 PM (#1510617)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Leadfingers

Any one want to make me a sensible offer for a nice Ukulele ?? Gawd thats Tasty !! - With a Capital T !!


26 Jun 05 - 08:57 PM (#1510619)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST

But WHO is it?


26 Jun 05 - 09:20 PM (#1510633)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: katlaughing

Didn't work for me. I'd love to hear it!


26 Jun 05 - 10:05 PM (#1510664)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

I have watched it and listened several times, This guy is a modern day Segovia, absolutely an incredible rendition.....


26 Jun 05 - 10:25 PM (#1510679)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST

Tiny Tim's son - trained up by his father.


26 Jun 05 - 11:03 PM (#1510694)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: katlaughing

Thanks for the link, DaveTaM. Wonderful and amazing!


26 Jun 05 - 11:36 PM (#1510707)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

Is this the kid from Vancouver BC who's an absolute virtuoso? If it is, he is only about 15 or 16 at the most. Makes you wish you had taken up accounting.....hmmmm WOW!


27 Jun 05 - 12:10 AM (#1510717)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

If not, it could be this kid

Jake Shimabukuro
27 Jun 05 - 12:26 AM (#1510721)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: George Papavgeris

It is indeed Jake Shimabukuro, an absolute bastard of a player.
All I can say is that he probably picks his nose or something.
Nature is unfair... He is truly great


27 Jun 05 - 12:37 AM (#1510726)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

LOL! He's probably an incredibly nice guy with an IQ of about 300 as well. There is another one here in BC in the offing too that we heard on the CBC recently. Definitely magic.


27 Jun 05 - 12:38 AM (#1510728)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST

I just KNEW his name was TIM!!!!....and at age 15....he is tiny.


27 Jun 05 - 12:54 AM (#1510737)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: PoppaGator

Unbellle-e-e-e-e-e-vable!


27 Jun 05 - 07:37 AM (#1510881)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Morticia

that was amazing, what a player!


27 Jun 05 - 09:40 AM (#1510936)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: jeffp

This kid is absolutely spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm going to have to get that CD of his. Wow, indeed.

jeffp


27 Jun 05 - 09:52 AM (#1510941)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: katlaughing

Gawd, 15??!!! Thanks for tracking down who he is, Mets. Gotta get that CD!!


27 Jun 05 - 11:02 AM (#1510951)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

kat, I don't think Jake Shimabukuro is 15, although he doesn't appear to be very old on the Website or in the video, I was referring to another young man in Vancouver who is also quite spectacular as well.


27 Jun 05 - 04:00 PM (#1511150)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

refresh


27 Jun 05 - 04:47 PM (#1511188)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Clinton Hammond

Don Ross better watch his ass!


27 Jun 05 - 05:07 PM (#1511200)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: *daylia*

What a treat!! And to think I gave up ukelele for guitar, so many years ago ...

Too bad they didn't bother to name the artist. How *Canadian* of them! He looks older than 15, whoever he is. I bet he's classically trained - on the guitar. And that he practices 12 hours a day.

Thanks alot, Dave!


27 Jun 05 - 05:14 PM (#1511208)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: katlaughing

daylia, I think, from what Mets posted, he really is Jake Shimabukuro; just not as young as I thought. Still, WOW!

Thanks, again, Mets and Dave for the working link. Rick Fielding would've enjoyed this.

kat


27 Jun 05 - 05:17 PM (#1511211)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Kitty

I hurt listening to him, probably only from rampant jealousy. I only sort of play my guitar, and that, badly. I can't imagine being able to play like that. What it would be like to be in the same room listening to him... "Wow" is as good a word for it all as I can come up with.
k


27 Jun 05 - 05:25 PM (#1511218)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

I would think from the website *daylia*, Canada can't claim him but Hawaii sure can.


27 Jun 05 - 05:44 PM (#1511236)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: *daylia*

Didn't see your link Metchosin - thanks. And you too, kat! I agree it must be Jake Shimabukuro. Ooooo   Hawaii here I come!!! (I only wish...)


27 Jun 05 - 05:57 PM (#1511250)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

He IS amazing! Thanks, Dave for spreading the word.

Some of my guitar picking friends are going to HATE me for showing them this!


27 Jun 05 - 06:35 PM (#1511273)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: John MacKenzie

You sure he's not 15? All the characteristics are there, the glasses the wrist a blur :¬]
Then again I could be being bitchy on account of his awesome Ukeing [New word]
Giok


27 Jun 05 - 09:54 PM (#1511324)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Clinton Hammond

Ya gotta hear his cover of The Pink Panther

I wonder what this kid'd sound like with a real instrument...


27 Jun 05 - 10:21 PM (#1511337)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Highlandman

That is no dime store uke, Clinton--
plays true all the way up the neck and still in tune at the end after all that banging ... the instrument is almost as impressive as the player.
Definitely has classical training, probably in Spanish style.
-HM


27 Jun 05 - 11:32 PM (#1511374)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: katlaughing

Okay, found out he was 27 in 2004 and damn he is so cute! Nice little write-up with more pix of him HERE. Did some touring with Bela Fleck, too.

kat


28 Jun 05 - 04:28 AM (#1511476)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Hand-Pulled Boy

It looks like there are only 4 strings on that instrument. The kid needs a real challenge!


28 Jun 05 - 08:37 AM (#1511567)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST,Anna

Although I can't fault the performance, which was pretty darn amazing. What always gets me is peoples reactions to performances like this. He can play his instrument, woo hoo! This is a common occurance that I find in the classical world, you find people that are gifted, talented and amazing. It's expected. Why is this not the case in the folk world? I was performing concertos with orchestras at the age of 15 ... I could play my instrument. Why do people seem so surprised in folk?


28 Jun 05 - 09:03 AM (#1511590)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

Dear Guest Anna... No-one is surprised by his virtuosity, but in the quality of sound he can produce from a four stringed instrument not commonly credited with such ability.

Yours, Aye. Dave


28 Jun 05 - 11:10 AM (#1511669)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

I would agree DaveTAM, it is not his virtuosity that is unique, but his fundamental musicality on an instrument that garners about as much respect as a crumpled milk carton. What he manages to convey, where a lot of musicians fail, despite a sophisticated technical ability, is love.


28 Jun 05 - 01:21 PM (#1511762)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: Metchosin

Re love, perhaps a further explanation. IMO, there is a loss of "self" within his music and within his loss of "self", others are embraced and are touched at a fundamental level.


28 Jun 05 - 01:36 PM (#1511770)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: CarolC

If I was his guitar, I'd be weeping too, considering what this guy has been doing with his ukelele.


28 Jun 05 - 02:01 PM (#1511786)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: *daylia*

... while my guitar gently weeps in the presence of these Hawaiian ukes extraordinaire....

$1400-2300 US?!? Wowwww ... and I wonder if young Shimabukuro's instrument is custom crafted, and therefore worth even more ....


28 Jun 05 - 02:22 PM (#1511801)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: *daylia*

And here's a biography of this exceptional young man. Nothing about his instruments, but it sounds like you're right on about the love inherent in his music, Metchosin -

...While Jake has great respect and love for traditional Hawaiian ukulele music, his mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more.

At just four years of age, Jake was given his first ukulele lesson by his mother. "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.

Jake views the ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential." ...

Jake's musical accomplishments are well known throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Japan, though he is perhaps known equally as well for his tender, yet outgoing personality and warm heart. In his spare time, Jake visits schools to talk with and play music for the children of Hawaii inspiring thousands to put their energy into learning about and playing music.

Following the fatal collision between a U.S. submarine and a Japanese fishing vessel in Hawaiian waters in February 2001, Jake composed Ehime Maru to honor the nine victims and their families. Proceeds were donated to a fund benefiting the families. Although he did not intend to gain recognition for this private work, Ehime Maru has gained worldwide recognition and acclaim.

The State of Hawaii recognizes Jake as an outstanding musician and role model for the people of Hawaii... He plans to continue recording, performing, collaborating, and staying happy. "I love what I do. I'm forever thankful for music."


And for a peek at Jake's instructional DVD on his unique virtuoso style and technique, click here.

(migod I think I'm smitten too .... oh nooooooo   ;~)


28 Jun 05 - 02:33 PM (#1511810)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: GUEST

Really, now! What we've been seeing is NOT just "showing off," not just a display of technical virtuosity. It's terrific MUSIC!

Highlandman is right ~ the ukelele may, in general, be a humble little instrument, but this guy's uke is a beautifully made, top-quality instrument. However, it's not the instrument but the playing that's most impressive ~ and, more critically, most enjoyable.


28 Jun 05 - 02:48 PM (#1511829)
Subject: RE: Wow!!
From: *daylia*

Well, even just LOOKING at instruments that are la creme de la creme is one of my life's great pleasures, GUEST. Almost as great as listening to the music an innovative virtuoso like Shimabukuro can produce on one! There's no way music of that quality could be produced on a $20 WalMart special, regardless of who was playing it.

BUt the love can still pour out of those WalMart specials ... thank god ...


14 Jan 20 - 04:14 PM (#4028340)
Subject: RE: Wow!! (Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso)
From: FreddyHeadey

here he is in 2009


https://youtu.be/0gaWuadgL3g


16 Jan 20 - 10:59 AM (#4028617)
Subject: RE: Wow!! (Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso)
From: leeneia

I just heard Jake in concert. He had a lead guitar and bass guitar with him, and there was a strong rock influence all night. Nonetheless we enjoyed the evening, though not enough to do it again. I had to wear hearing protection for the high notes.

The audience was good size and response was enthusiastic. Finally, finally, he played a traditional number as the last piece of the show, and we went wild.