Jake Shimabukuro
Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM at Emelin Theatre
“Mr. Shimabukuro, who hails from Hawaii — where his chosen instrument is neither a conversation piece nor a punch line — comes by his fame with buoyant musicianship and brisk proficiency.” The New York Times
If you think you’ve heard what a ukulele can do, think again. Over the past 15 years, Jake Shimabukuro has challenged and changed all notions of what was possible with a ukulele. Often referred to as the Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee and Michael Jordan of his craft, Jake takes the ukulele where no one has taken it before creating awe inspiring music that ranges from jazz, blues and rock to bluegrass, classical and folk. Performing around the world with an out-of-the-box blend of stunning virtuosity and deep musicality, Jake is an adventurer on a mission to connect and inspire. Whether one-on-one or in front of thousands, Jake shares a deep emotional connection with the listener that is open, magical and transcendent.
The innovation in his style is a combination of rhythmic strumming, classical-style finger-picking and fretboard tapping,” notes The New York Times. “Most people just strum the ukulele, but I started playing melodies, and a new world opened up,” says Shimabukuro, “I got it to sing.” Shimabukuro first came to the world’s attention with his deeply beautiful and original take on George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in a viral video that dominated YouTube in 2005.” As soon as music fans got a listen to Shimabukuro’s virtuosic approach to the ukulele, they were hooked. Shimabukuro albums Gently Weeps, Peace Love Ukulele and Grand Ukulele topped the Billboard World Music Charts, and he soon became one of the hottest tickets around, headlining the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House (he even performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II), while making frequent appearances on media outlets like “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”
On his latest album, Trio, the acclaimed musician begins a bold and exciting new chapter in his already remarkable career.Guiding the process was producer R.S. Field (Steve Earle, Webb Wilder), whose relationship with Shimabukuro began with 2016’s Nashville Sessions and continued with 2018’s The Greatest Day. Recorded with bassist Nolan Verner and guitarist Dave Preston, with many of the songs composed spontaneously in the studio, Trio achieves the sonic alchemy the three musicians achieve on stage. “This record really captures our collective spirit, and I can’t wait to get out there and play these songs live.”