Jake Shimabukuro tour dates for 2009

National Public Radio Morning Edition, September 28, 2006 .. Think the ukulele is just a cheap, plastic toy to be played under a palm tree? One listen to Jake Shimabukuro and you'll change your mind. The Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso strums and plucks a variety of sounds out of the tiny instrument, from Ave Maria to While My Guitar Gently Weeps. For the full story and to hear Jake's interview and music click here

Jake's Custom Kamaka Tenor Ukulele

"To say Shimabukuro plays the ukulele is like saying Tiger Woods plays a little golf." - Joe O'Gara, Nuvo Newsweekly (Indianapolis, IN)

"Jake's show was an absolutely jaw-dropping instrumental performance... something you'll talk about for years." - Matt Blackett, Frets Magazine

Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele virtuoso who has reinvented the instrument, has built up a huge following in his native Hawaii, as well as Japan, and is now conquering hearts and musical minds all over the U.S. His performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is an internet-performance legend (Google it!), a reputation which he added to with his recent performance on NBC-TV's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

Jake's music is, as Duke Ellington would have put it, "beyond category." His recent gigs range from touring with Jimmy Buffett, Bela Fleck, and his own band to recording with Ziggy Marley and performing the National Anthem at a Rockets-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.

Recent reviews of Jake's music are enthusiastic, and very strong:

"Shimabukuro brings to mind string wizards in the class of jazz greats Pat Metheny, George Benson, and John Scofield." - Jeff Tamarkin, Editor, Global Rhythm

"Ever hear a ukulele scream and cry? Shimabukuro, a 29-year-old virtuoso on the instrument, plays with the passion of a blues player and the adventurous spirit of Larry Carlton. Throw in some effects and you've got a hero waiting to be discovered." - Bob Gulla, Guitar One

"His chords are as inventive as his solos are blazing." - R.J. Klimpert, Vintage Guitar

"[Jake's] crazy flipping fingers provided one show-stopping moment after another... the 29-year-old is advancing the ukulele the way Bela Fleck has advanced the banjo and Chris Thile is advancing the mandolin." - Dave Lindquist, The Indianpolis Star

"Shimabukuro takes his instrument out of the traditional Don Ho gentle-pluck realm and into an explosive multi-genre landscape... it's also clear that Shimabukuro is equally interested in strong melodies and harmonies, and stylistic variety." - Jonathan Widran, AllMusic.com