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Jake Shimabukuro on Tour
In a way, it’s Hawaiian ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro’s live performances that first brought him international attention — in 2006, Shimabukuro’s success skyrocketed after a video of him playing The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” became one of YouTube’s first massively viral videos. Ever since, he’s shared his joy of music with audiences all over the world, playing songs that range from jazz and classical to rock and bluegrass. Before he blew up, Shimabukuro was signed to a label in Japan and toured the country extensively. After starting his own label and playing more U.S. shows, he’s appeared on a number of talk shows with hosts like Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Carson Daly. Now, Shimabukuro tours the world frequently, often leading a versatile string trio that includes guitar and bass, though he’s also been known to groove in a quartet with drums, keys and bass. Jake Shimabukuro’s current tour takes him across the U.S. as he continues to find new ways to interact with the styles that have made him the musician he is today.
Jake Shimabukuro in Concert
Jake Shimabukuro is a Hawaiian-born, fifth-generation Japanese American ukulele player who has become known as a virtuoso musician that can jam in almost any style. Born in 1976 in Honolulu, Shimabukuro received a ukulele from his mother, a musician herself, at age four. He studied with her for years, eventually entering the Roy Sakuma Studio and taking lessons from Tami Akiyami. In the 1990s, Shimabukuro would become a member of the trio Pure Heart alongside percussionist Lopaka Colón and guitarist and singer Jon Yamasato. The group’s first album, 1999’s Pure Heart, won four Na Hoku Hanohano awards — basically the Hawaiian Grammys — including Contemporary Album of the Year, Most Promising Artist, Album of the Year and Favorite Entertainment of the Year.
Shimabukuro signed with Epic Records International, a division of Sony Music Japan, in 2002. He toured in Japan and released a number of Japan-only albums. Wanting to share his music with the U.S. as well, Shimabukuro founded Hitchhike Records and soon released 2005’s Dragon, which charted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums. The following year, after his YouTube success, he released Gently Weeps, which peaked at No. 2 on the Top World Music Albums. Shimabukuro has gone on to release numerous high-charting albums.
Set One
Set Two
Encore
Jake Shimabukuro is the most incredible musician. I was riveted. His bass and guitar players add a lot to his performance, but Jake is the one with the charisma and showmanship. Unfortunately, the hard white little chairs at Humphrey's always hurt my back and sometimes I remember the chairs more than the performance.
This is our 3rd time at Jake's concerts. He never ceases to amaze! He's energetic, an amazing musician, and has a great stage presence. Can't believe the sounds he gets from the ukulele. Plan to see him again any time he's in our area. Love him.
Jake is a fantastic musician. He produced amazing sounds from his electric ukulele. He was personable and friendly. It was a great show.
A great show of pure talent. Never thought a uke could sound so good
He was incredible live, a real showman! and generous with the performance and meeting everyone at the front of the theater for photos and autographs. Really can't recommend him enough.
Excellent! A definite must see! Couldn't believe that we got to meet him before the show! 10 out of 10 !
Both concert and venue were great, not a bad seat in the place
This was the second time we have seen Jake and I'm so impressed by his playing abality. He played more this time and it was 'more the merrier' along with him sharing stories of his writung the songs.
He was just amazing. I'm so lucky to have experienced his music. I'm a fan and can't wait to see him again.
Jake Shimabukuro is a 1 of a kind musician. Talented and passionate about his music. Accompanied by a cello and electric bass, and impressively broad sampling of music was performed. Then he did Meet and Greet with the audience.
This show was amazing. The sound Jake gets from the instrument is unbelievable. I would recommend this show to anyone who loves great music.
Beautiful, talented, connected. What a wonderful performer.
I don't know how he can get so much sound and so much variety in sound from one small instrument with only 4 strings. He is so talented, so personable, and he plays for almost 2 hours straight - amazing energy! Beautiful music in a variety of genres. It's worth it to sit up close, at a bit of an angle, to see how he actually uses his fingers and hands in their entirety. An awesome show!
I came to hear Jake play the ukulele. Unfortunately he added a base player and proceeded to play a new album that he and base player created in a week in Nashville. I understand the excitement of a new album but only play one or two songs then play what we came to hear. Pure ukulele music without added base. Very disappointed.
In addition to being perhaps the most innovative and talented ukulele player that ever lived, Jake is the consumate performer who is full of energy, passion, positivity, and creativity. He is also a goof who has a lot of fun while playing his music and entertaining his audience. Nolan is extremely accomplished on bass - the two of them feed off one another and bring the music to a whole new dimension. After seeing the two of them last Wednesday, I made a second trip to see them on Saturday night. Jake stays after the show to do a meet-and-greet that includes signing autographs and taking photos with those who stick around. All in all, his shows are an enchanting experience.
This is my second time seeing Jake and he didn't disappoint! What he does on the uke is amazing! The most gracious performer as well! He even stayed after the show to meet his fans to sign autographs and take pictures!
Unbelievably talented! Jake's fingers were a blur at times. His music filled the room and it felt like there had to be several instruments playing-- but it was all Jake weaving the intricate and complex sounds.
Joie de vivre: a feeling of happiness or excitement about life. That about sums up the show...or at least its effect! His love of music, the instrument and life itself just comes shining through. And his mastery of the ukulele is insane. The music flows like water, and his hands move so fast at times they are a blur. My genre is alt rock so this wasn't my normal fare by any shot; I went to this event because a friend wanted to see him and I just wanted her to have someone to go with. And because I love music enough to be genre-curious! But by the end of the first song I was a fan, and by the end of the show I was hugely appreciative of his tremendous talent and awesome personality. Don't hesitate if you have a chance to check him out!
Not only is he a huge talent, he was just a pleasure to watch. You could feel the JOY flow from him and his ukulele. So much fun to see such an amazing musician...and what a nice nice guy!
The show was awesome, and the Buckhead Theater was a great treat too... Being a drummer, I don't go to many shows where there is not a percussionist, but Jake could really bring it, and made it very lively. !! It's had been a while since returning to the BH Theater, it looked real nice, and sounded awesome. Drinks were a bit pricey ... but it is Buckhead... I did the math in advance, it was cheaper to Uber there, than to bother with paying for parking.
