No more results on this page
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.
The Birchmere is a cool place to see a concert anyway, but seeing Jake there was so incredible. He is so good that we just sat there stunned. He is also funny and personable, it felt like we got to know him. The food at the Birchmere is delicious.
Jake is such a soft spoken, unassuming, humble man. His talent as a musician is legendary. You will be astounded at how fast and furious his fingers fly on the 'ukulele. He can make that little Koa box rock your world or soothe your soul with a soft, gentle caress.
This was my first Jame Shimabukuro concert and it was awesome. I've always listened to his CDs but being able to see him live, hear the background stories behind the songs he wrote and the songs he plays, was incredible! You wouldn't think that a concert of just one little ukulele could hold but it was AWESOME!!! I also loved the small venue of Birchmere, it was comfortable, the food was great and the atmosphere just cozy. THANKS JAKE!!
Jake puts on an extremely entertaining show. The range of sounds and styles he produces from that one instrument is awesome. I never imagined I'd hear "flamenco" and "ukelele" in the same sentence, let alone actually hear it done.
My back rested against the chair back until he started to play. Then I was at the edge of my seat for the entire concert. Variety of music genre was outstanding! This was my first time to hear Jake. I will be buying his new cd when it comes out in January and watch for concerts in the future. Don't let ukelele keep you from listening. If you have to, think of it as a "little guitar."
A great show. Unbelievable that this much sound came from a ukulele. Jake Shimabukuro knows his neck as well as anyone I have seen. Virtuoso and maestro are understatements. A sample of his power and electricity can be seen on the Youtube video of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". He plays a variety of styles seamlessly.
Jake Shimabukuro is an AMAZING performer, and this concert was so good, it is hard to believe he is even human!! No matter what style or genre of music he plays, his musicianship is outstanding. And to top it off, he is a really cool, humble, and sweet guy. He puts his godlike talents and friendly personality into an amazing show, period.
If you're a fan of real musicians (not just bubblegum pop stars) and you don't know who Jake Shimabukuro is - you really owe it to yourself to check him out next time he's in town. You will be blown away by his amazing talent, his genuine connection with the audience and his overall likeable charm/personality. Don't be fooled by the fact that he plays a ukulele. He is a master of his instrument of choice and could easily make a fan out of any true music lover. Peace, Love and Ukulele!
Jake Shimabukuro is an amazing musician. He is genuine, and his explanations of how he came up with the songs were touching! From soft and tender to fast and exhilarating, his ukelele playing was truly a memorable experience.
Jake is one of the most talented musicians playing today. Its amazing that such a diverse range of music come from just four strings. It a magic act and slight of hand. More than that Jake is humble and cares about his audience. He makes you feel like your in his living room and he want to entertain just you. I have seen him twice and each performance was excellent and different. Every chance I have to see him, count me in. Do your self and a friend a favor and buy two tickets and enjoy a really fine concert.
Jake was awesome of course. his playing was impeccable and his stories were really memorable. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was maybe a collaboration and I wwish they would have let him sign autographs after the show but they booked his VIP meet and great right after the show. The should have given him an hour or so with the regular fans.I was disappointed because I brought my uke all the way from Texas and then I couldn't even get it signed.
At times, if you closed your eyes you would have sworn there were 3 performers and none of them was playing an ukelele. The entire show was just Jake and one ukelele. I enjoyed the way he introduced each song, often with a story. I felt that I really got to know Jake along with his music. If he comes to your town, GO !!!!!
It's rare to see anyone performing solely on the ukulele. Dabbling a bit myself, I naturally had to see Jake. Mesmerizing! He is truly in a class by himself. Once you see him play, hear his tales and journeys (Jake is a great storyteller and there is a story behind every song), you will understand the magic of his performance and the swift manner in which he is rising to the top of the entertainment world. See him while you can still get tickets and at intimate venues. Turns out my nephew took lessons from Jake years ago in Honolulu. Had he stayed with it, Tate might have been on the stage, too!
What a incredibly gifted musician, story teller and performer. Jake's use of his ukulele shows what can be done with music. With just two octaves and four strings Jake shows what it is like to think beyond Tiny Tim and Don Ho. He does Tango, Classical Spanish guitar style, jazz, Van Halen-like rock tricks - this guy does it all and more. And then there is the really romantic quiet stuff, what with the ukulele making it sound islandish. Each song introduced with its story - making it quite intimate of a concert. Yep - definitely worth driving over 100 miles to see him for just the one day, and then have to drive back - in the rain both ways.
Jake's talent is unbelieveable as his fingers dance across the strings. If you close your eyes while he plays, you'd never guess all those sounds were coming from just one instrument, and that the instrument had only four strings. As always, he related to the audience very well. He typically tells the backstory behind each of his songs, which allows you to understand more of the nuances of the music. He is amazingly talented, humble, humorous and entertaining. I was worth the 4 hour drive.
Jake Shimabukuro is a truly inspiring artist and purely talented musician. Not only are his skills on the ukelele mind-boggling, but his music composition is incomparable. He's a wonderful storyteller through his words and his uke and you are moved by the incredible sounds created. His passion for his culture is evident while he prefaces his songs and it is rich and entertaining. His graciousness and warm personality are very much a part of his Hawaiian/Japanese culture and shines vibrantly through his music and words. Will support him throughout his career! The MC person that was presenting for the Japanese Friendship Gardens and introduced Jake was off her mark. She was pronouncing his name incorrectly and was having the crowd pronounce it INCORRECTLY with her in unison. It seemed cheap and unprofessional. However, Jake came out and used some high-brow humor... "Wow... just think... all these years, I've been pronouncing my name incorrectly." Brilliant.
This is first time to join Jake's concert. He is incredible.
Incredible performance, really fun concert, played for about two hours, the range was wow, I do not how he does it
I really wanted to see his concert for a long time! Finally I made it and it was so great! :-)
Awesome concert. He plays the ukulele in ways you would never imagine. He is a visionary and any who has a chance to experience his music in person is truly blessed with one of gods special talents.
