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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 is amazing. We had heard him on NPR and that is how we learned about him. We then sought him on line and after visiting his website and watching him on youtube we got the tickets. Every minute of the concert was a joy. He is very talented, communicates perfectly with the audience and comes through as such a genuine, kind and great human being. What an evening!!!!!
great show, never knew uke could sound so amazing. Jake is very talented. Wouldnlike to see him perform again.
What a performance! The best ever! This man has TALENT! LOVED being in the audience and seeing him perform with his magic fingers on the ukelele.
Jake Shimabukuro leaves you shaking your head. It is just so amazing that he can make all that music come out of a ukulele. His energy is so positive and he just seems so happy all the time he is on stage. Fun fun event!
As with all the other reviews, I have nothing bad to say about this man. He was wonderful. A soloist ukulele player swept me off my feet. He was funny and loud but thoughtful and quiet at the right moments. He played moving songs which some may think would aid him but played by any other ukuleleist and it would have sounded flat. He evoked emotion and warmth. Worth seeing.
Jake did a wonderful concert. Engaged with the audience. Fun stories and a true and dedicated artist.
His exhuberance is infectious! You can't help but be uplifted!
The Jake Shimabukuro concert was sold out and the Aladin Theater has very limited parking, arriving half an hour before door opening let me find a place to park within reasonable walking. The wait was worth it; great music, lively performance, good audience/performer interaction... and did I mention great music? I'm a ukulele player myself and was fascinated by Jake's style of playing and his ability to reach the audience and take them along with him as he demonstrated just what an ukulele can do. If Jake appears near you, buy your tickets early and be prepared for a wonderful show.
Fablulous - if his great music doesnt get to you his smile will! Great music and a great time.
Jake was very entertaining, introducing each song with a bit of back ground info. The wonderful variety of music he played was great. Can't wait to hear him live again!
The Island boy who was taught the traditional three chords of the Ukulele steps beyond the norm. At some point, he found that he could play anything on that four stringed instrument. His music is still growing. We heard Lullabies, Rock, and yes, even Bluegrass. Growing up on Oahu, Jake took his ukulele everywhere with him. At an early age, his mom taught him the three standard chords of which 90% Hawaiian songs are modeled. At some point in his path, he started playing things other than the standard melodies, and must have been pleased. My family was skeptical when I told them we were going to a Ukulele concert. They thought they would be lulled to sleep by soft Island ditties. Jake Rocked the House ! I didn't tell my teenage sons Bohemian Rhapsody might be performed...watching their faces during that part of the performance was my favorite part.
If you like the ukulele you have to go see Jake. He's ridiculously good at that thing.
The music went from very good to amazing... getting in high gear by midway through the concert. Jake's positive energy and musicality were present in every song. He is nothing short of a virtuoso and it was very enjoyable to witness. If you hear some of his material on youtube you will have some idea, but to be present to watch him live is really another thing altogether. Add in the obvious joy he gets from playing, his showmanship (very underplayed but adding to the atmosphere), and the energy he seems to take from the crowd as the concert progresses, and you've just got a very fun show.
Jake Shimabukuro delivers the most amazing concert you can imagine. Never have I seen such passion in anyone on stage. This was truly an amazing performance and one that will stick with you for years to come.
You do not have to have an interest in Hawaiian musicians or ukulele music to totally enjoy this personable young man and his music. His playing is electrifying and most of the time you can't believe that you are hearing only one instrument. Even though all of his compositions are instrumentals, the explanations and stories that he tells about each piece transports the audience to such places as Japan for the Cherry Blossom festival, or World War II to be with the 442nd. Don't miss a moment of his concerts!
Jake is an amazing entertainer who loves to take the ukulele to the limits and back. This particular event at the Birchmere was especially fun since there was a pre-show jamming session for those who brought their ukulele. They played holiday music since it was the season.
In all my years of concert attendance, Jake is easily the top live show! His manner and style are such a teriffic complement to his unbelieveable skills on the Ukulele. As I'm told my seat selection comments won't fit (lame), I'll say here that it pays to get in line early so you get an early entry into the concert hall and can grab a good table.
I was not exactly sure what to expect. I had heard some of his music before and liked it - but was a little skeptical of an entire concert of solo ukulele music. Well I was not just surprised - I was amazed and Could not believe how full a ukulele could sound. Just as surprising was the different styles he could play. Overall it was a great concert and I will definely see him next time he comes to my area!
Great show. Food was great and service worked around the show to not impede.
Jake can make sounds come out of the ukulele that no one else can. One minute it sounds like he is playing jazz guitar, another it sounds like Flamenco or Japanese koto. But he is more than a virtuoso, he is a master showman. He has endless energy and enthusiasm, and he knows how to use it to engage an audience. I especially enjoyed the way he set up his own compositions, telling us what inspired him to write them.
