The Adventure Life Interview: Ukulele Hero Jake Shimabukuro

Depending on who’s doing the talking and how deep their musical reference points go, Jake Shimabukuro is described as either “the Jimi Hendrix of ukulele” or “the Eddie Van Halen of ukulele”. It’s a simple way to wrap your head around the magic that transpires between Shimabukuro and this small, four-string instrument–and a lot stronger sales pitch than “guy alone on stage with ukulele”. Flattering and true as references to guitar legends might be, it doesn’t do Jake justice.

It isn’t just that he shreds with lightning speed (though he does). It’s that he’s taken an instrument mostly known for happy, simple little melodies (Don Ho, anyone?) and blown open the doors of our perception of it by showing a range of sounds and emotion that seem to defy a source with just four strings and two octaves. In Shimabukuro’s hands, the uke is so lyrical and expressive, it’s like the brother just arrived from another planet with a sound completely new to human ears. And it’s not like he’s hitting limits: After 29 years (he’s 33), he says he’s only begun to tap its potential.

Does all this talk about a ukulele virtuoso sound vaguely familiar? It might–Shimabukuro’s version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” has been viewed on YouTube more than 4,000,000 times. His covers pull you in with their familiarity (listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” below), but it’s his own music that conveys the emotional depth of the instrument. For a hint of that, watch “Jake Shows the Ukulele’s Range”.

If you’re located anywhere near Southern California, listen up: Shimabukuro is playing at the California Surf Festival tonight, Friday, November 20, in Oceanside. Tickets are $35, the show’s at 7:30, the show benefits the California Surf Museum. Go here for tickies.

The Adventure Life–well, me–sat down for a conversation with Jake on Thursday, November 19, before a show in San Diego. In the midst of an extended tour away from his native Hawaii–he was recently traveling and performing with Jimmy Buffet on the East Coast–Shimabukuro is as soft-spoken, open, and engaging as he is on stage. His hands belong on a much larger man, but his fingers are long, slender, lean–they’re suffused with a power that you don’t catch when see him on stage or in videos. Take a look. Better yet, take a listen.

Photo by Ryota Mori.

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