How can anyone not love Jake Shimabukuro?
I wrote about Taimane Gardner yesterday so I'm continuing the local talent and ukulele theme just for another day. There are so many things that I could say about Jake Shimabukuro, but first, here's a taste from one of my favorite Youtube channels, Hi*Sessions:
I also posted his version of “Kawika” a few weeks ago.
I've known about Jake for years–of course! How can you be from Hawaii and not know about Jake! He's not only a virtuosic ukulele player, but he has a loyal mainland following. This past spring we discovered that he was performing at a concert venue that we love, the Flying Monkey up in Plymouth, NH. Plymouth isn't super close to where we live, but I was intrigued. Jake Shimabukuro? Playing a small venue in a northern college town? Really? So we grabbed tickets and zipped up there.
I was amazed–a sold out performance! The crowd was wild for Jake's blend of Hawaiian and contemporary ukulele, and there was a mix of old, young, and families. After the performance, Jake spent time in the lobby chatting with fans. It almost felt as if Jake were visiting friends. And I think in a manner of speaking, he was, because he returned in July to another small New Hampshire venue, although I missed that one because of a Panic! at the Disco and Hayley Kiyoko concert (more on that in a future post!).
At the end of the concert he invited the audience to pull out their phones (really? yes!) in order to find the lyrics to Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody” (my daughter said indignantly, “I don't need to look that up!”) and sing along to his rendition, which we all did, loudly!
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