Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukurois a ukulele virtuoso and composer known for his fast and complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco. Shimabukuro has written numerous original compositions, including the entire soundtracks to two Japanese films, Hula Girlsand the Japanese remake of Sideways...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth3 November 1976
CityHonolulu, HI
CountryUnited States of America
You know, the ukulele itself is not a very loud instrument, all right? And, you know, compared to like a trumpet, right? A trumpet is really loud.
When I was growing up, there was no such thing as a touring ukulele player.
One of the biggest things that happened for me was YouTube.
Jazz is an art that takes decades to appreciate and understand.
I think everyone should feel like they can make music, they can create music.
You get older, you start meeting girls, you want to impress them. And if you happen to know an instrument, what you do is turn on the radio and try to figure out how to play popular songs.
Bruce Lee loved all different styles of martial arts. He believed that you shouldn't limit yourself to one style, because martial arts is just another form of human expression.
I love the fact that people don't see the ukulele as a serious instrument. A lot of people see it as more of a toy, and I love that because it just proves that people aren't intimidated by the instrument. They aren't afraid to pick it up.
When you play guitar and strum, you're using biceps and triceps to move up and down. I realized you could just turn your wrist, your forearm, using smaller muscles in your arm that are much more efficient and much quicker.
There's something about the ukulele that just makes you smile. It makes you let your guard down. It brings out the child in all of us.
If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place.