Spirit of Aloha | Articles | Music | March/April 2003

Music
By Ozzie Kotani

Master Strummer

In Sunday Morning, Jake Shimabukuro proves the versatility of the 'ukulele as a lead instrument

I first heard whisperings about Jake Shimabukuro and his 'ukulele-playing when he was doing gigs at a small coffee shop in Kapahulu: "Hey, you gotta check out this guy Jake! He's really good!" That seems like ages ago. Since then, Jake has gone on to become an outstanding performer and one of Hawai'i's premier recording artists. With his new solo CD, Sunday Morning, along with more releases planned for the prestigious Epic Records International label, his popularity is on its way to expanding way beyond Hawai'i's shores.

The extensive range of Jake's repertoire and his remarkable versatility make Sunday Morning a showcase of the 'ukulele as a lead instrument. Jake shows himself to be an outstanding technician, with exceptional control and diverse strumming methods and patterns. The CD includes five original Shimabukuro compositions, among which "Toastmaker's Revenge" rocks and "Let's Dance" demonstrates his impressive flamenco techniques.

The CD also includes two solo cuts that prove the 'ukulele's ability to stand alone-"Close to You," made popular by the Carpenters, and Nicolo Paganini's "Selections from Caprice No. 24," displaying Jake's exquisitely clean and fast picking. "It's the most difficult piece I have recorded to date," Jake declares. "I still freak when I have to perform it live." The album closes with a live recording of "Crazy G"-Jake's signature song-in which you can hear the audience encouraging him to play faster and faster.

This album has received enthusiastic reviews throughout the Islands. Raves KINE-FM radio personality Frank B. Shaner: "This young man has burst onto the entertainment scene with a highly charged instrumental work. This new CD brings you up close and personal with Jake; his fast-moving, jumping fingers are dazzling."

Listing influences ranging from Sinatra to Santana, Ella to Van Halen, Bela Fleck and the Flectones to Beethoven, Jake says, "I enjoy playing all genres of music and I especially like fusing various styles together." Don't be surprised if one day soon we see this remarkable entertainer on MTV or VH-1, or in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine.

Sunday Morning by Jake Shimabukuro; Epic Records International, Four Strings Productions; executive producer Sony Music Japan International; producer Dr. Trey; 2002.

Hawaiian 105 KINE is the main source of information
for this column.

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