Jake Shimabukuro Grand Ukulele 2014 (Hitchhike Records) "Jake Is

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Jake Shimabukuro Grand Ukulele 2014 (Hitchhike Records) Jake Shimabukuro Grand Ukulele 2014 (Hitchhike Records) "Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can't see anybody else catching up with." - Eddie Vedder In his young career, ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro has already redefined a heretofore under-the-radar instrument, been declared a musical “hero” by Rolling Stone, won accolades from the disparate likes of Eddie Vedder, Perez Hilton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wowed audiences on TV (Jimmy Kimmel, Conan), earned comparisons to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and even played in front of the Queen of England. With his new record Grand Ukulele, Shimabukuro’s star may burn even brighter. An ambitious follow-up to 2011’s Peace, Love, Ukulele (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Charts), the Hawaiian musician’s new record finds him collaborating with legendary producer/engineer Alan Parsons, best known for his work on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Beatles’ Abbey Road and his own highly successful solo project. “It was very organic how it happened,” says Shimabukuro (she-ma-boo-koo-row). “He attended a couple of my shows near where he lives in Santa Barbara and the concert promoter put us in touch. I was stunned. I mean, THE Alan Parsons? We ended up having dinner before the show and he casually mentioned the idea of possibly working together on a project. It was a priceless opportunity I didn’t want to pass up – he’s a genius.” Parsons ended up helping Shimabukuro expand his sound, bringing in a 29-piece orchestra and a big-name rhythm section, including drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto), session superstar bassist Randy Tico and Kip Winger (Winger, Alice Cooper), who helped with the orchestration. “The best thing was that, even with all those people, we recorded everything live with no overdubs,” says Shimabukuro. “It was great, tracking live with an orchestra and a rhythm section. We picked up on each other’s subtle emotional cues – you could feel everyone breathing together. It was like the old days of recording – when everyone tracked together – there’s a certain magic that happens.” While still highlighting Shimabukuro’s musical dexterity on the uke, Grand Ukulele also shows off new sides to the musician, thanks to his new-found collaborators. That said, it’s still Jake’s show. “Alan wanted me to arrange each song as if I were performing it solo, then add the band around it,” he says. Highlights from the album include originals like “Island Fever Blues”, a beautiful and traditional Hawaiian song titled “Akaka Falls” and a unique track called “Missing Three,” performed with only three strings - an entire song created during a day when Jake was missing the third string on his instrument. Given that Shimabukuro first won acclaim for a YouTube video of him covering George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” it’s no surprise that Grand Ukulele features a number of wonderful reinterpretations, including Sting’s “Fields of Gold” (with Parsons cameo-ing on keyboards) and, most prominently, Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” a seemingly ubiquitous song given new life on the four-string. “That one is fun to play,” says Shimabukuro. “I visit schools in Hawaii because I love sharing my passion with kids, but I don’t necessarily play all original pieces, because the kids may not recognize them. So when I cover a popular tune like ‘Rolling In The Deep,’ they really respond!” This fall Jake will embark on a 30-plus city tour, performing solo for the most part. “Someday I’d love to tour with a full orchestra, but these solo shows will be fun, especially since we arranged them so the new songs can stand on their own,” he says. For Shimabukuro, Grand Ukulele feels like the next step in a career that really started at the age of 4 when he first picked up the instrument, through a successful local career in Hawaii and his first brush with fame on YouTube. Now, he’s a respected, popular musician looking to make a lasting musical mark. “I feel really connected to this record,” he says. “It was an honor to work with Alan and all those great musicians. It really felt like old friends coming together - there was so much positive energy surrounding the project – it was a magical experience that I’ll never forget.” .
Recommended publications
  • PERFORMED IDENTITIES: HEAVY METAL MUSICIANS BETWEEN 1984 and 1991 Bradley C. Klypchak a Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate
    PERFORMED IDENTITIES: HEAVY METAL MUSICIANS BETWEEN 1984 AND 1991 Bradley C. Klypchak A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May 2007 Committee: Dr. Jeffrey A. Brown, Advisor Dr. John Makay Graduate Faculty Representative Dr. Ron E. Shields Dr. Don McQuarie © 2007 Bradley C. Klypchak All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Jeffrey A. Brown, Advisor Between 1984 and 1991, heavy metal became one of the most publicly popular and commercially successful rock music subgenres. The focus of this dissertation is to explore the following research questions: How did the subculture of heavy metal music between 1984 and 1991 evolve and what meanings can be derived from this ongoing process? How did the contextual circumstances surrounding heavy metal music during this period impact the performative choices exhibited by artists, and from a position of retrospection, what lasting significance does this particular era of heavy metal merit today? A textual analysis of metal- related materials fostered the development of themes relating to the selective choices made and performances enacted by metal artists. These themes were then considered in terms of gender, sexuality, race, and age constructions as well as the ongoing negotiations of the metal artist within multiple performative realms. Occurring at the juncture of art and commerce, heavy metal music is a purposeful construction. Metal musicians made performative choices for serving particular aims, be it fame, wealth, or art. These same individuals worked within a greater system of influence. Metal bands were the contracted employees of record labels whose own corporate aims needed to be recognized.
    [Show full text]
  • Firebird, Winger & Watts
    FIREBIRD, WINGER & WATTS A E G I S CLASSICAL SERIES S C I E N C E S FOUNDATION EST. 2013 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, AT 7 PM | FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 & 16, AT 8 PM NASHVILLE SYMPHONY GIANCARLO GUERRERO, conductor THANK YOU TO ANDRÉ WATTS, piano OUR PARTNER CLAUDE DEBUSSY Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un faune SERIES PRESENTING PARTNER [Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun] EDWARD MACDOWELL Concerto No. 2 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 23 I. Larghetto calmato II. Presto giocoso III. Largo - Molto allegro INTERMISSION KIP WINGER Conversations with Nijinsky Chaconne de feu Waltz Solitaire Souvenir Noir L’Immortal IGOR STRAVINSKY Suite from The Firebird (1919 revision) I. Introduction and Dance of the Firebird II. Dance of the Princesses III. Infernal Dance of King Kastchei IV. Berceuse A E G I S V. Finale S C I E N C E S FOUNDATION EST. 2013 INCONCERT 21 TONIGHT’S CONCERT AT A GLANCE CLAUDE DEBUSSY Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun • Inspired by French writer Stéphane Mallarmé’s 1876 poem, Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun is a single-movement piece in which Debussy evokes the source material through lush woodwind colors. The iconic flute theme gently sets the scene for an impressionistic musical tableau of a faun playing the panpipes in the woods. The metric ambiguity of the piece, along with sparing use of brass and percussion, adds to the distinctive feel. • The composer’s musical interpretation pleased Mallarmé, who praised the work, saying, “The music prolongs the emotion of the poem and fixes the scene more vividly than colors could have done.” EDWARD MACDOWELL Piano Concerto No.
    [Show full text]
  • EDUCATION GUIDE History and Improvisation: Making American Music “We Play the Same Songs but the Solos Are Different Every Night
    EDUCATION GUIDE History and Improvisation: Making American Music “We play the same songs but the solos are different every night. The form is the same, but the improvisations are what is really what makes that music what it is…Jazz is about being creative, all the time.” – Scotty Barnhart LESSON OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will view the MUSIC episode from the PBS series Craft in America. The episode features the skilled craftwork required to make ukuleles, trumpets, banjos, guitars, and timpani mallets. Students will hear musicians playing each of the instruments. Students will also hear the musicians talk about their personal connection to their instruments. Additionally, the program illustrates how a study of American music is a study of American history. After viewing the episode, students will investigate connections between musicians and their instruments and between American music and American history. The studio portion of the lesson is designed around the idea of creating a maker space in which students experiment with and invent prototype instruments. Instructions are also included for a basic banjo made from a sturdy cardboard box. Note: While this lesson can take place completely within the art department, it is an ideal opportunity to work with music teachers, history teachers, technical education teachers, and physics teachers (for a related study of acoustics.) Grade Level: 9-12 Estimated Time: Six to eight 45-minute class periods of discussion, research, design Craft In America Theme/Episode: MUSIC Background Information MUSIC focuses on finely crafted handmade instruments and the world-renowned artists who play them, demonstrating the perfect blend of form and function.
    [Show full text]
  • I 100 Migliori Dischi Glam Metal
    I TIFONI 5 www.tsunamiedizioni.com Web Tsunami Facebook Copyright © 2012 A.SE.FI. Editoriale Srl Tsunami Edizioni è un marchio registrato di proprietà di A.SE.FI. Editoriale Srl Via dell’Aprica, 8 - Milano www.tsunamiedizioni.com - [email protected] Prima edizione, ottobre 2012 - I Tifoni 5 Curatore: Federico Martinelli Progetto copertina: Moreno Lissoni Gra ca interna: Eugenio Monti Stampato in digitale nel mese di ottobre 2012 da Rotomail Italia S.p.A ISBN: 978-88-96131-46-6 Tutti i diritti riservati. È vietata la riproduzione, anche parziale, in qualsiasi formato, senza l’autorizzazione scritta dell’Editore Sebbenewww.tsunamiedizioni.com sia stato fatto ogni sforzo per rintracciare i titolari dei diritti delle foto pubblicate, ciò non è stato sempre possibile. L’editore rimane a disposizione per essere contattato dagli aventi diritto. i 100 migliori dischi glam metal www.tsunamiedizioni.com INDICE Introduzione ..........................................................................................................9 Aerosmith permanent vacation .......................................................... 14 Alice Cooper Trash .......................................................................................... 16 alleycat scratch deadboys in trash city .................................................... 18 almighty (the) soul destruction ................................................................20 asphalt ballet asphalt ballet .....................................................................22 Babysitters (THE)
    [Show full text]
  • Jake Shimabukuro 9:30 Am & 11 Am
    TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27 2018 9:30 AM & 11 AM JAKE SHIMABUKURO 2018 > 2019 FIELD TRIP SERIES BROADEN THE HORIZONS LEARNING LINKS OF YOUR CLASSROOM. EXPERIENCE THE VIBRANT WORLD OF THE ARTS AT THE McCALLUM! McCALLUM THEATRE EDUCATION PRESENTS JAKE “Music was my passion, SHIMABUKURO but I had no idea that I could TUESDAY make it as a musician.” NOVEMBER 27 2018 > JAKE SHIMABUKURO 9:30 AM & 11 AM Connecting to Curriculum and Students’ Lives! HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY > Hawaii, Japan ARTS > Music, musical instruments EXPANDING THE CONCEPT OF LITERACY What is a “text”? We invite you to consider the performances on McCallum’s Field Trip Series as non-print texts available for study and investigation by your students. Anyone who has shown a filmed version of a play in their classroom, used a website as companion to a textbook, or asked students to do online research already knows that “texts” don’t begin and end with textbooks, novels, and reading packets. They extend to videos, websites, games, plays, concerts, dances, radio programs, and a number of other non-print texts that students and teachers engage with on a regular basis. We know that when we expand our definition of texts to the variety of media that we use in our everyday lives, we broaden the materials and concepts we have at our disposal in the classroom, increase student engagement, and enrich learning experiences. Please consider how utilizing your McCallum performance as a text might align to standards established for reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. How do we help students to use these texts as a way of shaping ideas and understanding the world? Please use this material to help you on this journey.
    [Show full text]
  • Albert Paley As He Creates 13 Original Pieces for Installation on Park Avenue in New York City on June 14
    WXXI-TV/HD | WORLD | CREATE | AM1370 | CLASSICAL 91.5 | WRUR 88.5 | THE LITTLE PROGRAMPUBLIC TELEVISION & PUBLIC RADIO FOR ROCHESTER LISTINGSJUNE 2013 PALEY ON PARK AVENUE: NEW YORK CITY WXXI is pleased to present its first truly multi-media series, Paley on Park Avenue: New York City, which follows world-renowned sculptor ALBERT PALEY as he creates 13 original pieces for installation on Park Avenue in New York City on June 14. WXXI was granted unprecedented access to Paley and his studios to document the creation of these pieces for The Fund for Park Avenue’s Temporary Public Art Collection. The journey is shared in this six-part series exclusively produced for the Web. PALEY ON PARK AVENUE: NEW YORK CITY VIEW ONLINE NOW AT WXXI.org/paleynyc LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT OSCAR WINNER XEROX ROCHESTER D.A. PENNEBAKER INTERNATIONAL COMES TO THE LITTLE, JUNE 14-15 JAZZ FESTIVAL SEE THE LITTLE PAGE >> Special coverage of the fest on AM 1370, Club Venue at the Little Theatre 1, free live music under The Freed Maxick Jazz Tent at the Little, and more. SEE INSIDE >> thank WXXI applauds the extraordinary commitment made by our corporate supporters. YOU Your contributions provide critical support for valued programming that enriches the lives of families across our region. TO LEARN MORE about WXXI sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Alison Zero Jones 585-258-0282 [email protected] DEAR FRIENDS, EXECUTIVE Staff JUNE 2013 No rm Silverstein, President I’m proud to share the news that we’ll VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 Susan Rogers, Executive Vice President and General Manager be producing this summer the 10th WXXI is a public non-commercial Je anne E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ukulele Renaissance JAKE SHIMABUKURO BRINGS a MILD-MANNERED INSTRUMENT CENTER STAGE
    StanFORD LIVE FEATURE THE UKULELE RENAISSANCE JAKE SHIMABUKURO BRINGS A MILD-MANNERED INSTRUMENT CENTER STAGE BY JANICE BERMAN s a teenager, Jake Shimabukuro Shimabukuro playing success. Signed by Sony at a coffeehouse there. Japan to his first recording Abegan a show by smilingly cautioning Shimabukuro’s mother, contract, he composed two Carol, played ukulele too new songs on an electric his audience not to expect too much since and was his first teacher. guitar and plugged in to he wasn’t a professional. It’s a telling Divorced from his father play them on his uke. when Shimabukuro was in Later, feeling as if that was sentiment, partly for what it says about high school, she worked two a little “disrespectful” to the young man’s innate modesty—having jobs, waiting tables at night, the musical voice of his to support Shimabukuro homeland, Shimabukuro played the ukulele since the age of four, and his younger brother, changed his mind. Bruce, who also grew up to “I decided to use my he was already beyond proficient—and be a professional ukulele hands, not electricity, to partly because of the unique virtuoso he player. Since he was very manipulate the sound of young, Shimabukuro had the instrument,” he said in would become. always run home to play the 2012 documentary film his uke after school, but in Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Ukulele popularity comes University’s Department his teens, when his parents’ Four Strings. And with that and goes. From Hawaii, of Music chair Stephen marriage was ending, he decision, his artistry changed.
    [Show full text]
  • Samuel Taylor Coleridge
    TESIS DOCTORAL 2015 LA INFLUENCIA DE LA LITERATURA FANTÁSTICA DECIMONÓNICA EN LENGUA INGLESA EN EL ROCK’N’ROLL: Estudio y análisis de algunas “literary covers” sobre siete autores del siglo XIX POR JESÚS MARÍA MARTÍNEZ NAVAJAS LICENCIADO EN FILOLOGÍA INGLESA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE EDUCACIÓN A DISTANCIA FACULTAD DE FILOLOGÍA – MADRID Departamento de Filologías Extranjeras y sus Lingüísticas Director de la Tesis: Dr. D. Antonio BALLESTEROS GONZÁLEZ 1 - DEPARTAMENTO DE FILOLOGÍAS EXTRANJERAS Y SUS LINGÜISTICAS, FACULTAD DE FILOLOGÍA. - TÍTULO DE LA TESIS: LA INFLUENCIA DE LA LITERATURA FANTÁSTICA DECIMONÓNICA EN LENGUA INGLESA EN EL ROCK’N’ROLL: ESTUDIO Y ANÁLISIS DE ALGUNAS “LITERARY COVERS” SOBRE SIETE AUTORES DEL SIGLO XIX. - AUTOR: JESÚS MARÍA MARTÍNEZ NAVAJAS (LICENCIADO EN FILOLOGÍA INGLESA). - DIRECTOR DE TESIS: DR. D. ANTONIO BALLESTEROS GONZÁLEZ. 2 AGRADECIMIENTOS Este trabajo está dedicado muy especialmente a mis padres Teresa y Jesús, sin cuyo apoyo y respaldo no habría sido posible esta investigación, por darme todo el amor y una educación de libre pensamiento y ser el faro que guía mi desarrollo intelectual y mi existencia. AsImismo, a mis hermanos Pablo, Andrés y Paloma, y a mi compañera Giuliana por su inagotable paciencia y cariño. Gracias, familia. Vaya un agradecimiento muy especial para la Dra. Dª María del Carmen González Landa por la gran ayuda y todo lo que me ha transmitido. También quiero agradecer a Iñaki Osés y la Eguzki Irratia de Pamplona por haberme brindado la oportunidad de difundir mis conocimientos literarios y musicales a través de las ondas radiofónicas. Como no podía ser de otra manera deseo expresar mi agradecimiento al Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Download File
    Brevard Live August 2015 - 1 2 - Brevard Live August 2015 Brevard Live August 2015 - 3 4 - Brevard Live August 2015 Brevard Live August 2015 - 5 6 - Brevard Live August 2015 Contents August 2015 FEATURES LAURA JANE GRACE While at Bonnaroo Matthew Bretz did Columns BMA-WINNERS not just listen to many artists’ perfor- Charles Van Riper The music fans have spoken: FunDecid- mances, he also had the opportunity to 22 Political Satire ed is Brevard’s Entertainer of the Year talk with them. Laura Jame Grace of 2015. Meet the band members of this Against Me was one of his interview Calendars self-proclaimed “tourist band” and find partners. Live Entertainment, out who else went home with a BMA Page 18 25 Concerts, Festivals trophy. Page 12 ROBERT TRUJILLO Outta Space He was the bassist for the Suicidal Ten- 30 by Jared Campbell 80s IN THE PARK dencies, the Infectious Grooves. He This year’s roster features Lita Ford, toured with Ozzie, and played with the Local Download Slaughter, Asia featuring John Payne, Black Label society. Then in 2003 Tru- by Andy Harrington LA Guns, Kip Winger, Firehouse, Bullet 33 jillo joined Metallica and that’s where Local Music Scene Boys, MASS, Autograph, Femme Fatal, he’s been ever since. Nova Rex, Kenny McGee, and more. Page 20 Flori-duh! Page 15 36 by Charles Knight MAKING THE SCENE “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC For the past five years Steagles has been The Dope Doctor “Weird Al” is the biggest-selling comedy offering more than the Best Cheesesteak 38 Luis Delgado, CAP recording artist in history.
    [Show full text]
  • Guest: Jake Shimabukuro Lss 617 (Length: 26:46) First Air Date: 3/12/13
    GUEST: JAKE SHIMABUKURO LSS 617 (LENGTH: 26:46) FIRST AIR DATE: 3/12/13 I guess I’ve always had this vision from the time I was a kid. I would watch rock bands, people like Van Halen, or guitar players like Yngwie Malmsteen. And you’d see these guys, they’re playing their instruments, and they’re like running all across the stage, and jumping into the audience, stage-diving, and just yelling and screaming. And I always thought to myself, Why can’t an ukulele concert be like that? From a young age, he has pushed the boundaries of this tine, four-stringed instrument. Ukulele master, Jake Shimabukuro, next on Long Story Short. Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is Hawaii’s first weekly television program produced and broadcast in high definition. Aloha mai kakou. I’m Leslie Wilcox. In his relatively young career, Jake Shimabukuro has already redefined the ukulele as a musical instrument. His unique blend of traditional Hawaiian music, jazz, classical, funk, and rock has captivated audiences worldwide. He’s performed on national television programs like Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and even for Queen Elizabeth II of England. His star burns brighter than ever with sold out concerts and a number one album. But how did the humble boy from Kaimuki become an international sensation? Well, tell me about your family. Both my parents, they’re really great people. I mean, they were excellent role models, I think, for both, my -- You described both of them as easygoing, carefree.
    [Show full text]
  • “Ukulele Play Date” W/Jake Shimabukuro Play4m.E
    PO Box 179411, Honolulu HI 96817 www.autismsocietyofhawaii.org * (808) 368-1191 * [email protected] AUTISM SOCIETY OF HAWAII PRESENTS: “Ukulele Play Date” w/Jake Shimabukuro Play4M.E. (M.usic E.ducation) Center Ala Moana Center - Ewa Wing, Street level, mauka [near McDonalds]) Honolulu, HI 96814 August 20th, 2017 (Sunday) 6:00pm-8:00pm • Music is a catalyst for relaxation and when played in conjunction with a person’s thoughts or movements, music can help improve multiple facets of a person’s life. It also stimulates brain waves and when it is exercised, it becomes sharper, stronger and more useful. Music directly affects brain waves, as stronger and faster rhythms make people more alert, while slower music can help people meditate and relax. This healthy calming and focusing effect helps people develop a positive mind state, while also reducing stress, which lowers blood pressure. • Jake Shimabukuro is a Japanese-American ukulelist (ukulele player) and composer born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His music combines elements of jazz, blues, rock, classical, and traditional Hawaiian music. Shimabukuro has performed and collaborated with a long list of artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Bette Midler, Jack Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley, and Bela Fleck. His music career started in 1997 when his first band, Pure Heart, released their first album, self-entitled Pure Heart. Today, as a husband and father of two, Shimabukuro loves to share his passion for music with children, while encouraging them to find their passion and live a drug-free lifestyle. • Each child will have an individual ukulele to practice on in a worry free environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Jake Shimabukuro Rebirth Brass Brand
    WELLS FARGO JAZZ JAKE SHIMABUKURO | REBIRTH BRASS BAND JAKE SHIMABUKURO College of Charleston Cistern Yard June 1 and 2 at 9:00pm PRESENTED BY WELLS FARGO JAKE SHIMABUKURO (ukulele) is on a mission to take the ukulele places it’s never been. Armed with lightning- fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, his repertoire spans jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock—turning the ukulele, as he sees it, into an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” The New York Times recently noted that “the innovation in his style stems from an embrace of restrictions: the ukulele has only four strings and a limited range. He compensates with an adaptable combination of rhythmic strumming, classical-style finger-picking and fretboard tapping.” Two of his two biggest influences weren’t musicians. He credits Bruce Lee and Bill Cosby for creating the foundation of his art. “Bruce Lee’s philosophy on martial arts was that it was simply a form of human expression,” he says. “And he didn’t believe in sticking to one ‘style.’ And Bill Cosby brought joy to millions with his stories. He connects with an audience like no other.” Shimabukuro began his music career in earnest performing at local Honolulu venues and coffee shops. Although a few well-received album releases helped him earn some fame in Hawaii, his career skyrocketed when a YouTube clip of him performing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in Central Park went viral—over eight million views and counting. He has gone on to perform with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley, Levon Helm, and Jimmy Buffett.
    [Show full text]