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Ukulele Musicians
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Ukulele Musicians (ukuleleMusicians.shtml) | Updated: 29-Nov-2008 - 22:02
New to ukulele start with these two awesome players
Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill. Two of the best ukulele players on the planet that are taking the uke to a new level.
For some great island music check out Bryan Tolentino from Hawaii and transplanted hawaiians (to D.C.) The Aloha Boys.
And, do not forget to check out Israel "Bruddah Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole.
Featured Ukulele Musician - Mark “Spanky” Gutierrez
Periodically a ukulele musician worth checking out will be featured here.
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Links
Artist Info
(from artist's site) Mark "Spanky" Gutierrez was given a ‘ukulele by a friend that owns a local second hand guitar store in the spring of 2002. He had no idea how it would impact his life. It was a no name baritone and the intonation was way off beyond the fifth fret but he couldn’t put it down. Mark kept searching for a tune he couldn’t play on the little instrument but there always seemed to be a way to work it out.
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Fellow Ukulele Musicians
Here is a great list of fellow ukulele players to check out.
140 Ukulele Musicians as of September 4, 2008
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- Bag End Boys
- The Barnkickers
- Azo Bell
- Hiram Bell
- Jim Beloff
- Bliss Blood
- Book 'em Danno
- Jason Borshard
- Bosko & Honey
- Boulder Acoustic Society
- Oliver Brown
- Bob Brozman
- Eddie Bush
- 'Pops' Bayless
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D
- Peter "Uncle Peter" Delapinia
- Mary Lou Stout Dempler
- Denver Ukulele Orchestra
- Chalmers Doane
- Dominator
- Dr. Uke
- Al Duvall
- Jim D'Ville
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F
G
H
I
J
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- Led Kaapana
- Dana "Moon" Kahele
- Keoki Kahumoku
- Kama Aina Ep
- Jody Kamisato
- John Kavanagh
- Aaron Keim
- Weldon Kekauoha
- Michelle Kiba
- John King
- King Kukulele
- Janet Klein
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- Abraham Lagrimas, Jr.
- Langley Ukulele Ensemble
- Rich "Amazing Dick" Leufstedt
- Lexotica
- Lil' Rev
- Jerry Long
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- William H. Macy
- Mad Tea PartyUPDATED
- Kenneth Makuakane
- Manitoba Hal
- Tim Mann
- Gordon Mark
- Mary J. Martin
- Mary Uke Lady
- Dana McCoy
- Chloé Mons
- Eddie Montana
- Patsy Monteleone
- The Moonlighters
- Peter Moon
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O
P
R
S
- Roy Sakuma
- Dan "soybean" Sawyer
- Dan "Cool Hand Uke" Scanlan
- Wolfgang Schneider
- Derick Sebastian
- Ralph Shaw
- Curt Sheller
- Jake Shimabukuro
- Shorty Long
- Roy Smeck
- Fred Sokolow
- Jeff Solomon
- SoNGS FRoM A RANDoM HoUSE
- Steven Sproat
- George (Mr. ) Sunshine
- Shaun Swanson
- Tim Sweeney
- Sweet Soubrette
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U
V
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- Michael Wagner
- The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
- Ian Whitcomb
- Spats White
- Windy City Islanders
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More musician links are available on the general Ukulele Links page.
A Few Famous Musicians and People with Ukuleles
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The Boss
Elvis Costello
Warren Buffett
Neil Armstrong
Marilyn Monroe
Famous Musicians who started on ukulele
- Dick Dale
- Joni Mitchell
- Johnny Winter
- Bob Berryhill of the Surfaris (Wipeout fame)
(Eddie) Vedder of Peal Jam On the Ukulele:
“It's a good instrument. It's little, it's portable and loaded with more melody than any other instrument I know of.”
Fellow Ukulele Musicians
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Links
Artist Info
(From artist's web site) Born and raised in Hawai'i and transplanted to the Washington, D.C., area to pursue careers, the Aloha Boys – Ramon Camarillo, Glen Hirabayashi, Isaac Ho’opi’i and Irv Queja - met in 1996 while playing music for their children and nieces at Halau O 'Aulani, a school of Hawai'ian culture, in the Washington, D.C., area.
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Artist Info
(from artist's site) - Originally from Hawaii, having been weaned on contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music, and later drawn to acoustic and slide blues guitar, Jason brings the “island blues” to Southern California. These eclectic musical influences are echoed in the way he plays his “electric ukulele" to produce his signature “island blues” sound -- the flavor of Hawaii with the soul of the blues. Showcasing the versatility of the ukulele as a lead instrument across a variety of musical styles, Jason has guest performed with alternative rocker Donovan Lyman and his band, Blue Meridian, the R & B acoustic soul songstress Lady L, singer-songwriter Deron Wade, and cello rockers, the Ken Oak Band. Influenced by the music and culture of Hawaii and acoustic and electric blues guitar, Jason rocks out on his "electric ukulele."
More information available on artist's web site.
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Artist Info
“The Bag End Boys write contemporary pop songs that feature melodies that sometimes swirl in neat, unexpected ways. They can also cut a fine cover version of the Beatles classic, "The Word." Most amazing is how two ukes and two voices can sound so full. Further proof that the ukulele can rock and pop like its six string relative.” - Jim Beloff, Flea Market Music
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Artist Info
“Aussie Azo Bell is one of the best uke players of the new-uke generation. Along with band mates Billy Milroy on single string bass and Tim Reeves on snare drum, Azo shows off some amazing single note picking and strumming that are one part vaudeville, and one part modern jazz. Includes many standards Rag Mop, Foggy Day In London Town, Misty, and a slew of originals including the instant uke classic Spider Walk. Serious chops mixed with a wicked sense of humor.” - - Jim Beloff (Review of 'Lost In Spice' CD), Flea Market Music, California.
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Artist Info
(From fleamarketmusic.com) Jim Beloff is the author of The Ukulele-A Visual History (Backbeat Books) and author, compiler and publisher of the popular Jumpin' Jim's series of ukulele songbooks.
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Artist Info
(From web site bio ) THE MOONLIGHTERS have been a part of the New York City jazz and pop music scenes since they formed in 1998. Based around a core of harmonized vocal duets backed by warm acoustic instruments including Hawaiian lap steel guitar, ukulele, guitar and bass, they explore traditional and classic tunes with a unique, romantic approach that is appealing to listeners of all ages.
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Artist Info
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Info
More information available on artist's web site.
Artist Info
UKULELE SAFARI
(from artist's site) - In 2008 BOSKO & HONEY'S UKULELE LOVE-IN is coming to you!
B&H are pleased to announce that as of FEBRUARY 2008, they will be embarking on a new project called BOSKO & HONEY'S UKULELE SAFARI
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Boulder Acoustic Society
booking: The Charisma Artist Agency
Links
Artist Info
The Boulder Acoustic Society is Aaron Keim Double Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Vocals, Scott Aller Spoons, Washboard, Cajon, Hand Drums, Snare, Cymbols, Kailin Yong Violin, Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocals and Scott McCormick Accordion, Ukulele, Washboard, Vocals.
“Here, for us, is the future of String Band Music on a silver platter.” - - Darol Anger
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Links
Ukulele Tunes and Techniques Hawaiian and American Styles. Homespun Tapes (Instructional). DVD (Digital Video Disk). With notes and tablature. Size 5.4x7.5 inches. Published by Homespun. (641791)
See more info...
Artist Info
Bob Brozman is also a National Reso-Phonic Dealer. Order your Reso-Phonic Guitar, Baritone Guitar, or Ukulele from Bob, and get customized features. Visit Bob's site for more information.
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Artist Info
(From artist's web site) Living in the D.C. area since 1996, Ramon came from Hawai’i, bringing his ukulele and his dynamic wheel-throwing style. In Hawai’i, he had been refining his skills in the art of raku, exhibiting, and winning awards for nearly 20 years. Once on the mainland, he started gaining national recognition in the clay industry. When he's not working out of the prestigious Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, or Lee Arts Center in Falls Church, Ramon is based out of his home studio/gallery in Vienna (all in Northern Virginia).
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Artist Info
Ben Chong taught himself to play the 'ukulele when he was about 11 years old. After nine years or so, he virtually put the 'ukulele away for some thirty-five years. When I met him in 1964, he was the guitarist with the Ali'is, the band that backed up Don Ho. In 2000, I invited him to be one of the four artists in "The Art of Solo 'Ukulele", a concert series that led to a CD and a public TV special. These events revitalized his interest in the 'ukulele, resulting in his album.
Ben Chong plays a baritone size, cutaway Ko'olau 'Ukulele. He has performed in Hawaii and throughout the world with the Don Ho Band for many years, becoming one the classic 'ukulele players of our day.
Additional Links
More information available on artists's web site.
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Artist Info
(from artist's site) - As a teenager learning the guitar in the suburbs of Los Angeles, James became interested in blues around 1966; while listening to many of the great originals such as Bukka White, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb and Johnny Shines, at the Ash Grove folk club in L.A.
He formed one of the city’s first blues bands, playing a primitive Hubert Sumlin-style lead, and slide guitar in a Muddy Waters/Elmore James vein.
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Links
- Uke Videos: Peter Delapinia from the Mele Ukulele store in Maui
- YouTube Peter Delapinia plays the Hula Tenor Uke
- YouTube Peter Delapinia plays the Mele double-neck Tenor Uke
A new version of "Magic in the moonlight", shot at the Mele Ukulele retail store on Maui, on Mele's newest model. Key of F. Tuning is GCEA with a low "G". 8-string is tuned gGcCEEAA.
Artist Info
Peter "Uncle Peter" Delapinia in-house uke virtuoso at Mele Music
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Links
Info
The Denver Ukulele Orchestra meet twice monthly for our practices. We dream up funny antics to perform on stage for our audiences. Of course you will have to come to a concert to find out what we are up to!
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Artist Info
(except from The Canadian Encyclopedia ) During Doane's tenure as supervisor of music for the Halifax School Board (1967-84), he changed school music programs dramatically, using the ukulele as an inexpensive and practical teaching instrument for children and adults. His unconventional approach, vindicated by the success of Halifax school bands and orchestras in concerts and competitions across Canada, has produced a model of public music education worthy of study by educational jurisdictions elsewhere. In 1984 Doane became associate professor at Nova Scotia Teachers College. He is much in demand as a consultant and leader of workshops across Canada and in the USA.
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Links
- dominator.ukeland.com
- MySpace
- YouTube: Something Ukulele Tutorial - Part 1
- YouTube: Something Ukulele Tutorial - Part 2
A GREAT collection of ukulele TABS from "Dominator" aka Dominic Pieranunzio are available.
Info
(from Dominator's site ) A little about me: Primarily a self taught guitarist, pursuing the ukulele for approximately six years, I have spent the last couple of years concentrating on the ukulele. Not being able to find tablature for the ukulele in the same quality and format as was (and still is) available for the guitar is the motivation behind this site. Since books containing ukulele tab were not available, I decided I would try to transcribe the songs myself and make them available for others to learn from as well.
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Links
A site for students of the ukulele and other lovers of music.
Dr.Uke is part of two performing groups: Glastonbury Ukulele Band and the Jim Rosokoff Trio
Dr. Uke has a lot of nice learning material and songs on his site.
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Artist Info
(From Artichoke Community Music: Teachers and Workshops)
From simple strumming to advanced fingerpicking and jazz arrangements, I offer all styles and levels of ukulele instruction. Co-author of "The Natural Way To Music, An Organic Approach To Understanding & Playing Music", written with banjo and music theory maven, Bill Keith; we wrote the short course to understanding basic music theory.
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Additional Information
Joel's recommended ukulele tunings:
- Soprano - A D F# B
- Concert (Alto) - G C E A
- Tenor - E A C# F#
- Baritone - D G B E
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Artist Info
Additional Links
- WikipediA
- David Garrick's Fan Site
- redhotjazz.com
- YouTube I Feel Pestamistic 1930
- YouTube Cliff Edwards search
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- No know web presence
Artist Info
Fred is a ukulele performer and historian out of Chicago, IL. And a legend in the ‘ukulele community worldwide
Fred performs at various ukulele festivals and gives workshops around the country each year. Be sure to check him out.
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Artist Info
The Fleastompers are James Key, Nick Smiley and Don Peyton
The Fleastompers provide vintage entertainment on ukuleles. With songs like Makin' Love Ukulele Style, Ukulele Lady and The 12th Street Rag, The Fleastompers are guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
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Links
- www.georgeformby.co.uk
- WidipediA: George Formby
- YouTube: She's got two of everything
Info
(from WidipediA) George Formby's trademark was playing the banjolele in a highly syncopated style, collectively referred to as the 'Formby style'.
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Artist Info
(from artist's site) - Kristopher Fuchigami was born on June 5, 1990. He was anxious to enter this world as his parents barely made it to the Hilo Hospital in time for his arrival. He has lived in the Keaau area all his life and has attended Keaau Elementary, Middle, and High School.
When Kris was 13 years old, his mom and siblings went to visit her family in Japan for the summer and Kris was stuck at home with his dad and very bored