Curt Sheller `ukulele

Eric Schreiber bass

Ed Rick drums

Ukulele Related Interviews and Articles

Jazz Guitar Related Interviews and Articles

Just Jazz Guitar Articles by Curt Sheller

Im my jazz guitar days, pre ukulele I wrote a couple of articles for Just Jazz Guitar.

  • Coming Soon - Digging them up...

The Curt Sheller Jazz Trio Reveals Creative and Engaging Uses of Ukulele on New Album

Reprint from The Roots Authority - No Depression by STACEY ZERING. No Depression is a semiannual, high-end, ad-free print magazine with a concurrent online publication/

Inspired by their affection for jazz improvisation, the Curt Sheller Jazz Trio rework timeless classics on How About More Uke?, replacing the standard guitar backing with a ukulele, played with skill and creativity by Sheller himself. Alongside drummer Ed Rick on drums and Eric Schreiber on electric bass, Sheller reveals that the ukulele can be utilized as a serious and vibrant instrument.

The idea to experiment with the ukulele in jazz dawned on Sheller while traveling with his wife to South Dakota; searching online for a small guitar that could be easily transported during the trip, Sheller stumbled on a ukulele.

Conveying a sunshine atmosphere, "My Favorite Things," is spotlessly finessed, reigned by the suave sound of Sheller's ukulele. Driven by effervescent drums, it bounces off imagery of being in a remote beach, basking in the sun while toes are buried under powdery sand as cocktails are sipped. A cool wind brushes against the skin in "Georgia" as Sheller's poignant ukulele is accentuated by the acquiescent drift of the bass. The dark skies are suddenly wreathed with glittering stars, one of the fleeting images elicited by this incandescent piece. The finger-picked playing on "I'll Remember April" is marvelous, comforting, and empowering.

This is definitely a soothing, finely calibrated and harmonically rich collection. With its ebullient rhythms, vivacious tempos, and unrestrained high-spirited melodies, listeners will without a doubt get carried away by this blissful album. The use of the ukulele adds a compelling dynamic and an astonishing vibe in every track of the album; it is ambitious, cleverly layered and electrifying.

Demo

10 Minute Demo of How About More Uke? CD

Video

Here is a first cut of a performance of The Curt Sheller Jazz Trio from The Berks Jazz Fest, 2016 at the Other Farm Brewing Company, Boyertown, PA USA . This performance was filmed by the award winning video production team at Abominable Productions. The set list contained:

Clinics, Workshops and Master Classes

Posters - Curt Sheller Solo

Formats: PNGJPEGPDF

Letter Size (ANSI A) • 8.5in x 11in

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

A4 • 297mm x 210mm

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

Ledger (ANSI B) • 11in x 17in Tabloid

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

A3 • 297mm x 420mm

Posters - Curt Sheller Jazz Trio

Formats: PNGJPEGPDF

Letter Size (ANSI A) • 8.5in x 11in

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

A4 • 297mm x 210mm

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

Ledger (ANSI B) • 11in x 17in Tabloid

Formats: PNG JPEG PDF

A3 • 297mm x 420mm

Photos

Photos are High Resolution JPG format and can be cropped for your particular uses.

Smaller Lower Resolution Square Images - PNG 512 x 512

.png format - click on image for larger view.

Smaller Lower Resolution Square Images - jpeg 512 x 512

.jpeg format - click on image for larger view.

High Resolution JPG (11.8 MB)
Photo by Eric Max

Click on images to download or view high resolution version (11.8MB)

CD / Album Cover Art

How About More Uke

Midnight at the Jazz Cafe

Released: 2002

Additional High Resolution Versions Available Upon Request

Comments

“He’s generous, good-hearted and has empowered countless players to expand their view of the ukulele.” — James Hill.

Just received your newest CD. I have listened to it three times now and, as a result have moved you into that group of excellent uke players I especially admire and know that I can learn a great deal from by listening repeatedly to their stylings (not to mention enjoying their fabulous ukulele music).” - Andy Andrews, founder of Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz & the Puna Ukulele & Kanikapila Association

Curt’s repertoire consistently stretches the ukulele envelope by incorporating jazz, blues, and pop into a pleasantly entertaining mix. — Gerald Ross

Wow! Got my copy. Superior uke playing. So smooth, so clean. You’ve got a wonderful CD here! — Chris S.

Curt, your CD was fantastic. You are amongst the ukulele masters of our day. — John K.

Curt, I really enjoyed your set at The Whiskey--your low key intros, mic persona provided a cool contrast with your complex uke technique and ingenious arrangements! - Best wishes, Jared Denhard

Stage Plot and Tech

Solo

For solo Curt is self-contained and venue can tap in the 'ukulele DI or amp DI out if required.

Additional Requirements

  • One vocal mic on boom stand.
  • 2 electrical outlets minimum to power pedals and AER Compact 60 amplifier. For venues outside of USA please provide one AER Compact 60 amplifier.

Trio Ukulele, Electric Bass and Drums

Self contained and venue can tap in to `ukulele DI or amplifier DI outs for Bass and Ukulele.

Drums can be miced by venue in needed ( supplied by venue ).

  • One vocal mic on boom stand for announcements and audience interaction.
  • 4 electrical outlets minimum to power pedals and amplifiers.

We can supply a PA if required at an additional cost.

Past Performances

  • View Past Performances on the Calendar page.

For Booking a Concert, Workshop or Clinic Contact

Curt Sheller is available for concerts, workshops, book signings, festivals, etc. Contact Curt directly or Kelly for the quickest response or more information.

Cost depends on the type of event, how many people at the event, where the event is located, if the venue/booking agent is supplying sound/lighting/backline, travel expenses etc. Contact Curt directly or Kelly for the quickest response. ( It's more affordable than your think. ). We do offer a one flat fee / budget friendly price where we take care of travel and lodging.

Visit the Learning Ukulele with Curt web site ( www.LearningUkulele.com ) for over 1000 lessons, songs, play-longs, books, lessons, series and more...

Kelly Thompson

484 • 415 • 9677

kelly@funkyfrets.com

Bernadette Sheller

484 • 942 • 8041

bern@funkyfrets.com

Curt Sheller

484 • 942 • 8040

curt@curtsheller.com

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!Peter Rhee

Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the bestGlen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys

Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent.fatveg — Portland

Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

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Original Animation by Curt Sheller - 1987 for my first web site 37 years ago.