Jake Shimabukuro Teach Ukulele

Jake Shimabukuro - Play Loud Ukulele

Hawaiian musician Jake Shimabukuro has been dubbed the "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele" for his virtuosic playing style that redefines the instrument's traditional boundaries. Filmed on the 2003 CROSSCURRENT tour, this concert film showcases Shimabukuro's innovative approach to the ukulele with two sold-out performances recorded at Tokyo's Akasaka Blitz in July 2003 and interspersed with intimate behind-the-scenes interviews.

Who's to say that just because the ukulele is small in stature, it has to make a small noise as well? In this release, ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro teaches viewers how to make a big noise with the miniaturized guitar. A trio of music videos and a few live clips show Shimabukuro doing what he does best, and an interview with the musician offers insight into just what drives his remarkable creativity.

For 15 years, Jake Shimabukuro has been expanding the possibilities of the ukulele as an instrument, bringing it from its role as a cornerstone of Hawaiian music into the worlds of rock, jazz and classical music. This January, Shimabukuro assembled a trio and went into the studio with no music written beforehand, in hopes of coming up with some decent ideas and maybe recording a song or two. Six days later, they had recorded Nashville Sessions, a full album of original compositions, written on the spot and recorded live.