Gods of Uke

Gods of Uke: Classical Master and Historian John King Treated the Ukulele With the Dignity it Deserves

Classical master and historian John King was a true pioneer in the ukulele universe. He applied his classical guitar training to ukulele and took the instrument seriously.

Goddess of Uke: May Singhi Breen, The Ukulele Lady

May Singhi Breen, "The Ukulele Lady," got the New York Musician's Union to include the ukulele on its list of instruments and created a teaching method for the instrument on the mainland.

Gods of Uke: Auntie Genoa Keawe Helped Popularize Modern Hula Songs in Hawaii and Beyond

Auntie Genoa Keawe was a masterful singer and fine ukulele player who had a profound influence on Hawaiian music during the entire second half of the 20th century.

Gods of Uke: Sione Aleki Dazzled Audiences with Rock Star Theatrics

A true ukulele rock star, Sione Aleki's showmanship on uke conjures up images of Jimi Hendrix freaking out unsuspecting audiences with similar techniques.

Gods of Uke: Eddie Kamae Reinvigorated Hawaiian Culture and Helped Make the Ukulele a Global Phenomenon

For over 50 years Eddie Kamae was at the forefront of the Hawaiian renaissance as a traditional ukulele player, singer, composer, bandleader, producer, and more.

Gods of Uke: The Influence of Ukulele-Jazz Pioneer Lyle Ritz, 1930–2017

Jazz ukulele pioneer Lyle Ritz’s 2 albums for Verve, How About Uke? (1958) and 50th State Jazz (1959), were hugely influential among a generation of Hawaiian ukulele players.

Gods of Uke Ernst Ka'ai Ukulele Magazine Hawaiian Music Uke

Gods of Uke: Ernest Ka’ai, a Pioneering Ukulele Virtuoso, Composer, and Author

All modern ukulele players, whether or not they know it, owe a large debt to this gifted musician

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Gods of Uke: Ohta-San’s Cool Touch

From the Summer 2016 issue of Ukulele | BY AUDREY COLEMAN The opening moments of “Stardust” come in leisurely phrases, as if the musician is pausing to reflect on cherished memories. Each note has a purity. As the song’s regular…

Roy Smeck Ukulele Magazine God of Uke Wizard of Strings Vita Uke Marcy Marxer

Gods of Uke: Roy Smeck Gives a Lesson to Remember

From the Fall 2014 issue of Ukulele | BY MARCY MARXER A visionary player on the ukulele, guitar, tenor banjo, and lap-steel guitar, the vaudeville performer Roy Smeck certainly earned his nickname “Wizard of the Strings.” Born in Reading, Pennsylvania…

Gods of Uke King Bennie Nawahi Hawaiian Ukulele

Gods of Uke: ‘King’ Bennie Nawahi’s Lasting Legacy

"King" Bennie Nawahi was a true crossover artist on ukulele and other instruments, long before anyone thought of that label.