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.
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The Birth of the Aloha Shirt
Who originated the aloha shirt? This is a topic that comes up frequently among lovers of all things Hawaiian, and like most popular inventions, it is claimed by many.
Nominees Announced for This Year’s Best Ukulele Albums
By Greg Olwell Nominees for the Na Hoku Hanohano awards were announced in preliminary ballots and many ukulele players are among the nominees. The Na Hoku Hanohano awards, which is an awards program from the Hawaiian Academy for Recording Arts…
Lil’ Rev Raising Funds for Next Album
By Greg Olwell One of the ukulele community’s favorite performers has started a crowd-funding effort for his next album. Titled Sing Song Daddy, Lil’ Rev‘s next album will include 15 to 20 new songs written for ukulele and voice, with accompaniment by…
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Spring 2017 Ukulele Events: Festivals, Cruises & More
COMPILED BY AUDREY COLEMAN Caribbean Ukulele Cruise February 10–19, 2017 | Sailing from New Orleans Banish winter blues aboard this cruise. Spend nine days in the Caribbean luxuriating on the Carnival Dream. Scuba dive in warm, inviting waters, and make time,…
‘I’d Never Heard My Uke Sound Like This Before’: Jake Shimabukuro Discusses Using Pedals for his Album Nashville Sessions
Using distortion and other effects on his ukuleles, Nashville Sessions features Jake Shimabukuro’s playing as we’ve never heard it before.
Ortega Introduces Earth, Pineapple, Eclipse & Horizon Series Ukes at NAMM 2017
By Kelsey Holt Ortega Guitars unveiled its newest lines of ukuleles at the 2017 NAMM Show. The Earth line uses a colored stain, to show off the body wood, and white binding. They come in Fire (red), Ocean (blue), Coal (dark…
Check out the Artist and Region Series Ukes from Alvarez at Winter NAMM 2017
At Winter NAMM 2017, Alvarez Ukuleles showed off their Artist and Region Series Ukuleles. Watch the video for more info from Alvarez Ukuleles.
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Kala Introduces 8-String Baritone + More NAMM 2017
By Greg Olwell In a visit to Kala Brand Music‘s booth at the 2017 NAMM show, they showed us the company’s new concert-size Waterman ukulele, plus tons of new designs and colors on the Ukadelic and Makala Shark and Dolphin lines, including concert…
Luna Makes Some Fun, Artistic Additions to its Ukulele Family at NAMM 2017
By Greg Olwell Luna, which has been enjoying a big bump from viral video star Grace VanderWaal using one of their Tattoo ukuleles during her star-making performances for America’s Got Talent, launched 18 ukuleles at the show. Ashley Jensen, of…