About 25 years ago, Joe Souza had the opportunity to apprentice under the master luthier Peter Bermudez, one of Hawaii’s most revered ukulele builders. In 1998, Souza and his wife, Kristen, founded Kanile’a Ukulele, and their modest home-based operation produced only a handful…
By popular demand, the Goodtime banjo company has announced the addition of a banjo ukulele to its catalog. The new American-made concert-scale instrument, which will begin shipping in March, features an 11-inch violin maple rim, maple neck, and a floating…
This year, Northern California’s Kala Brand Music Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the ukulele business. Founded by Mike Upton in 2005, Kala has quickly become one of the most important and innovative uke manufacturers in the industry. We connected with Upton…
Last summer, Lanikai Ukuleles unveiled its Makau Series of instruments. Each uke in the line is handmade in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, with all-solid koa backs and sides, rosewood fingerboards, Honduran mahogany necks, and abalone headstock inlays. The latest addition to…
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The singer-songwriter and uke player known as Danielle Ate the Sandwich has just released The Drawing Back of Curtains, a lovely and compelling 11-song collection that serves as the soundtrack to the new documentary, Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake…
Shopping for a beautiful uke? Shopping for a beautiful uke that Jack Johnson signed and played? Johnson’s custom “Beetle Kill” Pepe Romero Jr. tenor ukulele is for sale on eBay with all proceeds going to his Kokua Foundation charity in…
The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra kicked off its U.S. tour last night in New York City and will bring its outrageous, ukulele-fueled performances to 12 more cities through January 25. Check out all the dates here and below. One of New Zealand’s…
Although Mike “Uncle Elvis” Hind has only been playing ukulele for a few short years, he’s developed a sterling reputation as an engaging, entertaining performer. Now, the Bermuda-based musician is adding ukulele designer to his resume. Moku Ukuleles has announced the…
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As if the ukulele wasn’t portable enough . . . Monty Ross, an electrical engineer based in Washington, has developed a AA-battery-powered, solid-body, electro-acoustic ukulele, known as the Ukelation. The Ukelation features an under-saddle pickup along with a built-in speaker…
Kyser Musical Products has already had great success with its line of Lifeguard humidifiers for steel-string and classical guitars. In January, the company will be releasing a Lifeguard humidifier for concert-size ukuleles. Now you can save your uke from cracking…