Stories

Jake Fixes 100 Ukuleles For Local Schools

By Greg Olwell A version of this article originally appears in the Spring 2017 issue of Ukulele. Several months ago, ukulele star Jake Shimabukuro began posting pictures to his social media accounts of himself with what appeared to be ukuleles in…

Three different ukulele close-ups showing different tonewoods including myrtle, mahogany and koa

Gear Guru: Exploring Ukulele Tonewoods

From the Winter 2016 issue of Ukulele | BY AARON KEIM Whether you are a casual shopper at the local music store or ready to order a high-end custom ukulele, choosing the wood for your next ukulele can be overwhelming.…

Why Sydney, Australia Has One of the Great Ukulele Scenes

Why Sydney, Australia Has One of the Great Ukulele Scenes

From the Winter 2016 issue of Ukulele | BY CAMERON MURRAY As I approach the Gladstone Park Bowling Club in Sydney’s vibrant Inner West, the unmistakable sound of massed ukuleles drifts into the night air. Inside, about 60 people are…

New Ortega Horizon Ukuleles

With a reverse headstock that recalls some heavy-metal guitars of the ’80s, the new Ortega Horizon concert ukuleles have a unique look. The Horizon ukes are available with rosewood, mango, or bamboo bodies and in non-cutaway acoustic and cutaway acoustic-electric…

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How Iggy Pop and David Bowie Wrote a Classic on Ukulele

By Greg Olwell Long before its massive drum beat and sing-along chorus started to show up in ads for Carnival cruise lines and movies like Trainspotting, Iggy Pop’s anthem “Lust for Life” was one of the best-loved results of his ongoing…

Ukulele Marathon Record Set!

By Greg Olwell The Guinness World Record for the longest stretch of playing ukulele was shattered last weekend during an attempt in London. Robin Evans, a 22-year-old player from the city of Farnham, Surrey, England, played for 30 hours, 2…

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A Blizzard of Ukes at the Great Minnesota Ukulele Gathering

By Jim D’Ville Neither snow nor rain nor Minnesota’s first blizzard of the impending winter could stay over 100 hearty ukulele players from attending The Great Minnesota Ukulele Gathering, held November 18 and 19 in Minneapolis. The event, produced under the…