Stories

Ginger Johnson’s Deep Baritone Sound is a Perfect Fit in the Hula Honeys

Ginger Johnson has played baritone ukulele in the award-winning Hula Honeys duo with Robyn Kneubuhl for some 20 years.

Great Ukes: The History of Dobro Resonator Ukuleles and their ‘National’ Origins

When the Dopyera brothers left their Austro-Hungarian homeland and emigrated to the United States in 1908, little did they know what an unpredictable and fascinating journey their lives would take

Uke Makers: When the Wood Speaks, Ken Franklin Listens

Franklin's elegant, innovative instruments have garnered attention far beyond the confines of his small Northern California community

Ukulele Club of Hawaii Gets an Infusion of Aloha—and a New Livestream

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel have taken the reins of the club, which was started in 2006, and have made changes that have already increased attendance

Actress, Singer, and Songwriter Nellie McKay’s Ukulele Accompanies her Everywhere, from Broadway to Egypt

There is no hard line between the worlds of acting, music, and writing for Nellie McKay

ukulele cousins, clockwide from top left: guilele, Martin tiple, ukelin, Nunes tiple, tahitian ukulele, Nunes taro patch, martin taro patch

Explore The Family Tree of the Ukulele, from the Taro Patch to the Guitalele

These relatives include instruments that evolved from the design and/or properties of the uke itself or were created as a result of its popularity, including the taro patch, Tahitian ukulele, tiple, and guitalele, as well as the ukelin

Tracing the History of Early Black Ukulele Players from Vaudeville to Beale Street and Beyond

I’ve long been interested in learning to what degree the ukulele—a remarkably democratic instrument seemingly accessible to every strata of U.S. society—was popular among African American players and music fans from the end of World War I until the beginning of World War II