The 4 K’s: Get to Know Hawaii’s Most Distinguished Ukulele Builders
Get to know 4 preeminent ukulele makers—Kamaka, Kanile`a, Ko`olau, and KoAloha—who are based on Hawaii’s third-largest island, Oahu, “The Gathering Place.”
Stories
Master Uke Maker Pete Howlett Battles Parkinson’s
For more than 20 years, esteemed U.K. luthier Pete Howlett has been building world-class ukes, often generating lengthy customer waiting lists in the process. When he began, he made an “open declaration” that he would retire from building once he hit…
Bohemian Guitars Introduces Line of Ukes
Bohemian Guitars has made quite a splash with its oilcan-bodied instruments, which have already landed in the hands of artists from G. Love to Valerie June to Hozier. Just recently, the company unveiled its Boho Series 2.0, and included in…
Lil Rev and Family Raising Funds for His Wife’s Cancer Treatment: How To Help
Ukulele magazine friend and contributor Lil Rev—who performs and teaches across the country with his uke, harmonica, and warm smile—is taking a break from work to care for his wife Carol, who is in treatment for lung cancer. The Milwaukee-based family, which includes…
Advertisement
The Next Jake: 5 Up-And-Coming Hawaiian Artists to Watch
By Kenny Berkowitz They’re young, they’re phenomenally talented, and they’re dreaming of becoming the next Jake Shimabukuro. And why shouldn’t they? Meet the future stars of Hawaiian ukulele. Brittni Paiva Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii Covers: “Boogie Woogie Bossa Nova,” “Somewhere Over…
Plastic Fantastic: How Mario Maccaferri Revolutionized the Uke Scene
Mario Maccaferri created millions of instrument-quality plastic ukuleles and introduced a generation of baby boomers—including me—to the joys of making music.
Byron Yasui Pens a Ukulele Tour de Force for Jake Shimabukuro
By Audrey Coleman Photography courtesy of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra It’s not that nobody has ever thought of writing a concerto for the ukulele. In 1999, the Wallingford (Connecticut) Symphony Orchestra commissioned uke player-composer Jim Beloff to write Uke Can’t Be Serious:…
Taimane Gardner: Reaching for the Stars
Ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner charts a new course with her first self-produced album, We Are Made of Stars, which showcases her singing and songwriting talents.
Advertisement
Coca-Cola Commissions One-of-a-Kind Ukulele for Warren Buffett
Portland-based luthier Mark Roberts, who builds custom ukuleles recognized for their tone and signature side sound ports, got quite a surprise in March when he received a message through his website regarding a new commission. It was from Coca-Cola’s advertising…
Punk Goes the Uke
By Elizabeth Robson / From the Winter 2014 issue of Ukulele Magazine For many people, the cheery ukulele might seem the antithesis of punk rock’s loud, angry attitude, but to a growing number of punkers in the United Kingdom, the…