Jason Mraz on How “I’m Yours” Became an Instant Ukulele Classic
It’s hard to know exactly how many folks have learned Jason Mraz’s smash hit “I’m Yours” on the ukulele over the past decade, but the number is surely in the millions
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Abe Lagrimas Jr’s album ‘Rhythm & Uke’
Abe’s Rhythm Multi-instrumentalist Abe Lagrimas Jr. uses his extensive jazz training to weave complex rhythms into lounge-style instrumentals that draw from Hawaiian, folk, and contemporary music. Playing both ukulele and drums, Lagrimas is accompanied by Hamilton Price on bass, but—as…
Miles Schon Catches the Ukulele Wave
Playing ukulele changed the way I hear music Miles Schon explores the uke’s possibilities © Deidre Neville Singer-songwriter Miles Schon started playing guitar at age 13, but it took him nearly another decade to pick up a ukulele—and even…
Gods of Uke: How Arthur Godfrey Helped Spark the 1950s Uke Craze
By Karen Peterson For those of a certain age, somewhere in the memory banks is the image of a smiling, freckle-faced, red-headed guy—not the marionette Howdy Doody—wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt and plucking a ukulele. It was Arthur Godfrey, and…
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The Spark that Started the First Ukulele Craze in 1915
The runaway hit of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition came from a lei-bedecked ukulele quintet playing in the middle of the Hawaiian Pavilion.
Winter NAMM 2015: Alvarez Launches New Uke Line
This year, the Alvarez brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary. While best known for its guitars, the company has just launched the intriguing new Artist series of ukuleles, which will feature solid soundboards, herringbone purfling, fan bracing, and a variety of…
Daniel Ho’s Update on the State of the Ukulele: ‘The Uke Has Come a Long Way Since Our Days of Hallway Serenading’
We are in the midst of a renaissance in ukulele design and repertoire, and the petite instrument is enjoying entire festivals dedicated to it around the world.
Pop-Fueled Uke Chanteuse Victoria Vox
If there hasn’t been a university study on the psychological and sociological benefits of playing the ukulele, now might be a good time—and Victoria Vox could be the Test Case.
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How to Choose and Use the Right Ukulele Pickups
There are several routes available to ukulele players who need to amplify. Here's how to choose and use the right ukulele pickups.
Winter NAMM 2015: Kalei Gamiao Dazzles on His Custom Kamaka
Next year, Honolulu’s esteemed Kamaka Ukulele company is turning 100 years old. For many players out there, Kamaka’s ukes are among the finest available. At this year’s NAMM show, we were quite fortunate to have a session with the great Kalei…