Gods of Uke: The Influence of Ukulele-Jazz Pioneer Lyle Ritz, 1930–2017
Jazz ukulele pioneer Lyle Ritz’s 2 albums for Verve, How About Uke? (1958) and 50th State Jazz (1959), were hugely influential among a generation of Hawaiian ukulele players.
The Birth of the Aloha Shirt
Who originated the aloha shirt? This is a topic that comes up frequently among lovers of all things Hawaiian, and like most popular inventions, it is claimed by many.
Nominees Announced for This Year’s Best Ukulele Albums
By Greg Olwell Nominees for the Na Hoku Hanohano awards were announced in preliminary ballots and many ukulele players are among the nominees. The Na Hoku Hanohano awards, which is an awards program from the Hawaiian Academy for Recording Arts…
Lil’ Rev Raising Funds for Next Album
By Greg Olwell One of the ukulele community’s favorite performers has started a crowd-funding effort for his next album. Titled Sing Song Daddy, Lil’ Rev‘s next album will include 15 to 20 new songs written for ukulele and voice, with accompaniment by…
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Gods of Uke: Ernest Ka’ai, a Pioneering Ukulele Virtuoso, Composer, and Author
All modern ukulele players, whether or not they know it, owe a large debt to this gifted musician
What Every Ukulele Player Should Know About Humidity
From the Spring 2017 issue of Ukulele | BY ANDREW KITAKIS In working with the ukulele community for the last 20 years, I have witnessed the joy and fulfillment many friends have found when they find that special ukulele. Those…
Review: Duke Uke and Gold Tone BU-1 Banjo-ukuleles
The open-back Duke is a tenor-sized model with a mahogany neck, high-density polyethylene rim, and a pickup. Gold Tone’s BU-1 is a concert-sized open-back banjo-uke with a pickup that comes in under $200.
Surf’s Up in Taimane’s New Music Video
By Greg Olwell Ready for a blast of energy? In this new clip, 5-string ukulele slinger Taimane Gardner leads her trio through a ripping medley of surf music classics. A live show staple for Taimane, her ripping “Surf Medley” is…
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GruvGear GigBlade Gig Bag
By Greg Olwell After earning its stripes with clever body-hugging gig bag designs for electric basses and guitars, GruvGear recently moved into the ukulele world with two sizes of its GigBlade gig bag—one a smaller size to fit soprano and…
Spring 2017 Ukulele Events: Festivals, Cruises & More
COMPILED BY AUDREY COLEMAN Caribbean Ukulele Cruise February 10–19, 2017 | Sailing from New Orleans Banish winter blues aboard this cruise. Spend nine days in the Caribbean luxuriating on the Carnival Dream. Scuba dive in warm, inviting waters, and make time,…