‘A Fresh Idea’: Jim Beloff Chronicles the Ukulele’s Third Wave in the 1990s
The action in this short excerpt from the new book "UKEtopia! Adventures in the Ukulele World" takes place in 1998, as the 3rd wave was still gaining momentum.
history
Ring-Mounted Finger Uke, the Jazuke & More: A History of Unusual Ukulele Patents
Exploring the history of ukulele patents provides an entertaining look at some of the more unusual, clever, and sometimes questionable ideas in the ukuele's history.
When the Ukulele as We Know it Arrived in Hawaii
By 1885, three Madeiran cabinetmakers who had arrived in Hawaii six years earlier had opened up small shops where they made and sold stringed instruments, including early ukuleles
The Ukulele During World War II: The 442nd Infantry Regiment
The 442nd Regiment was almost exclusively comprised of Nisei—American citizens born to Japanese immigrant parents. Their ukuleles brought them joy while deployed.
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Collecting Vintage Ukulele Catalogs
When it comes to ukuleles, many things can be directly thought of as accessories, from clip-on tuners to decorative straps. One favorite is collecting old catalogs.
Exploring 100 Years of Martin Ukulele History
In 1917, C. F. Martin & Co. published its first ukulele pamphlet, announcing the company’s newest instrument. To say they were a success is an understatement.
Japan: The Colorful History of the Ukulele’s Second Home
From the Winter 2016 issue of Ukulele | BY KEVIN C. CROWELL You may have seen the bumper sticker with a picture of a ukulele and the words “I’m Huge in Japan.” Well, it’s true. Totally true. Why is the…
#ThrowbackThursday to an Epic ‘Jug Band Style’ Uke Jam
by Greg Olwell From the time the ukulele first came to the attention of Mainlanders, people found fun and inventive ways to add some ukulele spice to whatever they were playing. Case in point, this clip recorded in 1928, where Eddie Thomas and Carl Scott…
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The Birth of the Ukulele
The belief that Hawaii lays sole claim to the ukulele is a widely held misconception. The earliest ukes only date back to the mid-1880s, and they weren’t invented by the Hawaiians.
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.