Holy $h!t, this guy (Jake Shimabukuro) is amazing!

[pokerfan]

Saw him on Conan last night.

Jake Shimabukuro plays "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

NPR Interview

[KamaAina]

1. Hell, I saw him in front of my grocery store one day!

playing 'ukulele, not shopping, either. Good to see him getting some national exposure. He's already HUGH!!11!!11 in Japan.

[pokerfan]

4. Well, we can't all live in Honolulu

(it would get awfully crowded)

I see last night's Conan appearance has already been uploaded. Conan even brought him back to his desk and he doesn't do that with every musical guest.

Jake Shimimabukuro plays "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on Conan, February 19, 2008

[Common Sense Party]

11. Conan was quite effusive with his praise.

I guess it's because Conan's a guitar player and recognizes the skill involved in what Jake pulled off.

That was a great performance.

[harmonicon]

2. I don't know

it's flashy, but I don't know what it offers beyond a brief amusement. I play uke, and I sure as hell can't play like that, but I'd rather listen to someone like Stephen Merritt/Magnetic Fields who's writing and performing original songs on the ukulele.

[Bake]

3. Yep. Pretty freakin' awesome.

And I don't use that word lightly.

Bake

[DinahMoeHum]

5. I've heard him numerous times on Radio Margaritaville. . .

playing as a guest artist in Jimmy Buffett's band. At several of the concerts, he's done a great and interesting rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner with pan artist Robert Greenidge.

:party:

[pokerfan]

6. Yeah, saw that on Youtube

Jake opening for Jimmy Buffet playing the Star Spangled Banner at Wrigley Field

[pokerfan]

12. Jimmy Buffett on Jake

from MusicPlayerNetwork

“These days I don’t usually go looking for talent. We have plenty in our own band, but when my guitarist Mac MacAnally tells me I ought to check somebody out, I do. I bought Jake’s album in Honolulu and put it on in my rent-a-car as I drove to the North Shore to surf. It was amazing playing that simply fit the mood and the scene. On the way home, I saw Jake’s picture in the window of a surf shop where he was going to be doing a radio broadcast. I couldn’t stay, so I left a note with the store clerk inviting Jake to our show the following night at the Waikiki Shell—to see the show and maybe come up and do a guest appearance. I saw Jake play for the first time at our soundcheck on the afternoon before the show. That’s when I discovered that not only was he a player, but also a gracious, humble young man—attributes not often found in people with that much talent. At the end of soundcheck, Jake got a round of applause from my band. That is a tough thing to achieve from a group of veteran players, but we all sensed that Jake was special. He was great in our show that night and he was great two days later when I went to see him at a club in Honolulu. That’s when I decided to invite him on the road this summer. Sometimes you just have to play a hunch. I think this one will turn out alright for both of us.”

[Greyskye]

7. He's been at my fave music festival a couple times

in 2005 and 2006. An amazing performer!

If anyone is ever in Northern California mid-July, this is the place to be! http://worldfest.net/index.asp They've just started naming the booked bands - looks like it's going to be another great year!

:bounce: :toast: :headbang:

[Bennyboy]

8. He plays at High Sierra too.....

For all you NORCALers....

He rocked my world last year. Sat in with some bands and that was just so cool.....

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. I bought his album last year...

He's wonderful!

[trof]

10. Always thought the ukulele was an under rated instrument.

Arthur Godfrey (anybody remember him?) brought it to popularity in the U.S. in the 50s. He was a big Hawaii promoter and played one on his radio and TV shows.
In 1954 you could buy and Arthur Godfrey Ukulele for $4.98.

I had one and just about every kid I knew did too.
Cheap, and fairly easy to play some songs if you could learn 3 or 4 chords.
"Ain't Gonna Rain No More" was my first piece.

[hippywife]

13. I've gotten to hear him live

in the studio a couple of times on the internet radio station I listen to. Definitely not your every day uke! :hi:

[Godhumor]

14. He wa sone of the first musicians I listened to while living in Hawai'i

Glad to see he's finally getting some real national attention.