Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele sensation who found worldwide fame eleven years ago by going viral through YouTube with his Beatles rendition of “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” has been named in Guitar Player Magazine’s 2017 Hall of Fame Awards, alongside other “Gallery of Greats” members Jerry Douglas, Elliot Easton, and Brian Setzer. Guitar Player states that Jake is known for “expanding the vocabulary of the ukulele with virtuosity and varied stylistic influences.” Within the last few years, there has been a “ukulele boom” which was due, in a large part, thanks to Shimabukuro’s advocacy, enthusiasm and innovation for the instrument.
His first album of all original songs, Nashville Sessions, released last year, is one of Shimabukuro’s most adventurous, multifaceted and engaging recordings yet. At the suggestion of his manager – and breaking from the traditional sounds of the ukulele he’s focused on for past albums – Jake went into a Nashville studio last January to jam with two top Nashville session players, Jake’s bassist Nolan Verner and drummer Evan Hutchings. The result is one of the boldest and most unique ukulele records ever made, and one that will touch the heart of Jake Shimabukuro’s fan base while enticing new listeners from all across the musical spectrum.
Critics across the globe raved about the album’s guitar-like sounds. Associated Press said it “draws sounds both traditional and innovative from his ukulele…flows and erupts in an extended gush of scorching distortion. Steve Vai and Jeff Beck come to mind.” Hawaii Public Radio’s All Things Considered said it “takes the traditional instrument into a realm of guitar-like distortion, freewheeling jams and introspective, highly electric passages;” and 4.52am said “he could yet do for the uke what Jimi Hendrix did for the electric guitar.”
Watch “Blue Haiku” video:
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Accompanying Shimabukuro on tour will be longtime bassist Nolan Verner and guitarist Dave Preston. They will perform songs from Jake’s most recent albums, Live in Japan (2015) and Travels (2015), favorites from his 15-year career, and several songs from his studio album Nashville Sessions. You can check out one of their latest jams on Sound Check Sessions. Jake is hitting most states, filling up venues, evidence of the devoted fan base that is flourishing even in cities he is visiting for the first time. While on tour, Shimabukuro will be also be performing with well-known “rest-stroke picking” jazz guitarist George Benson and world-renowned “fingerstyle” guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel. This will be his first appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville where he will be performing alongside Tommy Emmanuel. Check below for full schedule of tour dates, including dates in 2018.
Upcoming Jake Shimabukuro Tour Dates
Oct 25 Schaeffer Auditorium Kutztown, PA
Oct 26 Mayo Performing Arts Center Morristown, NJ
Oct 27 Jorgensen Center Storrs, CT
Oct 28 The Cabot Beverly, MA
Oct 29 The Birchmere Music Hall Alexandria, VA
Nov 10 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Nov 11 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Nov 12 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Nov 18 Courtyard Marriott at Kapaa Kapaa, HI
Dec 21 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Dec 22 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Dec 23 Blue Note Hawaii Honolulu, HI
Jan 12 The Fairmont Orchid Hotel Waimea, HI
Jan 13 Palace Theater Hilo, HI
Feb 02 Ruby Diamond Concert Hall Tallahassee, FL
Feb 06 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Feb 08 Capitol Theatre Clearwater, FL
Feb 09 University of Florida Performing Arts Gainesville, FL
Feb 10 The Plaza Theatre Orlando, FL
Feb 12 City Winery Atlanta, GA
Feb 13 City Winery Atlanta, GA
Feb 15 de Jong Concert Hall Provo, UT
Feb 16 Adrienne Arsht Center Miami, FL *
Feb 17 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN **
Feb 19 Benaroya Hall Seattle, WA
Feb 20 Vogue Theatre Vancouver, BC
Feb 21 Mesa Arts Center Mesa, AZ
Feb 22 Tower Theatre Bend, OR
Feb 23 Crest Theatre Sacramento, CA
Feb 24 Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Santa Rosa, CA
Feb 25 Bankhead Theatre Livermore, CA
Mar 02 Renee and Henry Segerstrom Costa Mesa, CA
Mar 04 Saban Theatre Beverly Hills, CA
Mar 05 The Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ
Mar 06 Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center Mesa, AZ
Mar 17 Castle Theatre – Maui Arts & Culture Kahului, HI
*George Benson
**Tommy Emmanuel
Order Nashville Sessions: http://jake-shimabukuro.myshopify.com/collections/nashville-sessions
