On Friday January 27 the Newton-Conover Auditorium (NCA) will present YouTube sensation and world renowned ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro Ukulele Player, Jake Shimabukuro, is a rare young musician who has earned comparisons to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. It is hard to find an artist who has entirely redefined an instrument by his early thirties. But Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-boo-koo-row) has already accomplished these feats, and more, in a little over a decade of playing and recording music. For Shimabukuro, his life has always centered on the ukulele.
Yes, the ukulele. In the hands of Shimabukuro, the traditional Hawaiian instrument of four strings and two octaves is stretched and molded into a complex and bold new musical force. On his most recent album ‘Peace Love Ukulele’ (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Album Chart), Jake and his “uke” effortlessly (it seems) mix jazz, rock, classical, traditional Hawaiian music, and folk, creating a sound that’s both technically masterful and emotionally powerful…and utterly unique in the music world. No less than the New York Times recently noted his “buoyant musicianship” and “brisk proficiency,” adding, “the innovation in his style stems from an embrace of restrictions: the ukulele has only four strings and a limited range. He compensates with an adaptable combination of rhythmic strumming, classical-style finger-picking and fret board tapping.” Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam who recently released his own album of ukulele songs had this to say about Jake: “Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody else catching up with him.”
“If everyone played the ukulele the world would be a better place” Jake.
Tickets for this performance are on sale now and range from $15 to $25. This performance will be held at the Newton-Conover Auditorium located at 60 West 6th Street in Newton. For more information, directions, video clips and ticket please contact the Newton-Conover Auditorium office at 828-464-8100, e-mail at rhelton@newton-conoverauditorium.org or visit www.newton-conoverauditorium.org.
CONTACT: REGGIE HELTON AT 828-464-8100 or rhelton@newton-conoverauditorium.org .
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