Jake Shimabukuro, Takamine Guitars Strike a Chord to Benefit ‘Four Strings for Kids'
Music Is Good Medicine (MIGM), the nonprofit organization supported by Jake Shimabukuro and his management company, TOASTMAN INC., is pleased to announce the creation of a brand new ukulele developed by the renowned musical artist and the world-famous Takamine guitar company. The newly minted instrument will play a key role in supporting “Four Strings for Kids,” a program dedicated to making the ukulele available to children all over the world.
A portion of the proceeds generated from the on-line only sales of the MIGM ukulele will support the organization's outreach programs, but its greater contribution may be in helping to expand MIGM's mission “to use the power of music to heal, influence and inspire people to improve our community, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and pursue their dreams with a positive attitude” to a broader worldwide audience...
Across The Universe & My Life Import Albums Available Now
It has been a long awaited arrival for this Japanese Import. Awhile back Jake released an all Beatles cover album, only in Japan. This album is filled with thirteen of Jake's favorite Beatles songs...all played on the ukulele. Including two very special collaborations with Cyndi Lauper and Yo-Yo Ma, this album is sure to be one for the ages.
Also recently in stock is the full length import album "My Life". The mini six-song EP version was released in the U.S. However, the Japan release contains a full twenty tracks. Including the rare and emotional piece Ehime maru, which Jake wrote in memory of the tragic collision on February 9, 2001.
Jake's brand new album release, Annon, is now available online for purchase online. This album will only be sold through online outlets and at Jake's live concerts.
The newly created non-profit organization, “Music is Good Medicine” is pleased to announce the official launching of its newly produced website. The website, located at http://musicisgoodmedicine.org was designed to educate viewers about the program through a spectrum of features such as the history of the organization and high quality multimedia formatted content.
The fresh site includes a variety of formats to get an in-depth view of what the “Music is Good Medicine” program is all about. It provides viewers with features such as the mission statement, the “Music is Good Medicine” history, reports and high definition videos of past events, and music of other artists involved with the program.
New Live Album Released In U.S.
The new Live album is now available for purchase throughout the U.S. in popular music stores and online outlets.
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Though some still have trouble pronouncing his last name and the instrument he plays, Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOO-koo-row) is recognized as one of the world's most exciting and innovative ukulele (oo-koo-LAY-lay) players and composers.
Jake's latest release is Live, his first full-length CD since 2006's best-selling Gently Weeps. After taping dozens of U.S. and overseas performances Jake chose these tracks as representing "the best of the best" of his live playing. Every track reveals a different side of the ukulele: soft and sensitive at times, other times cheery and playful, occasionally dramatic, and, once in a while, hard and aggressive. The 17-song CD, released on April 14, includes 12 Shimabukuro originals (Nine versions of his best-known compositions, plus four brand-new tunes) and five covers (including a jaw-dropping version of J.S. Bach's "Two-Part Invention No. 4 in D Minor"; an amazing interpretation of "Thriller," the Rod Temperton song made famous by Michael Jackson). Of course there's a live version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" which might be Jake's best-recorded version yet!
Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential." His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake's mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than the traditional Hawaiian music - or corny showbiz routines -- many associate it with.
Jake's mother gave him his first ukulele lesson when he was but four years old. "When I played my first chord I was hooked," says Jake, "I fell in love with the instrument." That love grew into a deep passion to create and innovate.
Experimenting with various techniques allows Jake to create sounds never thought possible on the tiny four-string, two-octave instrument. A true showman, his performance captivates audiences with intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying high-energy grooves and smooth, melodic ballads.
From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu café, Jake has gone on to play renowned and popular venues and festivals across the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. And this summer Jake will perform in Europe (festivals in Stockholm, Pori, Nice, San Sebastian) and Brazil for the first time. Occasional tours with Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band have broadened Jake's experience, regularly exposing his virtuosity and charming stage presence to crowds of up to 50,000. Speaking of large audiences, Jake has also performed on national television shows such as NBC's The Late Show with Conan O'Brien, The Today Show, and Last Call With Carson Daly, as well been featured on NPR's Morning Edition and World Café, Public Radio International's The World, The Bob Edwards Show (XM Satellite Radio) and others.
Selection as the spokesman - three years in a row - for Hawaii Tourism Japan's (HTJ) campaign to market Hawaii to Japan, as well as his frequent tours of the island nation, has made Jake Shimabukuro a household name in Japan. "Rainbow," a track from Walking Down Rainhill, was selected as HTJ's theme song as well as the official Honolulu Marathon theme song in 2004. In 2006, the Gently Weeps track "Beyond the Break" was selected as the Marathon's theme song and was played as Jake crossed the finish line upon completion of his first marathon run.
In his spare time Jake often visits schools to talk with and play music for the children of Hawaii, hopefully inspiring thousands to put their energy into learning about and playing music. In fact, Jake is the key spokesman for the "Music is Good Medicine" foundation, which uses community outreach programs - and visits to schools, senior centers, and hospitals - to emphasize the importance of a healthy life and mind as well as promoting music and the arts.
Jake's collaborations and special projects are varied. He's toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and recorded on their Little Worlds (2003) album. Jake was also featured on Ziggy Marley's Grammy-Award winning Love is My Religion (2006). Since Jimmy Buffet made Jake a semi-regular member of his Coral Reefers band Jake has appeared on three of their CDs as well as two DVDs. At the end of 2008, he was a guest artist on Yo-Yo Ma's holiday album,Songs of Joy and Peace. Their collaboration on the John Lennon/Yoko Ono tune "Happy Xmas [War is Over]" will be part of Jake's forthcoming album of Beatles covers, Across the Universe (the title track of which features Cyndi Lauper).
In addition, Jake is making a name for himself as a film composer. His work with Buffett led to his contributions to the soundtrack of the Buffett-produced film, Hoot. Shortly afterward, Jake scored the hit Japanese independent film Hula Girls (the soundtrack album was released in the U.S. on Hitchhike Records in 2007). Jake also recently completed writing and recording the score for the Japanese version of the film Sideways.
Energy, imagination, and innovation have been Jake's keys to success. He plans to continue recording, performing, collaborating, and staying happy. "I love what I do. I'm forever thankful for music."
08.08.2008
"The dawn of this third great ukulele era can be traced to 2006, aficionados say, with the appearance of a video on YouTube by Jake Shimabukuro, a Hawaiian-born ukulele player.
- Allen Salkin
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07.20.2008
"With Arthur Godfrey and Tiny Tim gone, Jake Shimabukuro might just be the best ukulele player on the planet. Joking aside, he would have been the best even if both singers were still around, since they used the uke more as a prop than a proper instrument.
- Ed Symkus
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06.18.2008
"Climbing onstage with a ukulele in hand is a great advantage with an audience, Shimabukuro said, because "they have such low expectations." Well, we won't get fooled again. After his first set, Shimabukuro had the entire festival swooning over how this was the best performance of the first five days of the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
- Jeff Spevak - Staff Music Critic
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06.9.2008
"And boy, can he play ukulele. His chords are as inventive as his solos are blazing, and he moves effortlessly between the two. So original is his style that he's finding himself called the Jimi Hendrix of the uke, although the moniker makes the self-effacing Shimabukuro uncomfortable"
- R.J Klimpert READ MORE
06.1.2008 "The buzz caught Jake Shimabukuro completely by surprise. It had been just another videotaped interview in Central Park and then he was off to his next tour stop."
- Danny Carnahan
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05.12.2008 "You've never heard a ukulele player like Jake Shimabukuro. Or maybe you have. At last count, the view total for Jake's YouTube performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was more than 2.1 million -- roughly the same number of notes and moods he flawlessly conjures from just four strings."
- Matt Walker
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Aloha, Jake... Congratulations on being asked to play for Queen Elizabeth II. You make us all proud of you. Best Wishes during this holiday season and every other day.
Hi Jake, You are a great musician. I'd like to say you influenced me on my ukulele playing, but i'm not good enough to say that seriously. But thanks for the inspiration, i truly love your music.
i'm from lexington,ky & jake is playing there monday night. woodsong is always fun. wish i could be there. if anyone has extra tickets please let my brother, his wife & daughter go.......they are on the wait-list & wishing to go.............i hope he gets to go see jake
DUDE!!! Great show tonight in lexington!!! I was blown away!!! Thanks for signing my uke!!! I've been practicin' a ton so maybe one day i'll open for you!!! (With a freebird/stairway to heaven cover) HA! You're an inspiration!
Whats up Jake! Such an inspiration man cant even tell you. Everyone i play your music for is absolutely blown away! Anyway i just wanted to tell you how awesome it would be if you got your Peace Love And Ukulele logo made into STICKERS. thats so cool and it would look awesome on the back of my truck. Keep up the good work and hey, let me know when you come to Boston. We are missing you up here
Jake, thank you! I wanted to learn an insturment, something different. And i heard not only you but Aldrines music. You guys are truly amazing. Im practicing a little each day now. Everytime a friend tells me "Wtf you wanna learn ukulele for" i show them one of your vids, some still deny the greatness. But thank you =D