Uke Millennium

A newly discovered Uke Blog. "These days, you gotta play fast and pack light."Link

Flea at the Gates

Uke Jackson, with Pineapple Flea, at Christo's The Gates.

Ukulele Jam IV

From the Star Bulletin:

"Oahu-born musician Daniel Ho performs in Saturday's [March 26, 2005] Ukulele Jam IV at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, and will also teach anyone who wants to learn to play or improve their skills, while introducing KoAloha's new six-string D6 ukulele.[check out that flame!]"

Link

"Father of Canadian `Ukulele" Named Member of the Order of Canada

James Hill checked in recently with this story:

"Just thought you might like to know the latest on Canadian uke legend Chalmers Doane (if you didn't know already). He's been named a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to education and the arts! Very high praise and very well-deserved. It's nice to see such recognition of Chalmers' outstanding work.
"

There's more information on James's newly re-designed website. Check it out! Link

Folk Uke NEWS

From the Folk Uke site:

On May 3rd the "Sh*t" hits the fans! Folk Uke will release the long-awaited self-titled, debut CD featuring 8 songs that will make you laugh, cry and wonder why...

Folk Uke is Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson. Link

NPR : Singing in the Key of Science

Some of my favorite people in the world are physicists. They always seem to be among funniest and most creative people I know. And here's more proof. NPR's All Things Considered did a story yesterday on Professor Walter Smith from Haverford College who serenades his students with educational ditties on his baritone uke. Link

Holiday Inn TV Spot Features Spiffy Uke Track

I caught a new Holiday Inn TV commercial the other night that featured a charming solo uke music bed. An email to the gracious folks at Fallon Worldwide, Holiday Inn's advertising agency, pointed me to the track in question. Entitled "Cowpoke", it's written by the mysterious "Willi Andrea." Who is Willi? Is this Willi himself playing? If anyone knows, drop me a line and tell me. I'd love to have the tab for this!

Here is a link to the track, which is stock music licensed by DeWolfe Music. Link (Thanks, Brenna and Rosemary!)

Jake's Blog?

Is Jake Shimabukuro blogging? If you read Japanese, drop us a line and let us know what this is! Link

Aloha: Bandleader Martin Denny dies at 94

We're sad to learn of the passing of the great Martin Denny. More proof, however, that an 'ukulele-and-mai-tai lifestyle is the ticket to longevity. Link

If you're on Oahu on Saturday, March 12, the Elks Club is planning a fitting send-off...

UPDATE: Here's a link to a story about the memorial service. Link

Ukulele Babylon Tomorrow!

Otto reminded me to remind you...

Ukulele Babylon

Sat, Mar 5

7:pm

$8 advance / $10 at the door

A UKULELE GET-A-WAY!--FILM AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT A HAUNTED LODGE.

On Saturday, March 5th at 7:00 PM something scary is going to happen at
The Brookdale Lodge and it has nothing to do with the ghosts that are
said to lurk the halls. It will be an Invasion of Ukuleles!!!

Ukulele Babylon will kick off with a screening of the alt uke
documentary, ROCK THAT UKE, followed by 6 live acts that know how to
take a uke on the wild side.
Beau Vine, Ukulele Babylon's organizer as well as performer in the
show, says that ukulele music is entering a new renaissance fueled
partially by an explosion of acts that are taking the instrument in new
directions.
"There is a growing alternative uke scene in California and beyond with
wildly creative artists and it is right under people's noses!"

Artists scheduled to play are Tippy Canoe, The Oliver Brown Trio, Tiki
King and the Idol Pleasures, The UkeAholics, and Beau Vine (The Atomic
Bard). Making a special trip to participate will be ukulele legend and
Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist, Ian Whitcomb.

The Brookdale Lodge is a historic lodge built in 1890 that features and
tranquil brook running through its charming dining room and is rumored
to hold the spirits of approximately 49 former guests. The lodge is
nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is an hour and twenty-minute
drive from the Bay Area. Room rates begin at $79 per night. Please let
the staff know you are booking the room for UKULELE BABYLON.

Link
(Thanks, Otto!)