Monday, January 24, 2011

Hawaii's ukulele sensation, Jake Shimabukuro performs at UNCW for what is sure to be an awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping performance at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 in Kenan Auditorium as part of the UNCW Arts in Action Performance Series. 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 instrument is capable of so much more than the traditional Hawaiian music many associate with it.

Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOO-koo-row) is fast becoming recognized as one of the world's top ukulele musicians. Here in Wilmington, where the sub-culture of four-string fans meets regularly in classes at the North Carolina Ukulele Academy, to have Jake Shimabukuro performing locally is a highly motivating treat. Renowned for lighting-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Shimabukuro captivates crowds wherever he appears with his intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying, high-energy grooves and smooth, melodic ballads evoking heartfelt emotion.

A long-time Beatles fan Shimabukuro's cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps "went viral on YouTube and has now been viewed by more than six million viewers across the world. In addition, Shimabukuro's collaborations are many and varied: He's toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and recorded on their Little Worlds (2003) album. Shimabukuro 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, Shimabukuro has appeared on three of their CDs as well as two DVDs. He has also performed with the likes of Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Bobby McFerrin, Les Paul, and Stanley Clarke, just to name a few.

As his stature grows in the music world, Shimabukuro continues to impress and stretch boundaries with each new release. He is starting 2011 by releasing a new album on Hitchhike Records, "Peace Love Ukulele." With drums, bass, and even orchestral strings filling in the spaces behind the ukulele, his newest album conveys the complete musical vision of one of the world's most original talents.

Despite his ongoing success, Shimabukuro remains humble and admittedly "awestruck" by how his love of the ukulele has propelled him to such great heights. For that, he gives full credit to the instrument he's played with a passion since he was 4. "The ukulele is the instrument of peace," he says. "And if everyone played one, the world would be a better place."

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $22 for the general public; $18 for senior citizens and UNCW employees; $8 for non-UNCW students; and $6 for UNCW students. Group discounts are available. Tickets are available by visiting www.etix.com or calling Kenan Box Office at 910.962.3500. Box Office hours are noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and one hour prior to the event.

About UNCW Arts in Action Performance Series
The Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the Wilmington community through the presentation of diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. The series is supported by grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources; South Arts Dance Touring Initiative, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council; South Arts; and the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts. For more information, visit www.uncw.edu/presents .