Sunday, April 24, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Reno Ukulele Festival Kicks Off
By Greg Olwell
One of the largest events in the ukulele scene kicked off today in Sparks, Nevada. The 2016 edition of the Reno Ukulele Festival features workshops from many of the most recognizable names in the community and many exhibitors showing off not only great instruments, but the powerful entrepreneurial spirit that flows through the scene.
Once we got settled in at the booth after driving from the San Francisco Bay Area, it was time to check out the festival. First, we made the round at a few of the exhibitor booths, located on the second floor of the Nugget Casino. Many of the booths were from companies located within a short drive of the event and it's events like these that can help small one- or two-person businesses meet the scene's enthusiastic players.
One of the first we spoke to was TyDe Music, founded by makers Devin Price and Tyler Joersz in nearby Lake Tahoe. The group was recently featured in the Reno Gazette-Journal for its work, which includes making ukuleles from reclaimed local woods, including using wood taken from boards of an old Tahoe pier! They also showed several other ukes, some of which had elaborate laser engraving from the company's Julian Sander. One that caught our eye was the Learner uke. These ukes feature laser engravings of chord charts on the side, notes on the fingerboard, and a rosette showing you the Circle of Fifths.
Uncle Joe of Carson City, Nevada specializes in cigar-box ukes and sells matching amps. The ukes, which also have Joe's homemade pickups, sell for $150, while the amps are $85. He's working on a website at the moment, but in the meantime you can reach him at jrdesignsnv.com
Even from yards away, you can see that design is important to Iriguchi Ukuleles' founder David Iriguichi. His ukes have an especially clean look, from nearly no adornment, to “green” finishes. His Keystone ukulele is his signature model and he showed off a few of the possibilities he's explored, including a 5-string that had both a low-G and a high-G and tenor with a poplar back and a gorgeous straight-grained redwood top. The redwood uke was powerful and bright, while the 5-string's have-it-all approach with the G string was great for strumming.
Of course, it's not all about gear and delightful ukes, the Reno Ukulele Festival is also about playing and workshops. The workshops will really happen tomorrow, but there were a handful today and they were kicking into gear as more and more attendees arrived throughout the day.
When people weren't gathering to play songs together, they were attending classes from people like Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Dani Joy, and others, who didn't hold classes so much as made it easy and fun for people to play. And usually what happens is they kind of trick you. One minute they have you play along to a I-VI7-ii-V chord progression, then before you know it, you've learned how play rhythm changes and can now strum through literally hundreds of jazz, pop, and theme song classics.
They make it easy and fun and the classes were fun and meaningful.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Happy Birthday to Tiny Tim
By Greg Olwell
It was one minute and forty-eight seconds of bizarre and memorable music when Tiny Tim's ukulele-driven hit “Tip-toe Thru' the Tulips with Me” swarmed radio and television in 1968.
Born Herbert B. Khaury in New York City on April 12, 1932, Tiny Tim went on to become a household name through his regular appearances on late night television in the late-'60s and throughout the '70s.
“Tip-toe Thru' the Tulips with Me,” a cover of a song originally released by guitarist/singer Nick Lucas in 1929. Tiny Tim was passionate about early works in the American Songbook and was a genuine expert in repertoire and performances from the first half of the 20th century.
On his version, Tiny Tim takes Lucas' falsetto singing on the original recording to new heights, ratcheting up the vibrato and pitch to create a singular recording. But it was his appearances on variety shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (seen here) and his historic ratings-topping wedding The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson that made the left-handed strummer (in)famous.
The video seen here is from Tim's third appearance on Laugh-In, complete with removing the ukulele from a shopping bag before playing and Tim's own feel to the song.
No doubt, Herbert Khaury remains a polarizing figure among players. On the one hand, he cast a large shadow and many of us ukulele players have had to endure comparisons to Tiny Tim, but on the other hand, he was a talented, driven performer who treasured the ukulele, keeping the flame alive for the little uke.
The voice, the hair, the stage presence, Tiny Tim had it all. God Bless Tiny Tim-and happy birthday.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Throwback Thursday with Jesse Kalima (Includes Video)
By Marcy Marxer
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2013 issue.
Many years ago a friend gave me a cassette tape of a bunch of old recordings of 78-rpm records he had collected. There was no written information on the cassette, but it was full of fantastic music of many musical genres, including a magnificent solo ukulele version of the John Philip Sousa march “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The ukulele playing was inspired: the notes flew by at blistering speed, and the player harnessed the excitement and enthusiasm of an entire brass band all on a small ukulele.
This ukulele player was clearly special. He was the best of the best, but who in the world was he? How could I find him? That was back before the Internet, when the best way to search was to knock on doors, ask questions, or look in record stores. I asked record collectors, radio DJs, and other folks in the know, but they didn't know who had played that glorious ukulele solo.
Fast-forward to the present, and when I was asked to write an article for Ukulele, that wonderful version of “Stars and Stripes Forever” came to mind. This time I searched the Internet and YouTube looking for the original recording, but it did not appear. My last resort was to write to my friends the Hula Honeys-Ginger Johnson and Robyn Kneubuhl. The Hula Honeys are great musicians who play ukulele, baritone ukulele, and tenor guitar. They live on Maui, where they perform and host a radio show of music from the islands. I got notes back from each of them within minutes with the original performer's name: Jesse Kalima. Finally, the source of the original recording was uncovered.
Behind “Stars and Stripes”
With Jesse Kalima's name in my grasp I was able to find more information on his life and career. He made several records, some with Herb Ohta, Lyle Ritz, and other ukulele virtuosos, and some with his family. All are fantastic!
Hoping to find out more about him I searched the WhitePages. Several Kalimas showed up in and around Honolulu, including one very special name, Jesse Kalima Jr. I picked up the phone and called. Jesse Kalima Jr. was indeed the son of the ukulele virtuoso Jesse Kalima and was happy to talk about his father, his playing, and the children he raised and inspired.
“Music was always a part of our family life,” Jesse Jr. recalled. “All of my brothers and sisters-six of us-grew to become accomplished musicians, singers, and dancers in their own right. I was fortunate to play professionally in my dad's band when I was 17 and recorded with him in succeeding years as well as on a few movie gigs. My brother Dana Kalima played the drums.”
Uke Innovations
Jesse Kalima was born in 1920 in Honolulu. He attended Farrington High School where he played in the orchestra and school band. Kalima loved all the marches he learned in the band. As soon as he learned a march on the tenor saxophone and clarinet, he went home and figured it out on the ukulele.
At the age of 17, Kalima entered Arthur Godfrey's Amateur Hour at the band shell in Honolulu, dressed in a white suit with black pants and wearing a flower lei. Kalima won the contest playing “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and ukulele playing changed forever. He single-handedly pushed solo ukulele playing further than it had ever gone before. Kalima's version of “Stars and Stripes Forever” quickly became a hit recording and a goal for ukulele players to try to play.
Kalima also pushed the boundaries of the ukulele by experimenting with the tuning of the strings. He moved from the soprano ukulele to his favorite uke, a Martin 14-fret tenor that he outfitted with a pickup of his own invention. (Kalima may have been one of the first people to amplify a ukulele.) He was also the first known player to change the tuning of the ukulele from re-entrant or high G C E A to low G C E A, lowering the pitch of the fourth string one octave. Dropping the G string down an octave gave the ukulele a warmer sound, especially on the Martin tenor, and allowed lead lines to include lower notes.
Family and Friends
In 1938 Jesse founded the Kalima Brothers Band and gave the band the nickname “One Thousand Pounds of Melody.” With the band, Jesse continued to bring new kinds of music to the ukulele repertoire. The band performed songs like “Jealousy,” “Dark Eyes,” and “Under the Double Eagle.” The Kalima Brothers also played with Richard Kauhi, who was 14 years old when he met Jesse. They played together for life. The band did many variety shows with other great musicians and comedians, including Little Joe Kekaoha and Johnny Waikiki.
Kalima also struck up a friendship with actor Richard Boone (Have Gun-Will Travel). They were known for their humor and mischief when together. One day on a whim they bought a bunch of ukuleles and took them to the local school in Nanakuli, Hawaii, and passed them out to the kids just for fun.
There was always music and merriment in the Kalima family garage. Friends and even celebrities would stop by any time of the day or night to see if there was a party going on, and there usually was. The Beach Boys were regular visitors to the family home. Once while visiting the Kalima family, the Beach Boys carried the piano from the garage all the way to the large banyan tree in Waikiki to play for passers-by and pass the hat for change.
Kalima also ran a small ukulele shop and snack stand across from the Waikiki pier and across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. He sold children's size ukuleles for $5, soprano ukuleles for $8.50, and tenor ukuleles for $25, as well as hot dogs, candy, and other snacks.
Kalima passed away of a heart attack in 1980 at the age of 60. That day he played a company party with Little Joe, friends, and family and went to see a Don Ho show in the evening. His son Jesse Jr. says, “He died doing what he loved.”
I hope you enjoy my arrangement of “Stars and Stripes Forever,” which was inspired by Jesse Kalima's. Thank you to Jesse Kalima Jr. for his time and generosity of information as well as the joy with which he spoke of his father, family, and friends.
Click here to see a video performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Marcy Marxer is a multiple Grammy winner, multi-instrumentalist, session musician, teacher, and producer/engineer, who studied ukulele with Roy Smeck in the early 1980s.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Paris, Waikiki, Montreal and More: 6 Not-To-Be-Missed Summer Uke Festivals
BY JENNIFER LOGUE
From the Summer 2016 issue of Ukulele
Summer is full of possibility and even more so when you're a uker. It's the ideal instrument for travel-lightweight, friendly, and capable of fitting in just about anywhere.
This summer, there are ukulele festivals across the globe for players of all experience levels and backgrounds. So update your bucket list, check those frequent flier miles, and start scouring the web for deals cause these six ukulele festivals are not to be missed.
PARIS UKULELE FESTIVAL
May 12–14
Paris, France
What to Expect: You will definitely get your uke's worth at the three-day long Paris Ukulele Festival. Taking place at La Bellevilloise, a restaurant and live music venue, attendees can expect ukulele open mics, workshops, special performances, raffles, and-of course-the très jolie ambiance that is Paree.
What to Wear: The weather in Paris is pretty mild in May, with temperatures ranging from 45° to 60°F. Paris is one of the most chic cities in the world for fashion, however, so steer clear of being too casual for this festival. A simple t-shirt and jeans can be instantly dressed up with a smart blazer. Aim for comfort, but with urban finesse.
What to Do: Plan to spend at least a week in Paris to fully enjoy the city beyond the festival. From the Louvre to Musée d'Orsay, the city of lights is an art lover's dream. If you get hungry, stop by Marché Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement, which was frequented by Hemingway in A Moveable Feast.
GERALDINE UKEFEST
July 8–10
Geraldine, New Zealand
What to Expect: Technically, it's winter in New Zealand, but Geraldine-a picturesque village in the heart of the Canterbury region-is hardly a bad way to spend your summer vacay. The Geraldine Ukefest kicks off a day of workshops followed by a performance by the Te Pahu-based ukulele band Apron Strings and an open mic. Saturday's big event is the Nukes vs. the Big Muffin Serious Band, a battle between two of New Zealand's premier ukulele bands.
What to Wear: With temperatures averaging 50° in July, Geraldine will have you reaching for your warmest sweater, but don't forget to pack your favorite hat, wig, and lei-this is a kooky uke fest, after all.
What to Do: Geraldine is a prosperous farming area at the foot of the wild Southern Alps, making it an ideal place to eat local, then burn off those calories on the ski slopes. It's also an artistic haven, so save room in your luggage for souvenirs of the arts and crafts variety.
UKULELE FESTIVAL HAWAII
July 17
Waikiki, Oahu
What to Expect: It's no surprise that one of the largest international ukulele festivals takes place in Hawaii. Every summer, the Ukulele Festival Hawaii draws an average of 20,000 to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. And though the festival is only one day, the celebration of the official state instrument spreads far beyond as ukers take over the city that entire week. In addition to a star-studded lineup of performers, the festival includes free ukulele lessons, instrument giveaways, and excellent local food. Poke, anyone?
What to Wear: Temperatures reach an average of 80° in Waikiki in the summer and can get pretty humid, so best to keep cool with loose, flowing clothes made of cotton or linen. Be sure to pack a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunblock as well to prevent sunburn.
What to Do: Waikiki is right on the beach so be sure to carve out some beach time to swim in the warm, clear Pacific. If you're a water baby, try surf lessons, parasailing, and snorkeling with dolphins. If you're craving adventure on dry land, do a bike tour of Oahu or take the Kamaka tour (see page 58 for a feature on the company's centennial).
UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN
June 17–19
Cheltenham, England
What to Expect: Now in its seventh year, the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain attracts top talent like the Ooks of Hazard, Jane for Tea, Uff & Zaza, the Jive Aces, and many more. Spanning over four days in the beautiful English town of Cheltenham, the festival features workshops, parties, a formal concert at the Cheltenham Town Hall, and an open mic.
What to Wear: With temperatures averaging 60° for June, you can't go wrong with jeans, a Hawaiian shirt, and a hoodie. You'll be walking a bit, as the festival is broken into different locations, so pack sneakers.
What to Do: Cheltenham is known as the “garden town of England” and in between enjoying the festival, you should take a stroll through a few botanical points of interest including Imperial Gardens, Montpelier Gardens, Pittville Gardens, and Sandford Park. Now you have four more reasons to pack sensible shoes!
MONTREAL UKE FEST
August 13
Montreal, Canada
What to Expect: Presented by the Ukulele Club of Montreal, this day-long event takes place at the hip local music venue La Sala Rossa and features performances and workshops. While this year's lineup has not yet been announced, the 2015 festival included uke sensation Julia Nunes, former Ukulele mag cover artist Victoria Vox, and Japanese artist Ryo Natoyama.
What to Wear: Temperatures reach an average of 80° in Montreal during the month of August, but can drop to as low as 60° at night, so be sure to layer. In this fashionable, French-speaking city, you can go from playing uke in Parc Lafontaine to dining by candlelight to dancing till the wee hours at a nightclub. Come prepared.
What to Do: Embrace your inner history buff and check out Old Montreal, one of the most historic urban areas in North America with buildings dating back to the 17th century. There are a number of excellent museums and galleries in this part of town as well. After all that walking, treat yourself to big plate of poutine-fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.
OYAMA UKULELE FESTIVAL
August 27–28
Oyama, Japan
What to Expect: Part of a larger Aloha Festival, which celebrates various facets of Hawaiian culture, the Oyama Ukulele Festival takes place an hour and a half north of Tokyo. Get to know the rising stars of Japanese ukulele with performances by MeiWataru YamaRyo, Tomoki Sato, Gensblue, and more.
What to Wear: It can be unbearably hot and humid in Japan during the month of August and, given the festival is largely outdoors, you'll want shorts and sandals.
What to Do: Oyama is a small city-by Japan's standards-with a branch of the Watarase River flowing through the center of the city. Nearby city Nikko boasts ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, but if you're looking for more excitement, head to Tokyo, which will be buzzing with street festivals and evening fireworks.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)