Ukulele loses ‘oddity’ tag in player’s hands

Published 4:39 pm Thursday, October 11, 2007

Jake Shimabukuro: One of the top ukulele players is building respect for a small four-string two-octave instrument usually considered an oddity, not something that could produce “serious” music.

Called the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele, Jake Shimabukuro, has built an all-star reputation on lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques.

He performs Oct. 13 in Edmonds.

Shimabukuro started performing in a Honolulu cafe but a rapid rise in reputation has earned him time at the top clubs, Seattle’s Bumbershoot arts festival and the Fuji Rock Festival, as well as tour time with Jimmy Buffett and Bela Fleck.

The energetic, imaginative and innovative musician was also featured on Ziggy Marley’s Grammy-winning “Love is my Religion.”

On the CD “My Life,” he performs new ukulele arrangements of his favorite tunes by Sarah McLachlan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Cyndi Lauper, as well as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Don Firth, Bob Nelson: At long last, the two traditional folk music singers are having a reunion concert. Firth and Nelson were known for their duets in Seattle’s University District in the late 1950s, performing at the university and coffeehouses. Firth is now 76 and Nelson is 70. They would “sing for five bucks a night for anyone who’d pay us,” said Nelson, who lives in Everett.

“We’ve revised those duets and it’s amazing. They’re just as vital and vibrant today as they were then. Even better. Our wives have been listening to us practice and say, ‘My God, we still get goosebumps.’ “

Hip Hop Live! Breaking Point Dance Company returns to showcase some of the best moves and music on the Northwest hip hop scene. BPDC promotes the positive aspects of hip hop culture through music and dance. The group has performed on “Showtime at the Apollo.” The adult dance crew qualified this year to represent the U.S. in the World Hip Hop Championships.

Pat Monahan: The frontman for the Grammy-winning band Train is on his first solo tour with his debut solo recording, “Last of Seven.” He’ll be backed by a full band. And no, the Train isn’t broken. Monahan just wants to spread his musical wings.

Ozzy Osbourne: Love him or hate him, Osbourne continues to be a force. The frontman for Black Sabbath, which helped create the heavy metal genre, will share the stage with Rob Zombie. In May, Osbourne was honored at the annual VH1 Rock Honors. Zombie was founder and frontman for the heavy metal group White Zombie. He’s also directed films.

Andrea Parkins: The avant/jazz accordionist plugs her squeezebox into her laptop and creates a hybrid creature. Also on this bill of electro-acoustic music are Seattle’s experimental trumpeter Lesli Dalaba (Yellow Hat Band) and veteran electronicist Rob Angus, a veteran of Seattle’s electronic scene.

The WIYOS: Ragtime, gospel, country blues, swing, hillbilly music and some vaudeville are in the mix for The WIYOS, who play old-time music with a 1920s sense of show. The band’s name is taken from the toughest gang to prowl the lower Manhattan streets in the late 1800s.

Out and about: The Water Music Festival (800-451-2542) takes place at several Long Beach Peninsula locations Oct. 19 to 21. Talent includes celebrated pianist Alan Hong, the Crystal Chamber Soloists, Joan Doan with his rare 20-string harp guitar, and Willie &Lobo.

Concert notes: The rock band Interpol (Oct. 18, WaMu) came out of the New York post-punk revival … Australian Pink Floyd returns (Oct. 17, WaMu Theater) to keep the music and spirit of Pink Floyd alive and strong … The funk and R&B group Average White Band is still touring (Oct. 18 to 21, Jazz Alley).

Where to hear it

Jake Shimabukuro: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N; $30, $28 seniors and adult students with ID, $15 youth; 425-275-9595.

Don Firth, Bob Nelson: 2 p.m. Oct. 14, Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave., Seattle; $10, children $5.

Hip Hop Live! 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave. NE, Shoreline; $12; 206-417-4645.

Pat Monahan: 9 p.m. Oct. 13, Showbox at the Market, Seattle; $25; 206-628-0888.

Ozzy Osbourne: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, KeyArena, Seattle; $48.75-$78.75; 206-628-0888.

Andrea Parkins: 8 p.m. Oct. 18, Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. (fourth floor), Seattle; $5-$15.

The WIYOS: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $15; 206-528-8523.