As a work at home mom, I don’t get out much to do fun things.

So it was quite a treat, this past Wednesday night, to meet ukulele virtuoso, Jake Shimabukuro, for the second time. I met him 2 years ago after his performance at a local jazz club.

I told Jake that I wished I had brought my ukulele and he said to bring it next time. Who knew if there would be a next time?

If you don’t know who Jake Shimabukuro is, check out this YouTube video of his version of “As My Guitar Gently Weeps”. It’s what made him famous.

His impromptu performance in New York’s Central Park was uploaded when YouTube just started and has been viewed over 9 million times!

Watch it and tell me if it doesn’t bring a smile to your face.

When you think of the ukulele, you probably don’t have high expectations. After all, people usually equate it with Hawaiian music.

But Jake is different. He plays the ukulele as if it was a guitar – a jazz guitar, flamenco guitar, etc.

He even has a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Thriller”. And he writes his own music too, of course.

He’s super talented and awe-inspiring, giving new life to the ukulele, as a stand alone instrument.

Read the complete article posted by @livingrichlynow at Living Richly on a Budget

http://soundcloud.com/dj-dain/dont-worry-im-yours-mashup#zoomed-artwork

Don’t Worry, I’m Yours

posted by DJ Dain

LIVE FROM KOKUA FESTIVAL 2010 “BREAKDOWN” FEATURING JAKE SHIMABUKURO & JACK JOHNSON

@JakeShimabukuro @JackJohnson

Back in 2010 Jake performed at the Kokua Festival in Honolulu, HI. If you were there you may remember Jake performing “Breakdown” with Jack Johnson. On April 17th, the live performance recording of “Breakdown” will be available on the “Jack Johnson and Friends - Best of Kokua Festival” album. The proceeds from the album will go to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. via chyoro