The 2nd Annual Jake Shimabukuro & Friends Concert

This show was amazing! My favorite pieces that he played were «Missing Three,» «Dragon,» and all of his covers. His band mates complemented his playing and also held their own very well. I’d love to see Jake perform in a smaller venue, like a jazz club. Not that the Blaisdell was awful; it would just be cool to hear him in a more intimate setting.

There is nothing like watching Jake turn a classic ukulele into electric guitar. There is a reason this guy is a uke legend. He does not talk much, as he mostly lets his uke speak for him, but when he does, his stories are awesome. He’s also super friendly and humble. Thanks Unilocal for hooking it up!

This was my first time seeing a concert in the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Jake was awesome and the performance with his friends was such a treat; I’m so glad I was able to see him perform live.
The show was filled, but wasn’t totally packed so it wasn’t completely uncomfortable. I loved the commentary and stories Jake shared in between songs and found it awe-​inspiring that he toured 49 of the 50 states! Amazing. My favorite songs of the night include: Gentle Mandolin and Blue Roses Falling.
Thanks to Emi and Unilocal for the tickets and to Julia for rounding up all the yeeps and passing out tickets. It was a great night with the performance and hanging out with the group and grabbing a bite to eat after.

Jake makes an ukulele sing. One if the few I know that if you were to ask him to play a song, any song off the top of your head, he could do it, and he’d make sure to amaze you! The concert included a few more musicians that accentuated Jake’s uke as it proceeded to be used in ways only this ukulele savant could.
What’s best about Jake and this concert was that he was using it to promote relief aid for children affected by typhoon Haiyan. Pure aloha that guy. Much mahalo to Jake for being an aloha ambassador and to Unilocal for sharing his talents to local helpers.

JAKE, the ukulele wonder who has traveled around the world, toured in 49 states (except South Dakota), who got peed on by his newborn son, the one, the only Jake Shimabukuro!!! I used to listen to Jake when I was homesick and cold in college up on the mainland. I would listen to him and his single ukulele, playing chords against the rainfall. I could just close my eyes, as I did last night, and just, LISTEN. not to distractions, just be in the moment. I’ve followed Jake throughout the years, so it was a real treat to see him on stage jamming. It is incredible that he carries a whole show on the ukulele. You thought you couldn’t get a full body workout just playing ukulele, just check that guy jamming!
Its cool and all that he tries to imitate Van Halen and do all kinds of things that you never knew an ukulele could do but I’m a bit of a traditionalist and appreciate the traditional ukulele sounds. His hana hou song, Akaka Falls, and his melancholy, almost sad, haunting tunes got me thinking all kinds of things, imagining the story behind the music, just like a VH1 behind the music special. Ha.
Its nice to see how he has evolved throughout the years, and hearing him live (and sounding just like his cd, but better of course) is quite a feat considering the musicians nowadays who can’t BRING IT live. Also enjoyed the songs Blue Rose and Gentle Mandolin, written for his son. Jake was hoping one day that he would become a «gentle» man. I appreciate good talent, but even more, good, honest, genuine people. Refreshing.
Thanks to Emi H. and Julia S. for the tickets to this event!

My ears didn’t really believe it was one instrument most of the time. They insisted it must be a trick… Would have been fun to have a pair of binoculars like the family seated in front of me, so I could see his fingers move.
Some of the songs were so sweet that I was lulled into a half sleep. But I always woke up to applaud! One of my favorites was Three String Missing which is played on only three strings (plus some more on the bass guitar). Super talented ukulele player, there’s no denying that. And a great selection of songs. Sometimes the lights (different colors depending on the song, they danced along with his music) shone straight into the audience though which was a little unpleasant.