Vocalist

Shimabukuro combines the qualities of a long line of virtuoso ukulele players with modern rock musicians to create a sound that’s uniquely his own but still firmly grounded in Hawaiian tradition. He has redefined the ukulele, incorporating elements of thoughtful, sophisticated arrangements with spontaneous improvised passages. His seemingly limitless vocabulary, on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments, has brought new appreciation to the four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.” Get ready for some holiday fun sprinkled with a little Hawaiian tradition.

EPSG:4326

School Day Performance for Grades K-12: Holidays in Hawai’i

University of Michigan

Known for his lightning-fast fingers, Shimabukuro saw his career skyrocket two decades ago when his video of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was posted on YouTube without his knowledge and became one of the first videos to go viral on the platform. His seemingly limitless vocabulary, on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments, has brought new appreciation to the four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.” Beloved for his open, magical, and transcendent connection with audiences, Shimabukuro draws on a vibrant catalog of holiday classics for this return appearance, performing alongside Jackson Waldhoff (bass), and Justin Kawika Young (vocals and guitar).

Vocalist

Justin Kawika Young

Events

Past events

9 - 20 Dec, 2023

School Day Performance for Grades K-12: Holidays in Hawai’i · University Musical Society

Dec 8, 2023

Holidays in Hawai’i Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele · University Musical Society

About

Justin Kawika Young hasn't added a bio