Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro is a Honolulu-born ukulele virtuoso who stretches the instrument across jazz, rock, classical, blues and traditional Hawaiian music. He first reached a global audience with his expressive take on George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” a performance that introduced many listeners to the ukulele’s range beyond its familiar Hawaiian sound. His recordings include the collaborative album Jake & Friends, featuring artists such as Willie Nelson, Bette Midler and Jimmy Buffett, and he has also worked with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Shimabukuro’s music brings nimble technique and a broad musical vocabulary to a four-string instrument, making each familiar style feel newly open to discovery.