He now shares the music of Hawai‘i and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops. The son of `ukulele legend "Ohta-san," he started playing at the age of three, and teaching at the age of nine. Influenced by Jazz, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music, he puts his stamp on Hawaiian music by pushing the limits of tone and technique on this beautiful instrument.
International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific `ukulele masters. Their debut album, "Trio", was released in 2019.
His most recent project features his trio, including bassist Nolan Verner and guitarist Dave Preston playing an eclectic mix of originals, pop covers, and Hawaiian music. Jake is also featured on Ziggy Marley's Grammy-Award winning Love is My Religion (2006), as well as on three CDs and two DVDs by Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band. Also joining Jake in the recording studio was renowned pop singer Cyndi Lauper. He also collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma for a single track on the Grammy-Award winning cellist's album Song's of Joy & Peace (2008). He's toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (2002, 2005, 2006) and recorded on the band's Little Worlds (2003) album. He rose to fame by becoming one of YouTube’s most popular artists, performing his arrangement of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, watched by millions. His other teachers include Herb Ohta Jr., Tracey Terada and Roy Sakuma. At age six, Shimabukuro started taking lessons at Roy Sakuma’s ‘Ukulele Studio under the instruction of Tami Akiyama (Omuro). Shimabukuro now performs and records on a tenor Kamaka ‘ukulele. Shimabukuro’s mom started teaching him on a standard sized Kamaka ‘ukulele at the age of four. Jake Shimabukuro was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and is a Japanese/American ‘ukulele player and composer known for his high-energy and enthusiastic strumming. Sakuma continues to dedicate his life to helping children heal by speaking about his struggles, saying that it is easier to strengthen children than it is to fix a broken adult. He uses music, including songs he has written, to help children accept themselves and find their inner strength. The Roy Sakuma Productions record label is home to an eclectic, refreshing collection of musical styles. Award winning artists include Ka’au Crater Boys, Ohta San, Herb Ohta Jr., Noel Okimoto, and Holunape.
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Ukulele Festival Hawaii produces free ukulele festivals and provides scholarships for Hawaii’s youth.Īs a producer of award winning albums, Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the versatility of the ukulele to a much wider audience. In 2004 Roy & Kathy established Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a nonprofit organization, to continue their life’s work of preserving interest in the ‘ukulele and spreading the joy of the instrument. Roy’s teaching methodology is unique and revolutionary, allowing anyone to learn and play music with the ‘ukulele. Since 1974 Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the joy of the ‘ukulele to thousands of students in Hawaii with the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios.