In 1964, when he heard a hit song, "Sushi", by master ukulele virtuoso Herb "Ohta-San" Ohta, he sought him out and became an avid student. Roy wore out the frets of his ukulele, practicing eight to 10 hours a day. At the age of 16 he set out to become the best ukulele player in the world. Learning from Ohta-San opened up a whole new world for him. Soon Ohta San asked him to teach his classes while he went on tour in Japan. Roy immediately discovered that his true calling was not in performing but in teaching. When Ohta San encouraged his young protege to venture out on his own, he didn't follow in Ohta San's footsteps as a performing artist. Instead, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to teaching. Roy taught for Ohta-San and Kamaka Ukulele until he opened his first of four teaching studios, Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, in 1974.

Links:

• The Hawaiian Music Directory - link
• The 37th Annual Ukulele Festival, Kapiolani Park Bandstand (Waikiki), Sunday, July 22, 2007, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

  Since 1971, Roy Sakuma and his sponsors have been keeping the ukulele alive and well by presenting the Annual Ukulele Festival.

  Presented every July at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, it is by far the largest of it's kind in the world, attracting an audience of thousands to a free two-hour concert that showcases the finest ukulele players, along with national celebrities, Hawaii's top entertainers, and an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 students, mostly children.

  In 2004, Roy and Kathy Sakuma established Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a charitable non-profit organization.

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“Derick plays and sings with fire. His amazing facility and sheer virtuosity are only surpassed by his boundless heart and soul. He is incredibly entertaining to watch and listen to.”

Tommy Hopkins
Producer, composer, guitarist

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In 1990 he discovered the ukulele and along with it a love of some of the great songs of the 20s, 30s and 40s. His grandfather owned a 1920’s ukulele and this was probably Ralph’s earliest inspiration to play the instrument which the Hawaiians call the Jumping Flea.

In 1998 he released his first CD King of the Ukulele (a collection of his favourite songs of the Tin Pan Alley era). It was received to critical acclaim from both customers and the media.

His second CD Table For Two came out in 2002. This production, which features several songs written and co-written by Ralph, has also had regular play on national CBC Radio. Ralph Shaw CDs & purchase info

Ralph spent the years 2003 to 2005 focussing his energies on teaching the ukulele. Adult classes were taught at Vancouver’s Moveable Music School and many workshops were taught at festivals all over North America. He also taught a regular class of Kids at the Wondertree Learning Centre. Products of his teaching time include 3 best-selling Ukulele DVDs: The Complete Ukulele Course (on DVD, VHS or CD-Rom!) (2003), The Complete Ukulele Course for Kids (2004) and the NEW DVD! Essential Strums for the Ukulele (2005). The DVDs are distributed to stores all over the USA, Canada and Europe.

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Our goal, where it is a book, CD, DVD or web resources, is to "raise the bar" in quality of material offered to musicians across the globe. Each topic is covered from A to Z.

As a musician (guitar, bass and ukulele) I have over 40 years playing experience in a variety of styles and s settings, most notably jazz.

As a private music teacher and educator Curt maintains a teaching schedule avergaing between 40 and 60 private students a week.

Click here for a list available guitar, ukulele and music workshops and clinics.

As an educator Curt presents ukulele workshops and clinics at various ukulele festivals through the year.

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Bruce has his own band called Bruce Shimabukuro Band. Their mission is to spread the spirit of Aloha through their music. Their live performance is fun and comfortable like you are with friends at home. They have successful live performances in Hawaii and Japan already.

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Known for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake Shimabukuro is a master of the ukulele. The 28-year-old virtuoso shatters musical boundaries. Not only does he play styles previously "taboo" on the four-string, two-octave instrument, but also he is creating music never before thought possible. While Jake has great respect and love for traditional Hawaiian ukulele music, his mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more.

“Jake’s natural musicianship, powerhouse technique and infectious energy will open you up to a whole new world of musical experience.” - Steve Sano

Jake Shimabukuro's Equipment Picks

from Acoustic Guitar By Danny Carnahan

• custom Kamaka Hawaii four-string tenor
• D’Addario J71 Pro Arté tenor ukulele (.0290, .0410, .0327, .0285 gauges).
• custom Kamaka Hawaii four-string tenor
• Fishman undersaddle guitar pickup and Leon Audio Active DI
• Analysis Plus Pro Oval Studio cable

(Video) Jake - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Click on image to play

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Shorty Long is a five piece string band with roots in the Novelty Jazz styles of the 20th century.

Shorty Long is from Austin, Texas.

Shorty Long listens to Charlie Christian, Ukulele Ike, James Brown AND the Misfits.

Shorty Long is available for clubs, corporate events, private parties, weddings and hangin's.

Shorty Long likes ukuleles, Western movies, the Simpsons and Tastykakes.

Shorty Long would like to meet your sister.

Shorty Long cures depression.

Shorty Long is high in fiber and low in cholesterol.

Shorty Long thanks you for visiting our site.

• 'Pops' Bayless -ukuleles, banjo-uke, vocals
• Mysterious John - vocals, kazoo
• 'Just Plain Bob' Guz - ukulele, vocals
• Mark Rubin - upright bass, tuba, vocals
• George Carver - lap steel, guitar, harmonica

More information available on artists's web site.

Royinvented the Vita-Uke marketed by the Harmony Company. Here is a company making a tribute to the Vita-Uke: link

Ukulele Method For Chord and Melody Playing. By Roy Smeck. For Ukulele (Soprano). Method. All Styles. Level: Multiple Levels. Book. Size 8.75x11.75. 48 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (93461) See more info...

Roy Smeck: The Wizard Of The Strings In His Life And Times By Vincent Cortese

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Fred offers a wide range of method books, note for note transcriptions, and fun and challenging arrangements. All Fred's books have tablature unless otherwise noted. Most have standard notation as well

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