CLAYTON -- Jake Shimabukuro's philosophy is simple: "If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place," he says.
But Shimabukuro - a 34-year-old Hawaiian - does more than play the ukulele. In a little more than a decade, he has redefined the traditional four-string, two-octave Hawaiian instrument, stretching and molding it into a complex and bold new musical force.
Shimabukuro (pronounced she-ma-boo-koo-row) brings his "uke" to a sold out crowd at The Clayton Center on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. There are a limited number of standing room only seats at $12 each for the event. They can be purchased by calling 553-1737, going online at www.theclaytoncenter.com or by phone at The Clayton Center box office located at 111 E. Second St. from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pollstar Magazine once said of Shimabukuro: "Jake Shimabukuro is a ukulele player. But that's like saying Les Paul liked to monkey around with guitars."
Shimabukuro began playing the ukulele at age 4. He skyrocketed to fame when appeared on a New York TV program performing a cover of The Beatles "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in Central Park. The performance quickly went viral and ultimately received more than six million page views on YouTube. Prior to the Central Park appearance, his mainstages were Honolulu coffee shops and venues, and a few well-received solo releases helped him earn some fame on the island.
Since then, he has toured with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones and Jimmy Buffett and has shared the stage with Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Cyndi Lauper and Ziggy Marley. He's made numerous TV appearances and his most recent album, "Peace Love Ukelele," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard World Album Chart.
Whether he is performing an original composition or his own arrangments of such classics as Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," it is apparent that Shimabukuro has a unique talent.
Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder once said of the ukulele master: "Jake is taking gthe instrument to a place that I can't see anybody else catching up with him."
