The simplest way to prove to the world that an instrument rocks is to play an actual rock song on it.
This is not rocket science. It worked for the banjo a decade ago when the Gourds famously covered Snoop’s “Gin and Juice” (hip-hop, sure, but boasting just as much street cred). It would work for the cowbell if somebody cool would put out Clangin’ to the Hits.
It’s certainly been working for the ukulele, thanks to Petty Booka’s ukulele Ramones and Blondie covers, Mirah’s “Dancing in the Dark” and many more.
Most of these, though, are practically novelties. The only artist who has successfully brought virtuosity to his ukulele rock covers is Jake Shimabukuro, who plays the Rio this week. And in the process, he’s changed the way the world hears the ukulele.
On his newest album, Peace Love Ukulele, Shimabukuro does it again, rendering sprawling, soaring versions of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Unlike the fun but limited “hey look, I’m playing a ukulele!” vibe of many uke covers, the 34-year-old, Hawaiian-born Shimabukuro imbues his instrumentals with a gravitas that has notched up not only the instrument’s cool factor but its respect among serious musicians. He gives this same reverential treatment to songs as varied as the Beatles’ “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” And he’s just getting started.
“There are so many great tunes out there. I love covering tunes that were written or performed by my favorite artists,” says Shimabukuro. “Covering a song of your favorite artist is like wearing your favorite basketball player’s jersey.”
Despite the fact that his covers will most likely always be most listeners’ introduction to his work, it’s his own songs that keep fans hooked. The lush strumming and impeccable sheets of notes on tunes like “143 (Kelly’s Song)” from the new album demonstrates why. There simply isn’t anyone who brings this level of technique and emotive power to the ukulele.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Shimabukuro sees a potential in the instrument that has never previously been considered. Make no mistake, the title of his record is not a joke.
“I hope to inspire more people to take an interest in the young instrument,” he says. “I believe the ukulele is the instrument of peace. If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place.”
There’s also a certain democratic quality that he sees in his instrument of choice.
“The ukulele is probably one of the easiest instruments to play,” he says. “Anyone can pick it up for the first time, learn a couple chords and immediately start strumming songs. It’s so relaxing. I always tell people that playing the ukulele is like an entire yoga session in one strum.”
Shimabukuro didn’t come to this philosophical and technical place with the ukulele overnight. In fact, he’s been playing since he was four. In his early twenties, he was a member of the popular Hawaiian trio Pure Heart—since Hawaii was the birthplace of the uke, having developed it from a local take on the small, guitar-type instruments brought to the islands by Portuguese immigrants, finding one in a pop trio isn’t as odd as mainlanders might think.
By 2001, he had gone solo. But there’s something about his newest record that simply seems more epic than his past work. As it turns out, that’s by design.
“I had a lot of fun putting things together for this album. I really took my time with this one and tried to present the ukulele in ways that were fresh and exciting,” he says.
Certainly few were likely expecting “Go For Broke,” a bittersweet melody overlaid with military drums. The phrase was the motto of Japanese American soldiers in World War II, and Shimabukuro, who is Japanese American himself, wrote the song as a tribute, and they couldn’t ask for a more moving one.
Perhaps more than anything, that’s the key to Shimabukuro’s success. He’s brought a new level of visibility to the ukulele in pop culture with the evocative quality of his performances—whether he’s playing a Robert Plant song, or his own, he makes listeners feel the ukulele.
“I hope the emotions expressed in the music will connect people and make them realize that we all feel the same things—we just express them differently,” he says. “I believe music is the greatest gift—and the ukulele is the friendliest way to present that gift to the world.”
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
Tuesday, July 12, 8pm
Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Tickets $$25
