Celebrated Musician Jake Shimabukuro to Perform at Pepperdine University
Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro, one of the most exceptional and innovative ukulele
players in the history of the instrument, will bring his virtuosic playing to Pepperdine
University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu to kick off the 2021–2022 season at the Lisa
Smith Wengler Center for the Arts on September 21 and 22 at 8 PM.
Every major artist has that one defining album or performance, but for ukulele master Shimabukuro, his entire career has been filled with such magical achievements. Shimabukuro’s wholly unique approach to the ukulele started early. As a youngster growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, Shimabukuro started playing the instrument at the age of four, learning the basics from his mother, Carol, and then developing his craft further by studying the likes of musical masters such as Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San, and Peter Moon. As he matured, Shimabukuro also found inspiration from guitar players, drummers, pianists, and singers. Even athletes helped fuel the intensity of his artistic fire.
As a member of the group Pure Heart, Shimabukuro became a local phenomenon. From Hawaii, his fame soon spread to Japan. He was signed to Epic Records (Sony/Japan) in 2001 as a solo artist. In 2005 Shimabukuro became an international phenomenon when a video of him performing his deeply beautiful and original take on the George Harrison song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral on YouTube.
As soon as music fans got a listen to Shimabukuro’s virtuosic approach to the ukulele, they were hooked. Throughout his rich and varied catalog of albums, Shimabukuro captures the many moods of the ukulele, fearlessly traversing boundaries and putting his inspired touch on everything from island standards, to popular tunes and classical symphonic concertos. Albums such as Gently Weeps, Peace Love Ukulele, and Grand Ukulele are noted for their dazzling fretwork, ambitious repertoire, and wistful melodicism, and topped the Billboard World Music Charts. As a live performer Shimabukuro became one of the hottest tickets around, headlining the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House (he even performed for Queen Elizabeth II) while making frequent appearances on media outlets like The Today Show, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
He has collaborated with artists from Yo-Yo Ma, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson, and Cyndi Lauper to Ziggy Marley, Dave Koz, Lyle Lovett, and Bette Midler, and wowed audiences at SXSW, Bonnaroo, the Playboy Jazz Festival, and the cutting-edge TED conference. This year he founded Shima Ukulele with his brother, a fellow artist and teacher, Bruce Shimabukuro, which aims to make quality ukuleles accessible for anyone interested in learning to play.
In 2016 Shimabukuro recorded the all-original Nashville Sessions at Music City’s famed Ronnie’s Place studio with producer R.S. Field (Steve Earle, Webb Wilder) and the ace rhythm section of bassist Nolan Verner and drummer Evan Hutchings. Now he has returned to the same city and studio—and with the same gang, too (augmented by guitarist Dave Preston)—for his newest record, The Greatest Day, which was released on August 31, 2018.
The 12 studio tracks that comprise The Greatest Day feature some of Shimabukuro’s most imaginative and adventurous playing yet. Half of the album is devoted to originals, on which the instrumentalist reaches new heights of compositional distinction. And on the covers, Shimabukuro's prodigious skills allow him to transcend his material—no mean feat considering some of the classics and standards he’s tackling.
Ticket prices range between $10 and $40. For additional details, and to purchase tickets, visit the Lisa Smith Wengler Smith Center for the Arts website. Information regarding the University’s 2021–2022 ticketing policies and health and safety protocols is also available on the Center for the Arts website.