Monday Exposure: Shigeto Takahashi

Shigeto Takahashi – 12th Street Rag (mp3)
Shigeto Takahashi – Lover (mp3)
You can download a bunch more on the mp3 page of his website.

This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned Shigeto Takahashi, but he’s been a busy chap since then. He’s played his uke on top of Mt Fuji, at Yosamite, and at Nikko. He’s recorded an album’s worth of material. He’s produced tabs for the Japanese ukulele magazine Rolling Coconuts. He’s been on a mini US tour after Mike DaSilva was so impressed with his playing he invited to perform in Berkley.

And little wonder. Shigeto plays with tremendous verve and has an irresistible charm. His repetoire is largely the traditional ukulele music, but he injects it with a new spirit and vigour.

It’s great to see how successful the ukulele is in Japan. I wish I knew more about what was happening on the Japanese ukulele scene. Maybe I should learn Japanese. How hard can it be?

His website.
His homemade tabs page
His YouTube page.