After years of being promised, the Jake Shimabukuro tab book is finally on the way. It’s for his latest album, Peace, Love, Ukulele, but does have his arrangement of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Jontom has released a new ebook 50 Licks for Ukulele. Ukulele juggling (via @WillGroveWhite). Pierce Brosnan endorses Kamoa (via Ukulovely). The […]

That crack when Steve Martin stands up after singing Tonight, You Belong to Me? It’s the sound of a foot going through a Martin ukulele. I wrote a bit about ukulele songs and cultural appropriation. The short version: the mock-Hawaiian songs from the early years of the ukulele-boom are really horrid. Amazon US are offering […]

Ukulele Hall of Famer and world’s oldest performing professional musician, Bill Tapia has died at the age of 103. Ukulelists paying their respects include Ralph Shaw, Lil Rev and Bartt. You can read an interview with him on Fretboard Journal and watch a clip from his documentary. Kimo Hussey present a TV show dedicated to […]

Videos: Jake plays and answers questions on livestream (thanks to Phredd). Incredible clip of Laura Dukes on iPlayer (after a minute of Alexis Korner) (thanks to Bossarocker). Live ‘Ukulele interview James Hill. I’ve been over exited about the release of John King and Jim Tranquada‘s The ‘Ukulele: A History for what seems like years. And […]

Daddystovepipe has released his follow-up to Fingerpicking Blues ebook. You can pick up a copy on his website. I’ve been working my way through it and, just like volume one, there’s a tone of stuff to cut your teeth on. An interesting article looking at ukulele sales. It includes chats with Mike ‘Kala’ Upton and […]

A bumper collection of ukulele songbooks for ukulele clubs. If you’re looking for something topical, Hull Ukulele Group has two Halloween/Guy Fawkes themes songbooks. The Martin Tiple blog is turning up some fantastic vintage pictures and clips. Well worth following. Heart Strings – it’s being made into an animated film and she’s looking for ukulelists […]

Ukulele documentary, The Mighty Uke is going to be touring Europe with James Hill appearing at the UK dates. New releases: Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra have a new EP out, Givers’ In Light is finally out in the UK, Shelley O’Brien’s Vivarium. Videos: Is this a solid electric ukulele in the 50s? (Via Alex), Lorraine […]

Some tunes you may wish to bone up on before the big night. Addams Family Theme Tune Chopin – Funeral March Dance Macabre Ghostbusters (Duet) The Gothic Archies – Freakshow Halloween Theme Harry Potter – Hedwig’s Theme London Bridge Is Falling Down (From Halloween) The Misfits – Dig Up Her Bones The Misfits – Halloween […]

Germans in Grass Skirts?: A history of Martin ukuleles (Via @UkeTeeCee). David’s official uke rules. Including: – Don’t say you play the ukulele if you just own one and don’t touch it. – Don’t be an overly happy asshole – Don’t constantly flit around reminding everyone you play the ukulele… – …Unless you’re James Hill. […]

100 ukulele players help to open the Rugby World Cup. Charlie McDonnell has become the first UK vlogger to cross the million subscribers mark and the press coverage has really focussed on his uke playing. Including on ITV’s Daybreak (another video here if you’re outside the UK). Ukulele for Dummies has picked up its first […]