The Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele for Christmas
Fox Tucson Theatre
Tucson, Arizona
11/26, 2023
by Mary Andrews
It was two years ago when Jake Shimabukuro brought his Christmas tour to Tucson. The 40 something year old ukulele virtuoso has performed here many tines over the years and the fans welcome him with enthusiasum every time. Shimabukuro started playing the ukulele at the age of four along with other instruments,. Shimabukuro revealed that his first band was called Pure Heart. His career exploded when a fan posted a video of him on YouTube in 2006 playing George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The video became a viral hit and Shimabukuro became an international sensation.
Shimabukuro brought an old school chum and bass player, Jackson Waldhoff and singer, composer, and guitarist, Justin Kawika-Young, on this tour. Young’s vocals added tremendously to the scope of the show. He mentioned Donny Hathaway early in the set as he introduced “This Christmas.” It seemed his vocals had the same quality of Hathaway’s vocals. Young has worked extensively wiith Colbie Cailiat in the past. He also has written some of the songs on Jake’s new album incliuding “Grateful.”
The opening song was “Eleanor Rigby” that was given Shimabukuro’s finese and creative musical exploration. He typically holds his instrument close to his heart with the care of a newborn baby. However, the notes he pulls from the instrument is not as tender. He extracts notes that one normally could not imagine coming from a four string ukulele. He’feels’ the music as much as the fans hearing the music. It’s obvious that he is a big Beatles fan since he covers many of their songs.
Shimabukuro greeted the energetic fans, “Hello Tucson. It’s so great to be back. This is one of my favorite places to play. We have a brand new album out called Grateful and we will be playing tunes from that as well as some Christmas music.
The show had several Christmas songs, but the music featured a well rounded repertiore of great interpretations of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “A Place in the Sun,” and “Try to Love One Another.” They started Little Drummer Boy” Beatles style heavy on Young’s bass in the beginning of the song. However, Shimabukuro’s brilliance was demonstrated throughout the song that had the fans giving the star a standing ovation. There were many well-deserved standing ovations during the show. Don’t miss Shimabukuro when he comes to town!
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