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Friday, December 31, 2004

Happy Birthday, Tappy!

We wish Bill Tapia a very, very happy birthday tomorrow (January 1, 2005): 97 years of proof that playing the uke makes you handsome, charming, and enduring.

Much aloha to you, Bill! Link

 
posted by Gary at 1:34 PM permalink
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Frisky Frolics

Our latest find, courtesy of a review of a documentary film about the band in the East Bay Express. From the band's official bio:
"The Frisky Frolics are a wily 5-piece, ukulele-driven outfit specializing in long-forgotten musical gems of the 1920-30’s. These self-described Tin Pan Alley Troubadours have lovingly mined through their 78 record collections and come up with a lively and varied set of songs, combining favorite familiar standards such as 'Louise' and 'Paper Moon', with obscure and novelty numbers like, 'Cake Eatin’ Man' and 'I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate'.


Voted “Best Band for the New Depression” by the Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay, 2001 and; SF Weekly Wammie Nominees, the Frisky Frolics continually perform their “new” musical discoveries to a growing legion of enthusiastic fans from their home base, The Rite Spot in San Francisco."

Link
 
posted by Gary at 1:07 PM permalink
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And While We're Singing "Happy Birthday"...

Happy 3rd B-day to these dudes.
 
posted by Gary at 12:42 PM permalink
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Thursday, December 30, 2004

News From the North

Manitoba Hal sez:
"Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you know that the website for the Great Canadian Ukulele Expo has been updated. The site has been changed to reflect the new year, photos from last year have been added, proposed lineup for this year is online, proposed outline of events is online, a list of hotels in the Winnipeg area (close to the expo), how to get to Winnipeg if you want to attend and more.

Surf on by and take a look!

Hal"

Link
 
posted by Gary at 12:06 PM permalink
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Sweet Mama "T"

Looks like Janet Klein might have some friendly East Coast competition. Meet Sweet Mama "T", aka Lauren Thompson. She and her Red Hot Sugar Babies are appearing tonight, December 30, 2004, at Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues in Asheville, NC. (Btw, one of the aforementioned Sugar Babies is noneother than Lin Llewellyn of Hula Cats fame.) Link
 
posted by Gary at 11:47 AM permalink
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Monday, December 27, 2004

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Playing and singing this Frank Loesser classic, perhaps?
 
posted by Gary at 4:18 PM permalink
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Friday, December 24, 2004

Merry Christmas!

All of us here at Ukulelia wish you and your family the merriest of Christmasses. We hope that Santa drops a new uke in your stocking tonight...or at least a pitchpipe or new set of strings!

If you're playing Santa this year, please be sure to let your uke-gift-recipient know about Ukulelia and the wealth of information about ukuleles freely-available on the Web.

To quote the original Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one".

Peace,

Mark Frauenfelder and Gary Peare

 
posted by Gary at 11:46 AM permalink
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Thursday, December 23, 2004

Ukulele Poo Na Na

Manitoba Hal sez:
"This will be the site of all the updates for the upcoming Great Canadian Ukulele Expo 2005 May 7, 2005. I will be posting new information about the expo, info about the ukulele circles at Sled Dog Music and notices about upcoming ukulele events in the Winnipeg area. Uke on everybody!"
Link
 
posted by Gary at 5:11 PM permalink
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Ukulele Disco Holiday Show Update

Uke Jackson sez:
"just thought to let you know that, while last night's streaming was a bust, jason tagg has posted clips from the midnight ukulele disco tv show on line...


Happy Everything to Everybody!


uke jackson



 
posted by Gary at 5:05 PM permalink
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Non-Profit Seeks Uke Donation

Attention Colorado ukers: Spellbinders, a non-profit storytelling organization, is seeking the donation of ukulele this holiday season. Now you have an excuse to buy another one! Contact Al Dietsch locally at 922-1444 or via email. Link
 
posted by Gary at 9:59 AM permalink
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Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Christmas Ukulele Disco

Sonic Uker Jason sez:

"Hey its Jason ... not sure if the Ukulele Disco 'spam engine' :P is working so I though I'd send another quick note to say that we're doing a special Christmas Ukulele Disco tonight. The live webstream and chat board should be up and running too if you want to join in live :)"PS. Ted's doing Jingle Bells and naked ukelele guy ...



9.30pm Tuesday Minnesota

10.30pm Tuesday New York/Philadelphia/Ohio

3.30am Wednesday UK

4.30am Wednesday Paris

4.30pm Wednesday New Zealand"

Link
 
posted by Gary at 1:53 PM permalink
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Tim's 'Tonight' Nuptials

Oops, we missed the 35th anniversary of Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki's wedding on the Tonight Show (December 17th)... Link
 
posted by Gary at 10:32 AM permalink
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Monday, December 20, 2004

"Grow Old With You"

One of the Web's best places to find uke arrangements, Ukulele Boogaloo has a nice version of Adam Sandler's "Grow Old With You" from "The Wedding Singer." Link

Also, only one day left to enter the Uke Boog Sweepstakes!

 
posted by Gary at 5:24 PM permalink
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Bill Robertson's Wife in the News

"The Rock" behind "Rock that Uke": nice profile of Bill Robertson's wife, Claire Pomeroy, Dean of the UC Davis Medical School, in the Sacramento Bee today. Link
 
posted by Gary at 4:49 PM permalink
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Saturday, December 18, 2004

Big Ed's Band Foundation


At 6' 3'' and 345 lbs., Edwin Mulitalo may literally be the biggest thing in ukedom since Bruddah Iz. The uke-playing Baltimore Ravens guard established Big Ed's Band Foundation, which supports instrumental music programs in the Baltimore area.

Next Tuesday, Ed will be a guest performer at Dunbar High School's Annual Christmas Concert:


December 21, 2004

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Dunbar High School

1400 Orleans Street

Baltimore, MD

Be sure to check out the Photo section of the foundation's site for pix of Ed and his intrument of choice. Link
 
posted by Gary at 10:58 AM permalink
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Friday, December 17, 2004

Kalaka Ensemble

This morning's amazing find? A Hungarian band with a serendipitously Hawaiian-sounding name. The Kalaka Ensemble sets poetry (by Hungarian poets as well as others) to folk arrangements. One of their records, Ukulele, has as its title track, a setting of the poem by Tibor Simko. (Although, what I'd like to learn is Hol a Nadragom?.) Link
 
posted by Gary at 9:22 AM permalink
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Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Uke Jackson and Friends Webcast

Uke Jackson sez:

"The Delaware Water Gap Ukulele Guild, with special guests, will
broadcast a live holidaze set on WNTI 91.9 FM in Hackettstown NJ,
Tuesday [today!] at 3 pm Eastern US time. It can also be heard live webcast by
clicking WNTI.
 
posted by Gary at 9:50 AM permalink
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Monday, December 13, 2004

Amber Nash

Amber Nash, a uke musician, has a new site, with music and photos. Link
 
posted by Mark Frauenfelder at 2:54 PM permalink
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John King - Profile

Bananaslug served up this nice little profile of classical uke virtuosos John King today. Link
 
posted by Gary at 12:50 PM permalink
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Saturday, December 11, 2004

$22 Uke Kit

 Grizzlycom Pics H H3125Make a uke from this $22 kit. I might get one of these and give it a custom paint job. Link (Thanks, David!)

UPDATE: Once you buy your kit, be sure to check out Dom's experience building his here.

 
posted by Mark Frauenfelder at 10:12 AM permalink
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Friday, December 10, 2004

Hanapepe Dream

Taj Mahal has been touring around with his Hula Blues Band in support of his CD Hanapepe Dream.
"All-Acoustic String Band Sound Features Taj's Signature Slack-Key Blend of the Blues and Pacific-Caribbean-Island music. The American release of Hanapepe Dream offers bonus video footage including live performances of The Calypsonians and The New Hula Blues. Stereophile wrote, "Taj Mahal's genius is in seeing the unlikely connections between disparate genres, and on My Creole Belle he seamlessly adapts Mississippi Hurt's country blues to a ukulele arrangement. The beautiful melody has a swaying, antique character in this ingenious setting.
Check out the track samples at this link, especially Jimi's Along the Watchtower and Hurt's My Creole Belle. The latter seems to be Hurt's arrangement of this tune (chorus with lyrics is on index page 7).
 
posted by Gary at 3:58 PM permalink
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Thursday, December 09, 2004

Baby, It's Cold Outside

In the charming holiday move Elf, ukulele sweetheart Zooey Deschanel croons "Baby, It's Cold Outside," which prompted me to think that this would make a swell uke duet. Here come the lyrics and chords. Link
 
posted by Gary at 2:56 PM permalink
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Mayes Ukes

Check out the inventive (and patent pending!) compensated saddle on John Mayes's ukuleles.
"The C, E, and A strings resting on a fully angled/compensated saddle the intonation will be spot on, but here is the best aspect. The G string will rest on either a forward or rear positioned, user moveable, small saddle to allow for correctly intonated high and low g tunings on one instrument. And since I’ve filed for a provisional patent you can only find this saddle design on Mayes Ukuleles. Now you can switch between high and low G tunings without sacrificing intonation."
You have to look closely at the Features page on John's site to see how this works, but what an elegant solution! Tune it or die! Link
 
posted by Gary at 2:33 PM permalink
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Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Seven Degrees of Bill Robertson

I'm a big fan of the Coen Brothers' and Sam Raimi's films. We were watching Miller's Crossing last night and as the credits rolled I caught a familiar name: Rock That Uke Daddy Bill Robertson, who, it turns out, has done voice work for several Coen and Raimi films.

Let's hope that Bill's paean to the uke inspires Joel and Ethan to do for the ukulele what they did for Old Timey music with O Brother...!

 
posted by Gary at 9:26 AM permalink
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Monday, December 06, 2004

Or Maybe They Were Smokin' Mistletoe...

Ah, it seems Santa's elves may have been nipping the eggnog again this year. And what to our wondering eyes do appear, but these amazing, one-of-a-kind beauties:
A Jack Skellington Nightmare Before Christmas Camp Uke from Dave Talsma
The Creature From the Black Lagoon Uke, also by Dave (More pix on Frets.com)
The Bacon & Eggs Fryingpan Uke from Tony Graziano
And for the Jack Sparrow on your list, this Pirate Uke, also by Tony
Excuse me. I've got to revise my letter to Santa...
 
posted by Gary at 2:38 PM permalink
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Bernard Viguie

The New Yorker recently profiled Israeli-Dutch singer and songwriter Keren Ann. Apparently several of her tracks feature ukulele backing (what The New Yorker's Sasha Frere-Jones calls "the least depressing instrument known to man") provided by Bernard Viguie. (About the only thing I've been able to learn about Bernard is that he is primarily a left-handed bass player.) You can hear a brief clip of his playing on Spanish Song Bird on Keren Ann's CD Not Going Anywhere. If you know any more about Bernard, please drop me an email.
 
posted by Gary at 2:20 PM permalink
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Petty Booka Tonight (12/6/04)

If you're in or around the San Francisco Bay area, tonight is your last chance to catch the Petty Booka Christmas Show. The Japanese Uke-Pop duo will be appearing at Biscuits and Blues at 8:30. Old Puppy opens. Link (Thanks, Otto!)
 
posted by Gary at 11:49 AM permalink
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Friday, December 03, 2004

Jumpin' Flea Circus Players

Here's a new uke club in Los Angeles that I know nothing about other than that they've got a great logo. (Of course, as a circus guy, I may be a bit biased...) Link
 
posted by Gary at 9:33 AM permalink
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Thursday, December 02, 2004

Ukulele Christmas Music, 2004

Time to hang the mistletoe and get ready for all the adoration sure to come your way when you serenade holiday revelers with your uke. Here for your convenience are direct links to just about every Christmas song imaginable (or at least those that we could think of and find on the Web). Browse around and you're sure to find chords, lyrics and tabs (tablature) for your favorite novelty song or carol.



From Risa, makers of the swell Uke Solid
Compiled by Jerry Dallal
From Dominator
From John King
From Joseph Todaro, father of the Akulele
Mele Kalikimaka (low G arr.) from Mark Occhionero!
From UFO of Marin
From The 4th Peg
From Ukulele Boogaloo
Courtesy of Fleamarket BB Posters, tips for jazzing up Jingle Bells!
From The Guitar Guy, Christmas Standards

If you know of any others, please drop me a note. Mele Kalikimaka!

 
posted by Gary at 4:17 PM permalink
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Stocking Stuff!

Here's the perfect stocking stuffer for the Ukulele Ike fan on your "nice" list this year! Check out the whole line of Ukulele Ike Fan Club merch from the folks over at The 4th Peg. Link
 
posted by Gary at 4:03 PM permalink
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The Case for Holiday Generosity!

Roy T. Cone is selling spiffy new uke cases on UkuleleWorld.com. Sez Roy:
"Most uke cases look like they were designed by a Mortician. And the uke is a fun instrument and sticking it in a blaw looking case just don't seem right...."
Shown at left is "The Islands" model. Also available is a blue denim model and the tres retro "Tin Pan Alley" model wrapped in hemp-colored canvas. All feature plush lining and would make a great holiday gift (no gift wrapping required!). Link (Scroll down)
 
posted by Gary at 3:40 PM permalink
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UKE MUSIC BOOKS

Ian Whitcomb Songbook Arranged for Ukulele and Easy Keyboard

Jumpin' Jim's Gone Hawaiian

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Tips 'n' Tunes

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Favorites

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Gems

Jumpin' Jim's '60s Uke-In

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Spirit

Jumpin' Jim's Camp Ukulele

Jumpin' Jim's Gone Hollywood

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Beach Party

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Solos : 15 Chord Solos Arranged by the Ukulele Jazz Master

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Herb Ohta

Jiminy Kokopo's Ukulele Sing and Strum Fun Book

Roy Smeck: Ukulele Method

UKE HISTORY BOOKS

The Ukulele: A Visual History, by Jim Beloff

UKE VIDEOS

Bob Brosman's Ukulele Tunes and Techniques: Hawiian and American Styles

Jumpin' Jim's Joy of Uke

Ukulele for Kids: Volume 1

Ukulele for Kids: Volume 2

UKE CDS

Cliff Edwards: Singin' in the Rain



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Boing Boing
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FAVORITE UKE SITES
Flea Market Music
Best source for songbooks and the incredible Fluke ukulele. (Seen below.)

Flea Market Music

Kamaka
One of the best uke makers around.

King David Ukulele Station. Like Ukulelia, only in French!

Ukulele Hall of Fame Has a large catalog of books, music, videos, ukes and other stuff. All proceeds go to support the mission and activities of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum.

Uke Hunt News, tabs, lessons, forum...the works! From across the pond.

UkeFarm The home of UkeFarm Radio! Tabs, too.

Ukulele Diner The Happy Fun Ball of ukulele sites!

UKE DISCUSSION BOARDS
UkeTalk
Flea Market Music Bulletin Board
Collectors Uke Yak
Ukulele Madness

UKULELE SOFTWARE
Guitar Learning Uke Software
Ukepix
Fretboard PalmOS App

UKULELE MAKERS
Talsma String Instruments
Kawika
Ko`olau
Mele
Marc Silber Music
Maui Music
CF Martin
Young Handcrafted Ukuleles
Pegasus Guitars and Ukuleles
Uke Brand Ukes
Lehua Ukuleles
Shimo Guitars
3rd Wave Ukuleles
Kanile'a Ukulele
Timberline Ukuleles
Beltona Resonator Instruments
Earnest Instruments
National Resophonic Ukuleles
Hana Lima 'Ia Ukulele Making School
O Kona Ukuleles
GString Ukulele Co.
Risa Musical Instruments
Tony Graziano Ukuleles
KP Ukuleles
Island Ukuleles
Talsma String Instruments
Glyph Custom Ukes
Moore Bettah Ukes

UKULELE INFORMATION
Tiki King's Ukulele Stuff
Brudda Bu's Ukulele Heaven
The Ukulele Freedom Front
Vintage Guitar Information
Honolulu Star Bulletin
The Banjo Ukulele
Ukulele World
Ukulele Klubben
Bounty Music Ukulele Links
Ukulelink
NALU Music
Ukulele Strummers

UKULELE DEALERS
Island Legends
Harp Depot
Ukulele House
Mandolin Brothers
Elderly Instruments
Vintage Instruments
Vintage Instruments in Philadelphia
Buffalo Brothers
Gruhn Guitars
Roy T. Cone
Stringed Instrument Division
Coconut Grove Music
Island Guitars
Bernunzio Vintage Instruments
Barbara's Guitars
Bounty Music
Freedom Guitar Inc.
Homewood Musical Instrument Company
Lahaina Music
Play It Again Sam
Spruce Tree Music and Repair
Ukulele Made In Hawaii
Ukulele
Guitar Tex
Uke Lady Music

UKULELE INSTRUCTION
ezFolk.com
Jerry Moore's Ukulele Made Easy
Jazz Improvisation Primer
Laiya and Louis Ukulele Chordfinder
Tim's useful Uke chord site
1914 Ukulele Instruction Manual
Chord Generator
HUI Ukulele Instruction
Ukulele Instruction Videos and Songs
Yahoo's Music Theory Section

Tab-U-Learn Uke Tabs

UKULELE PEOPLE
Howlin' Hobbit
Uke Jackson
Cliff Edwards - Ukulele Ike
Ian Whitcomb.
The George Formby Society
Hal Brolund
Roy Sakuma
Miner Museum
King Ukulele Webworld
Shorty Long - the official website
Ukulele Club of Ventura County
Ralph Shaw - King of the Ukulele!
Brooklyn's Own Ukulele Lady
Robyn's Ukulele page
Ukelin
Hawaiian Storyteller "Uncle Charlie"
Da Barefoot Warrior
Joanna Spinoza
Joe Zsigray's Ukulele Page
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
uke Fink
Jerry Dallal's Uke Page
Wink's Webpage
Jake Shimabukuro
Robert Armstrong
Bill Tapia
Janet Klein
James Hill
Dan Scanlan
Trefor Bazett
Paul Moore
Metropolitan Ukulele Association
Lil' Rev
Waste of Aces
Bliss Blood
Tokyo Ukulele Afternoon Club

UKULELE MUSIC AND HAWAIIANA
Flaming ukulele radio hour
Hawaiian Music Island
Aloha Plenty
Hawaiian Slack Key & Ukulele
NahenaheNet, The Sweet Sound of Hawaiian Music.
Hawaiian Music Guide
MGC Records Hawaii
Ukulele Beatles Fun!
Booklines Hawaii

Top 50 Ukulele Sites


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