News & Events

Ukulele Star Jake Shimabukuro to Perform at UNC Asheville

January 5, 2011

Jake Shimabukuro, who takes the ukulele beyond its traditional reach by playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco and rock, will bring his unique uke music to UNC Asheville at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, in Lipinsky Auditorium.

Shimabukuro began his career playing coffee shops in Honolulu, and by the age of thirty, he was touring and recording with Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band. He's also performed with Bela Fleck, Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Cyndi Lauper and Ziggy Marley, and played on network television as well as NPR's "Morning Edition" and "World Café."

Shimabukuro's nine albums have garnered numerous awards from Na Hoku Hanohano, the Hawaiian counterpart to the Grammy Awards, including five Instrumental Album of the Year awards and two Favorite Entertainer of the Year awards. He has also received Best Film Score, Best Ukulele, Best Rock Album, Ukulele Album of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year from the Hawaii Music Awards, a people's choice award program organized by the Music Foundation of Hawaii. Shimabukuro is a spokesperson for "Music is Good Medicine," touring tours schools, hospitals and senior centers around Hawaii to promote healthy lifestyle choices and a strong community through the power of music.

Tickets for the UNC Asheville performance are on sale beginning the third week of January. Seating is general admission and tickets are $20 or $5 for area students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Highsmith University Union box office, or online at www.uncatickets.com. For more information, go to the Cultural Events Web page.