Ukulele Virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro Comint To Uptown Theatre Napa

Uptown Theatre – Napa California

Jake Shimabukuro

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

In his young career, ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro has already redefined a heretofore under-the-radar instrument, been declared a musical “hero” by Rolling Stone, won accolades from the disparate likes of Eddie Vedder, Perez Hilton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wowed audiences on TV (Jimmy Kimmel, Conan), earned comparisons to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and even played in front of the Queen of England.

Appearing for the first time at Uptown Theatre, Shimabukuro brings his masterful string abilities to Uptown Theatre in Downtown Napa on Tuesday March 17th.

An ambitious follow-up to 2011’s Peace, Love, Ukulele (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Charts), the Hawaiian musician’s new record, Grand Ukulele, finds him collaborating with legendary producer/engineer Alan Parsons, best known for his work on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Beatles’ Abbey Road and his own highly successful solo project.

Parsons ended up helping Shimabukuro expand his sound, bringing in a 29-piece orchestra and a big-name rhythm section, including drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto), session superstar bassist Randy Tico and Kip Winger (Winger, Alice Cooper), who helped with the orchestration.

“The best thing was that, even with all those people, we recorded everything live with no overdubs,” says Shimabukuro. “It was great, tracking live with an orchestra and a rhythm section. We picked up on each other’s subtle emotional cues – you could feel everyone breathing together. It was like the old days of recording – when everyone tracked together – there’s a certain magic that happens.”

8pm Show Time, Doors Open 7pm

*Tickets $65/$45/$35

for ages 10 and over. Under 16 must be accompanied by adult.

Purchase at www.uptowntheatrenapa.com or in person at the box office located at 1350 Third Street, Downtown Napa. For more info call 707-259-0123 ext. 6

*ticket prices do not include additional fees