Japanese American Ukulele Player Strikes a Chord
Jake Shimabukuro is hoping to inspire kids through music with his Hawaii-based Music is Good Medicine Foundation.
http://www.pacificcitizen.org
By Nalea J. Ko, Reporter
Published October 29, 2009
Musician Jake Shimabukuro plucked his first ukulele string by age of 4 thanks to his first unofficial instructor: his mother. At about the age of 7, the Japanese American ukulele player honed his talent at the island's well-known Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studio. He has been plucking and strumming ever since, collaborating on projects for artists like Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Yo-Yo Ma, and Ziggy Marley, among others. He has now taken over Music is Good Medicine, a foundation dedicated to inspiring children to follow their dreams.
Shimabukuro said he never dreamed in his youth that his music would take him all around the world like it has. In October, he returned to Hawaii from Japan, but he will not stay still for long. The musician is scheduled to perform in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Nov. 21 and Glendora Nov. 22.
The Pacific Citizen spoke with Shimabukuro after he returned to his home in Honolulu, Hawaii. He flew back to the islands just in time to celebrate his 33rd birthday in November. But the party planning has yet to begin since Shimabukuro only has his sights set on a little relaxation time.
*I understand you just returned from performing in Japan. How are you feeling? Your voice sounds slightly raspy.
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Jake Shimabukuro: My voice is just a little hoarse. Believe me even when I'm 100 percent it doesn't sound much better than this [laughs].
It was a great tour. We spent about two and a half months up there [in Japan]. We just had a great time. The food was amazing. The concerts were fun, but it was just so great to eat sushi and all that good Japanese food all night.
*Have you ever considered living full time in Japan?
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JS: Nah, I love it here in Hawaii.
*You have come a long way since performing in coffee shops in Hawaii. Do you ever pinch yourself to make sure it is real?*
JS: Yeah, coffee shops [laughs]. And then from there, you know, I remember my very first paid performance. I was playing at a coffee shop and this couple would come in all the time. And one night they asked me if I would consider just playing a few songs at their friend's wedding. So I was like, 'Oh yeah, sure!'
I went down and caught the bus to the hotel they were getting married at.
Then after that they gave me an envelope and they said, 'Oh here. Just a little thank you for playing.' I thought it was a little thank-you card. I got on the bus on my way back home. I opened up the card and there was a $100 bill there! I just thought, 'Wow, I can make money doing this! I'm going to be rich!' [laughs].
*In addition to touring and recording, you have used your musical talents to inspire children in Hawaii. How did you become involved with Music is Good Medicine foundation?
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JS: I was involved in it as their spokesperson. A couple of years ago I had approached the organization and asked them if it would be OK if I took it over.
*Since coming on board you have introduced the ukulele to the program. Why was that important?
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JS: We've been pretty much keeping with a similar vision, of course now it revolves a little bit more around the ukulele.
It's something I've always believed in. I've always believed that music is a great way to just feel good. It's a good form of therapy, it heals and it brings such a positive energy into life.
*How is the foundation funded?
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JS: Right now I'm just funding it myself because it's so small right now. I want it to grow later and I want to get more people involved in it.
So, all my touring and all that is great because [laughs] it helps to fund this program.
*In the online videos documenting your school visits, I have heard you tell children about avoiding the wrong path in life. How did the ukulele, if at all, help to keep you out of trouble?
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JS: Oh yeah. There were certain things - like when I was in elementary school I remember, there were times when I would go through difficult things. I always felt that no matter what happened I could always sit and play my ukulele.
*Was it difficult to learn the ukulele?
*
JS: People that don't have any kind of musical experience at all, they can pick up the ukulele for the first time and in 15 minutes they can learn a song. You can't do that with any other instrument!
I mean my grandmother just picked it up recently with her girlfriends. She has never played an instrument before in her life. From day one they started strumming, like, old Hawaiian songs like 'Beyond the Reef' [laughs].
*How old is your grandmother?
*
JS: Oh, I don't know she's been telling me she's 55 for the last; I don't know [laughs] 15 years or something. No, but seriously she must be in her 70s - late 70s.
*Some of your songs like 'Me and Shirley T' from your new album 'Live' require some fast finger work. I know you do not use a pick. So, how do your fingers hold up after a tour?
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JS: Ukulele strings are made out of nylon, so they are a lot more forgiving on your fingers. It's not like a steel string guitar. If you were to play without a pick on a steel string guitar, and you were to strum it like you strum a ukulele you'd probably [laughs] rip all your cuticles out.
*Tell me about your single 'Annon,' which was released Sept. 1.*
JS: Actually they had approached me to write a song for the 750th anniversary of Shinran Shonin [A Japanese monk attributed with founding Shin Buddhism]. Of course I was very honored that they asked me because it was the main temple in Kyoto, Japan that had asked me to do it.
*Did you grow up Buddhist?*
JS: Growing up in Hawaii you kind of grow up with a mixture of different faiths.
For me music has always been one of those things that have always helped me find my path to help me with my spiritual growth.
*Did you ever imagine your career would take off like this?*
JS: No, never. I never would have guessed. I never thought I'd be making a living as a musician. You know, when I was younger it was always just a hobby for me.
But, I'm so thankful that I can make a living doing something that I truly enjoy.
*And now you want to inspire a new generation through your foundation Music is Good Medicine?*
JS: A lot of kids now, they're not as inspired to do things. That's why I think through the Music is Good Medicine program the whole mission is to inspire kids through music, but it doesn't have to inspire them to do music. A lot of my inspiration came from people like Bruce Lee, Bill Cosby - they weren't musicians, but they were so passionate about what they did.
My belief is that if they [children] find something that they absolutely love then they're going to make that effort to study harder in school. They're going to have goals and dreams and they're going to have something to look forward to, which I think in the long term is going to steer them away from all of these negative paths that they'll encounter for the rest of their lives.
