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With guitarist Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, Shimabukuro dives into the jazzy side of Cream on “Wrapping Paper” (the first song the psychedelic power trio ever recorded). Benson also turns up on a transplendent take on “Go Now,” made famous by the Moody Blues in 1964, on which Shimabukuro and Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald complement each other on ‘ukulele. “People might not know that Michael is an incredible ‘ukulele player,” Shimabukuro says. “A few years ago, we bonded while playing ‘ukulele together, and here we had a brilliant time improvising, with Michael playing a baritone ‘ukulele. I love the way it turned out.”

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Who else should turn up on Shimabukuro’s original composition “Sonny Days Ahead” but blues guitar icon Sonny Landreth? Fun and friendly, this folk-laced track is a stirring, transporting musical exchange between masters.

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Shimabukuro had already become acquainted with Bette Midler – back in 2010, the two performed for no less than Queen Elizabeth II, no less – and when he reached out to the Divine Miss M (who, as it turns out, was also born in Hawaii), he requested that they re-imagine his mother’s favorite song, “The Rose.” Midler sounds heavenly on this stark yet shimmering version of her Golden Globe-winning classic, and Shimabukuro’s graceful, poignant playing serves as the perfect accompaniment. “Recording that song with Bette was a huge deal for me,” he says, “because I knew my mother would love it.”

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George Harrison’s “Something” stands as one of the greatest love songs ever written, and now one of the most moving versions exists with the combination of Shimabukuro and country stars (and real-life husband and wife) Vince Gill and Amy Grant. The two singers don’t just vocalize; they bring their own shared romantic experiences to the lyrics. And the sumptuous instrumental passage – first ‘ukulele then Gill on guitar – is art in its highest form.

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Fans longing for all-instrumental bliss will revel in the aptly named “Smokin’ Strings,” which Shimabukuro wrote and performed with bluegrass guitar sensation Billy Strings. What starts out as a lilting, elegant dance suddenly explodes into a red-hot hoedown. And who else should turn up on Shimabukuro’s original composition “Sonny Days Ahead” but blues guitar icon Sonny Landreth? Fun and friendly, this folk-laced track is a stirring, transporting musical exchange between masters.

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One of Shimabukuro’s dreams was to jam with Allman Brothers/Gov’t Mule guitarist and singer Warren Haynes, and on Jake & Friends he got his wish, as the two throw down in epic ways on their fiery reading of the blues-rock classic “On the Road to Freedom.” The 1973 original by Alvin Lee and Mylon LeFevre ran but four minutes, but in the nimble fingers of Shimabukuro and Haynes, it’s now a dizzying 13-minute showcase of bravura musicianship capped with Haynes’ gutsy vocals. “It wasn’t supposed to be that long,” Shimabukuro says with a laugh, “but as we were mixing, I just said, ‘Warren’s playing is so good – let it go!’”

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“Go Now,” made famous by the Moody Blues in 1964, on which Shimabukuro and Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald complement each other on ‘ukulele. “People might not know that Michael is an incredible ‘ukulele player,” Shimabukuro says. “A few years ago, we bonded while playing ‘ukulele together, and here we had a brilliant time improvising, with Michael playing a baritone ‘ukulele. I love the way it turned out.”

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For the album’s luminous closer, there’s the timely and timeless “Get Together,” which Shimabukuro performs alongside Jesse Colin Young, who with his band the Youngbloods turned it into a worldwide anthem of peace, love and unity in 1969. “It was really special recording this song with Jesse,” says Jake. “Obviously, I’m too young to remember ‘Get Together’ when it first came out, but it’s been an important message through the years, especially today.”

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Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas, a successful musician in his own right, recorded several songs with Shimabukuro, but for Jake & Friends the two decided on a remake of “Find Yourself,” Lukas’ own soulful hit that he recorded with his band Promise of the Real and superstar Lady Gaga several years ago. “Lukas and I had such an incredible time together,” Shimabukuro raves. “What people might not know about him is what a flawless musician he is. Every time he sings or plays guitar, he’s perfect. He never has to do anything over. He’s a consummate pro.”

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The Beatles have always loomed large in Shimabukuro’s repertoire (he scored one of his first hits with his resplendent version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”), and on Jake & Friends he covers not one, not two, but three Fab Four gems. He teams with famed Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley (son of reggae icons Bob and Rita Marley) for a scrumptious, lighter-than-air rendition of “All You Need is Love” that resonates just as strongly today as when it first appeared over 50 years ago.

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