Jake Shimabukuro - Gently Weeps CD

Though many still have trouble pronouncing his last name and the instrument he plays, Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOO- koo-row) is unquestionably regarded as one of the world's top ukulele (oo-koo-LAY-lay) musicians. Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential." His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake's mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only the traditional Hawaiian music many associate it.

At just four years of age, Jake's mother gave him his first lesson. "When I played my first chord I was hooked," says Jake, "I fell in love with the instrument." That love grew into a deep passion to create and innovate. Experimenting with various guitar effect pedals allows Jake to create sounds never thought possible on the tiny four-string, two-octave instrument. A true showman, his performance captivates audiences with intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying, high-energy grooves and smooth, melodic ballads evoking heartfelt emotion.

Evolving from the heavily amplified riffs that earned Jake the reputation as "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele," now Jake masterfully extracts the pure "clean" natural acoustic sound of the uke, delicately making a single note smile or cry on his new solo album Gently Weeps.

01. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George Harrison) mp3
02. Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) mp3
03. Wish On My Star mp3
04. Sakura (Traditional Japanese folk song) mp3
05. The Star-Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key) mp3
06. Let's Dance mp3
07. Misty (Johnny Burke, Errol Garner) mp3
08. Spain (Chick Corea) mp3
09. Heartbeat/Dragon mp3
10. Blue Roses Falling mp3
11. Grandma's Groove
12. Breathe

Bonus Tracks:
13. Angel
14. Lazy Jane
15. Hula Girl (The Movie "Hula Girl" theme song)
16. Beyond The Break (Music for the TV network THE N "Beyond the Break")
17. Wish On My Star (vocal version for the movie "Hula Girl")

Released Sept. 2006