UKULELE VIRTUOSO JAKE SHIMABUKURO’S NEW ALBUM TRAVELS REACHES #2 ON WORLD CHARTTRAVELS RECEIVES GLOWING REVIEWS FROM CRITICS AND AUDIENCES AS JAKE CONTINUES HIS U.S. TOUR
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 21, 2015) – Travels, the latest album from ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro, climbed to #2 on the world chart shortly after its October 9 release on eOne Music. Jake continues to tour, performing sold-out shows at venues across the country.
Jake’s undeniable artistry and musicianship is confirmed by numerous positive reviews for Travels by media and audiences alike.
“Shimabukuro’s new album, Travels, showcases why many consider him the finest ukulele player of his generation.” Singer-songwriter Bhi Bhiman
“He has been playing the ukulele since he was 4 years…but after watching him Sunday night at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, I would say he started in another life, honed his skills there and then dragged them into this incarnation. He's that good, scary good.” Twin Cities Pioneer Press
“Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody else catching up with.” Eddie Vedder
“Buoyant musicianship and brisk proficiency." The New York Times
“Leading a ukulele renaissance.” PBS “NEWSHOUR”
“He has transformed the instrument.” Pollstar
Upcoming Tour Dates: October 23 Seattle, WA October 24 Bellingham, WA October 25 Portland, OR October 26 Medford, OR October 27 Arcata, CA October 28 Red Bluff, CA October 29 Malibu, CA October 31 San Diego, CA November 5 Tarrytown, NY November 6 Albany, NY November 7, 8 Buffalo, NY November 9 Hanover, NH November 10 New York, NY
For the complete list of tour dates, visit http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/tour/.
About Jake Shimabukuro: He has elevated the ukulele from a beloved Hawaiian folk instrument to a world-class vehicle, fearlessly traversing boundaries and putting his inspired touch on everything from island standards, to popular tunes and, most recently, classical symphonic concertos.
No wonder Rolling Stone called him “one of the hottest axemen of the past few years (who) doesn’t actually play guitar.” Even Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has voiced his admiration saying, “Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody else catching up with.”
Viewed by his peers as a musician’s musician, Jake’s discography includes collaborations with a wide range of artists, from Yo-Yo Ma, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson and Cyndi Lauper to Ziggy Marley, Dave Koz, Lyle Lovett and Bette Midler – with whom he performed for the Queen of England in 2009.
In recent years, Jake’s sizzling live performances have made him a hot commodity on national TV, guesting on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Good Morning America and the Today show. He’s wowed audiences at SXSW, Bonnaroo, the Playboy Jazz Festival and the cutting-edge TED conference.
In 2012, he was the subject of an acclaimed documentary, Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings.