Great Ukes: Gibson’s Ever-Changing Ukuleles
Gibson’s first line of ukuleles, introduced in 1926, included three styles of soprano and one tenor, likely patterning their models after Martin.
April 2019
Uke Tales: An Amazing Coincidence
By Sandor Nagyszalanczy For my most recent “Great Ukes” article in the print magazine [Editor’s note: Summer 2019], I wrote about Gibson ukuleles, including a little history and a take on how much variation there is in their line of…
A Fiery Vintage Performance of ’12th Street Rag’
The “12th Street Rag” is famous as a showpiece for fleet-fingered ukulele players, including Johnny Marvin, Roy Smeck, and many others who would wow audiences with high-octane renditions. For Throwback Thursday, we offer this version, from an as-yet unidentified player,…
Playing on the “Friendly Isle,” Uke Ohana Molokai 2019
By Heidi Swedberg My grandfather had the most amazing photo albums, filled with small, sepia images of paradise found. Tucked into tiny triangular anchors, brittle black pages told the adventures of a young schoolteacher wearing white flannel suits, hitchhiking from…
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Check It Out: Ukes Are Circulating in Public Libraries
Some check out instruments just like books, some keep a set of loaners to offer during free classes, and others offer clubs a place to meet
The Ukulele Can Be Anything to Byron Yasui, A Composer and Professor Who has Spent a Lifetime Raising the Bar
In Yasui’s view, the ukulele merits “music to be taken seriously."
Uke Tales: A Story Often Told
By Sandor Nagyszalanczy Uke Tales is an exploration of ukuleles with an interesting story, connection, or just a lovely instrument. I think everybody has a story that they simply love to tell. They love it so much, in fact, that they…
Alex de Grassi Flips: The 2019 Ukiah Ukulele Festival
By Heidi Swedberg // Photos by Roger Franklin The beautiful Northern California towns of Ukiah and Fort Bragg take turns hosting ukulele festivals on alternate years. March 30, 2019 was Ukiah’s turn to pull out all the stops. The ukulele…
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Summer Uke Events: June, July, August & September 2019
Compiled by Kelsey Holt Submission Information Listings are free for ukulele events, though we may not have space to include every submission. To be included, email event name, date(s), and contact information to editors.uke@stringletter.com. Deadlines for the next four issues…
Lil Rev’s 2019 East Coast Spring & Summer Tour Dates
Lil Rev, a popular performer, author, and teacher (and regular contributor to Ukulele), will be teaching and performing across much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in May and June. The focus of his tour will be teaching workshops based on…