April 24, 2009 , Fukuoka – Jake Shimabukuro, one of the world’s top ukulele musicians, wowed an audience of about 750 at Kyushu Joshi High School in a program organized by Fukuoka American Center. Jake, a Japanese American who is from Hawaii, first learned ukulele from his mother who taught him traditional Hawaiian songs. As Jake got older, he started experimenting with playing all forms of music such as rock, jazz, classical, flamenco and popular music on his ukulele.

Using his love of music and its healing power as an example, Jake told his captive audience that putting your heart and soul into something you love can make you feel good and help others, too. After his talk, which was interspersed with songs played on this ukulele, he performed the Okinawan song “Shimauta” with Kyushu Joshi High School’s nationally recognized shamisen club. He even persuaded one girl who is learning hula to come on stage and demonstrate her skills while he accompanied her. For more information about Jake Shimabukuro, please click here.