The fifth generation Asian American is known for his lightning speed finger work on the ukelele.
The late British Indian Freddie Mercury wrote the lyrics to Queen’s very first Top 10 hit in the U.S., but what exactly is the underlying meaning of “Bohemian Rhapsody?” The only thing that’s certain is that the epic multi-layered tune is still making waves today, whether it’s being played in our cars, used as an American Idol audition song, or  performed on the ukelele by Japanese American Jake Shimabukuro.
Shimabukuro recently did just that on TEDTalks, an online database of inspirational speeches made by the forerunners of society. Click here to view the video filmed in February 2010, but posted just last month.
Shimabukuro plays a custom-made 4 string tenor ukelele.
If you haven’t heard of Shimabukuro yet, become familiar with that name. Not only is he a ukelele virtuoso taking the native Hawaiian instrument to levels never before seen (or heard), he’s introducing pop, rock and jazz fans to the sound (and power) of ukelele. Watch this video of Jake talking about his music: http://jakeshimabukuro.com/home.
Here’s Shimabukuro performing “Hallelujah”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdU9Z7N_EVM.
