Jake Shimabukuro – "The Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele" – announces his first ever UK Tour

He's widely known as "The Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele". His video of While My Guitar Gently Weeps has had over 14 million views on Youtube. He plays to packed crowds around the world. And in September this year, "ukulele rock star", Jake Shimabukuro, will tour the UK for the first time.

Jake Shimabukuro is known for his energetic ukulele-playing with performances that incorporate elements of thoughtful, sophisticated arrangements and spontaneous, improvised passages. In addition to his original compositions, his repertoire includes Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, Schubert's Ave Maria and Cohen's Hallelujah.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jake began his music career in the mid-90s, performing at local coffee shops as a sideman with his first band, Pure Heart. But his solo career really took off when he signed with Epic Records in 2002 - becoming the first ever ukulele player to sign with Sony Music.

"Forget everything you know about the ukulele" (Time Magazine)

Mary Krell, Director of The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF) and the woman behind the UK leg of Jake's international tour, said today:

"I've been a huge Jake Shimabukuro fan since seeing his - now iconic - version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps on Youtube. He has been on my "wish list" of performers I would like to work with since we launched GNUF in 2013, so to have him come and perform in the UK is a real thrill for me."

Tickets for the 4 UK dates went on sale last week and ukulele fans fell over themselves to get them, jamming the ticket lines. But Krell says that this is not just a tour for ukulele fans:

"As a ukulele player, I am blown away by Jake's skill and virtuosity but what I love most about him is that he is such a dynamic all-round performer. Even those not familiar with the ukulele will enjoy him. He's just an incredible musician. A living legend. A ukulele rock star."

And the music industry would certainly seem to agree that Jake Shimabukuro is something special: he has topped Billboard's World Music Chart numerous times, been called "a musical hero" by Rolling Stone Magazine and counts Jules Holland among his many celebrity fans.

Tour dates:

Liverpool, George's Hall – 15 September

London, King's Place – 17 September

Leeds Town Hall – 18 September

Bath Forum – 19 September

Tickets are now on sale from www.grandnorthernevents.com