Ukulele Virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro Fuses Old And New In His Unique Style

Jake Shimabukuro is a Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso who’s been touring internationally during the last 17 years, expanding the scope and repertoire of his instrument. He has collaborated with musicians from Yo-Yo Ma to Jimmy Buffett, and is widely known as “the Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele.”

The musician began playing at 4 years old when his mother gave him the instrument. Years later, he became one of YouTube’s first viral stars in 2006 when a video of him playing The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in Central Park was posted without his knowledge. Today, that video has gotten over 15 million views.

Shimabukuro is playing with his trio Jan. 27 and 28 at City Winery. He joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes in the studio to talk about his music.