"Required" Viewing List?

aljanny · Jan 20, 2011

So, today I was in Art History thinking on how past art is constantly influencing present artists, and how at art school it is encouraged (read: required) that one seeks out a vast array of other previous/contemporary artists to broaden the mental scope.
Of course, my ukulele ever on my mind, I got to thinking about how ukuleleists should have recommended listening/viewing, too, even if it's a different 'style' than one normally plays/listens to.

So, who do you guys think would be the influential ukuleleists past and present who would be taught about in a comprehensive 'Ukuleleist History' class, if there was such a thing? Who would be recommended to aspiring ukuleleists as 'required viewing'?

Just curious to see peoples' answers =)

pwcgecko · Jan 20, 2011

to start the list Roy Smeck, Cliff Edwards, George Harrison, unfortunately Tiny Tim. Jake and James. Aldrine makes my list.

itsme · Jan 20, 2011

The late, great John King was an amazing player who really did a lot to further uke as a serious classical instrument. His playing (especially of Bach) is a real inspiration to me.

DustinCasler · Jan 20, 2011

Here's some more current videos that I personally love featuring some prominent ukulele playing

Beirut - Elephant Gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSz_PAfgNc

Beirut - The Penalty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3qQciNuOzU

Noah and The Whale - Five Years Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

janeray1940 · Jan 20, 2011

A ukulele history class would not be complete without a mention of May Singhi Breen, although she'd probably be more required reading than listening - I have yet to find any recordings of her actually playing. She was an early advocate of the ukulele as a "real" instrument and of ukulele soloing.

Hippie Dribble · Jan 20, 2011

Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), George Formby, Bill Tapia, Lyle Ritz, Ian Whitcomb, John King, Jake Shimabukuro, Bruddah Iz, Lil' Rev...

papplehead · Jan 20, 2011

I would put Ohta San on the list for his contribution of the Low-G and for awesome playing

maclay · Jan 20, 2011

If anyone wants a new perspective on the actual history of the ukulele, you should check this out.
I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of this document.

http://www.hiveukuleles.com/unofficial-uke-history/

Jake Maclay
Hive Ukuleles
http://www.hiveukuleles.com

Fuzzy · Jan 20, 2011

maclay said:
If anyone wants a new perspective on the actual history of the ukulele, you should check this out.
I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of this document.
http://www.hiveukuleles.com/unofficial-uke-history/

Wow!! I always suspected, but never knew for sure! Thanks, Dr. O'Cutty!!

Kimosabe · Jan 20, 2011

Required Viewing

I would definitely vote for Ohta-san, Lyle Ritz, and for learning how to accompany and how to play jazz, Glen Rose.

Ron · Jan 20, 2011

I know he's not well recognised yet but - mark my words - this guy will be on your lists when his obvious talent is finally recognised by the powers that be in the halls of Ukuleledom
http://www.youtube.com/user/crouts0#p/u/86/XAg5KjnAhuU
http://www.youtube.com/user/crouts0#p/u/71/n2M9oDvWjpg
http://www.youtube.com/user/crouts0#p/u/32/mbatbaxVYVM

misterpk · Jan 20, 2011

I've got to put Carl Ray Villaverde's name on the list. You should check these videos out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQuAjCoEvs8 - Tears in Heave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHJGLfNH5P0 - Summer Breeze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBFdrLu7o9w - Keep your eyes on the hands

Ukulele JJ · Jan 20, 2011

Any ukulele player is, first and foremost, a musician. As such, the aspiring ukuleleist would do well to seek out a wide variety of good music, whether it had anything to do with the ukulele or not. (Heck, even bad music contains lessons for the attentive learner!)

After all, an aspiring visual artist might specialize in modern abstract art, but they're still going to want to have deep knowledge of other forms of art from various eras too.

So yeah, listen to Smeck and Ohta San and Jake and all that. But don't neglect Glenn Gould, Miles Davis, Joshua Bell, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Chris Thile, Django Rhinehardt, Frank Sinatra, and so on.

JJ

maclay · Jan 21, 2011

Fuzzy said:
Wow!! I always suspected, but never knew for sure! Thanks, Dr. O'Cutty!!

Yes......Thanks to Dr. O'cutty and Jeremiah Bond for these astonishing implications. They will forever change the way people think about ukulele history.

sailor · Jan 21, 2011

DustinCasler said:
Here's some more current videos that I personally love featuring some prominent ukulele playing

Beirut - Elephant Gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSz_PAfgNc

Beirut - The Penalty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3qQciNuOzU

Noah and The Whale - Five Years Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

these are excellent examples of good newer music involving the beloved uke.
i'm a big beirut fan and it's nice to see music worthy of keeping company with the greats. great examples of the uke in good music now.
i like that alot of (the good) newer music seems bored by fuzzed out electric guitar and have turned back to violin, brass, uke etc...
happy days. now please stop playing it in commercials and all will be fine.

Gillian · Jan 21, 2011

A fun to watch documentary is "The Mighty Uke"

ukecantdothat · Jan 21, 2011

Number one on my list of all-time jaw droppers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqdLthN-n4A

hmgberg · Jan 22, 2011

On a personal note, years ago I took some guitar lessons from Marvin Falcon. Recently, I found this on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3p1KWbDJCY

Manalishi · Jan 22, 2011

Whilst not personally a fan,you would HAVE
to Include George Formby in that list!

Tantal · Jan 22, 2011

ukecantdothat said:
Number one on my list of all-time jaw droppers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqdLthN-n4A

Ok that was insane. I love people who push instruments outside of the boundaries. Thanks for the link

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