Jake & the Ukulele
Having played in the Hawaiian trio 'The Hula Bluebirds' for over a decade now Jake has had the benefit of brushing shoulders with three of the best Ukulele players around ie. Martin Wheatley, Dave Crofts and JC Grimshaw. Jake leads workshops and teaches Ukulele now at the City Lit evening school in Holborn central London. Jake also features uke songs and tricks in all his live solo gigs and his speciality numbers include ' Tiptoe through the Tulips ' now proudly reclaimed from Tiny Tim and 'Then Again' a self penned epic which is sung in English and German and features a dusting of mournful Yodeling. For more information on Jake's Uke workshops go to the Workshops section on this website.
In his travels as a Uke man Jake has observed the Ukulele fever gripping the country presently. More to the point though, he has become fascinated by the sociological aspect of the many tribes of Uke players. He has become a 'Uke Spotter' in a very literal sense.
Here is his list . Can you spot yourself ?
UKULELE TRIBES
Kids - The nicest tribe as basically if a kid is into Ukulele thats got to be a good thing and a welcome break from stealing the kitchen knifes and donning the hoody at dusk. All Uke kids cover their cases in stickers and have a father with a beard. Most commonly heard phrase ' Dad, my fingers hurt ! '
Modern Retro - the bright colours and cheap price of the Ukulele have lured this group of gals with hair bands and guys ( pony tail obligatory ). They cluster in Hoxton and form Ukulele bands that sound like Kate Nash singing 'Coming Round the Mountain' with alternative lyrics. They frequent 'The Duke of Uke ' shop but never buy anything and leave a paper trail of flyers for their next happening wherever they are. Most commonly heard phrase ' Dad, my fingers hurt ! '
The Pro - Looking old before their time this small group lead a solitary life and never congregate with any other Uke players ever. Their mature looks are from seasons in Blackpool and cruise ships tours singing George Formby to the over 70's. They wear blazers with little badges on them, carry their Uke's in cases that make them look like Freemason's and never smile except on stage when it looks more an American cheerleader than a border line acoholic entertainer. Most commonly heard phrase ' I'm off on the Canberra in 4 days '
Hoarders - Also known as collectors or purists. This tribe is perhaps the most volatile of all the groups. Fiercely opininated on every aspect of the Ukulele they cluster in groups of 3-5. They are always taking new Uke's out of cases but never play them for more than 5 seconds more interested in showing the serial number or checking the style of tuning peg than playing. Inheritantly bitchy and excitable a new theory about 6 Uke's made in 1927 is all that it takes for a row of technical expletives to erupt causing serious tea spilling in any nearby saucer. Life long friendships can be broken forever when a group of vintage uke collectors find one of them has brought a brand new uke or exactly the opposite when a modern collector buys an old uke for the cost of family car. Most commonly heard phrase ' Yes my wife left 3 years ago but did you know the new C543's binding interferes with the fretmarkings, it's an outrage, a disaster, what has the world come to ! '.
Americans - Their sentences always start and end with word Maui or another Hawaiian island. This is so because it is technically impossible to focus and listen to this tribe speak due to the dazzling whiteness of their sneakers. This group never play small Ukulele's (regular ) but favour large or supersize ( the tenor or baritone ) . They always have very shiny brand new uke's made from tropical rainforest wood and have those tuner things clipped on at the ready at all times. Most commonly heard phrase. ' I didn't know George Foreman played the Uke i thought he was a boxer who sells that BBQ grill thing'
More to follow soon !