About the Event

‘Ukulele master and jolly ambassador of aloha Jake Shimabukuro will bring joy to the world this upcoming holiday season by delivering a special gift for all with his eclectic holiday show, Jake Shimabukuro – Christmas in Hawai’i. 

With only four strings, Shimabukuro is a humble master, whose mission is to connect and inspire people. Whether one on one or in front of an audience of thousands, Shimabukuro shares a deep emotional connection with the listener that is open, magical, and transcendent. Shimabukuro’s genuine love for people, the spirit of holidays, and his beloved home of Hawai’i are at the forefront of Jake Shimabukuro – Christmas in Hawai’i. It will be a warm welcome of merriment and wonder for the season. 

In addition to his signature, non-holiday favorites, this special show will draw on a vibrant catalog of holiday classics, such as “We Three Kings,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “O Holy Night,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” alongside selections from his latest album, Jake & Friends (2021), which featured collaborations with Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Jack Johnson, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, and more. 

Along with bassist Jackson Waldhoff and special guests singer-songwriter Justin Kawika Young and ‘ukulele master Herb Ohta, Jr., Shimabukuro will spread good cheer to all with his world-renowned live show, a fun take on the holidays designed to keep spirits bright. Exceptional and spirited, Jake Shimabukuro – Christmas in Hawai’i is sure to become an eagerly anticipated annual family event. 

Biography 

Over the past two decades, Jake Shimabukuro has proved that there isn’t a style of music that he can’t play. While versatility for any musician is impressive, what’s remarkable about Shimabukuro’s transcendent skills is how he explores his seemingly limitless vocabulary—whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, or even classical—on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments: the ‘ukulele. Responding to the urgent calls of his fervent imagination, the Hawai’i-born virtuoso has taken the ‘ukulele to points previously thought impossible, and in the process, he’s reinvented the applications for this tiny, heretofore underappreciated four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ‘ukulele.” 

Jackson Waldhoff is a bass player from Honolulu. He grew up in Kyoto, Japan, and moved to Hawai’i in 2010. Waldhoff started playing guitar and bass as a way to make friends while learning English. In 2018, Waldhoff graduated from audio engineering school and worked as an audio engineer with Shimabukuro on several projects, including Trio, Jake & Friends, and a track for Alan Parsons. Waldhoff and Shimabukuro started touring together in 2018 and perform concerts around the world. 

Born and raised in Hawai’i, Justin Kawika Young first found success in his island home. He accumulated 11 #1 hits on Hawai’i radio and four Hawaiian Music Awards before relocating to Los Angeles. He quickly established a following in the music scene there and connected with other singer-songwriters, including Colbie Caillat, eventually joining her band for four years as acoustic guitarist, background vocalist, and music director. He has released two EPs of original music, and his music can be heard on the soundtracks of Point Break, Wild Horses, and The Walking Dead.

International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific ‘ukulele masters. Influenced by jazz, R&B, Latin, and Brazilian music, he puts his stamp on Hawaiian music by pushing the limits of tone and technique on this beautiful instrument. The son of ‘ukulele legend Ohta-san, he started playing at the age of 3, and teaching at the age of 9. He now shares the music of Hawai‘i and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops. 

Supporting act: Justin Kawika Young