Home

December 1, 2006: And I thought I was going to get December off! I really should have known better. That said, I wouldn't pass on my December shows for the world. First, my sister is coming to Langley to give a recital (haven't seen her for nearly 2 years); she's a wonderful singer (and uke player, by the way) and she's invited me, Anne, and our friends in Exit 58 to join her during the show (see my calendar for details). Then, not even a week later Anne and I are playing in Vancouver at the Media Club with my friends Daniel Wesley, Jordan Stringer, and Mark Luongo. Friends, family, music, ukulele, food... sounds like a holiday to me! Top ^

November 14, 2006: Home again after a terrific stay in Waimea, HI for the Ukulele & Slack Key Institute at the Kahilu Theatre. You know, there are times when I feel obliged to say that I had fun. Going to a boring dinner party, for example, you still say “thanks, that was fun” at the end of the evening, right? But this was different; this was the real thing! I mean, five days in amongst the rolling green hills of Hawaiian cowboy country + hanging with Dennis & David Kamakahi, Jeff Peterson, Gordon Mark, Aaron Mahi, Ozzie Kotani, and Brittni Paiva + a top-notch theatre (and a totally pro staff running the place) + a roster of eager students + good food = good times, no faking.

Musically speaking, the highlights (for me, at least) were the jam sessions. One night we had an open jam with people and instruments filling the stage, everyone playing and singing together. Faculty members sat in on each others' sets, too – for “my” set I ended up with David K., Jeff Peterson, and Alan Akaka on stage at various points. That's what's turning my crank lately – playing with other folks. I've been doing the solo gig for a few years now but things change. When I imagine myself onstage in 20 years, I don't imagine myself playing alone...

November 7, 2006: I've been coming here to Hawai`i once or twice a year since I was about 13 years old; at this point Waikiki feels more like a second home than a tourist destination. My current stopover Waikiki is short – tomorrow I head to the Big Island for the Kahilu Ukulele & Slack Key Institute. This being my only full day in town I head straight to the International Marketplace for a veggie sandwich from my favourite kiosk (as far as I can see, the name of the place is "Fresh Fruit Smoothie & Salad") and walk over to the Sheraton Waikiki. I sit on the poolside patio and enjoy my five-dollar sandwich with a million-dollar view.

Every time I'm in Waikiki I do this sandwich/Sheraton pilgrimage at least once. Why? The usual mix of nostalgia and familiarity, I guess. With its tiki torches, deck chairs and palm trees, this contrived beach-side scene is the backdrop for so many fond memories of time spent with friends in my Langley Ukulele Ensemble days. Revisiting the place helps me remember but also drives home the truth of the matter: I don't miss the place, I miss the people. I leave the Sheraton patio feeling the same way I always do: like I want to call up Chris, Kendra, Laura, Marianne, Kim, Kyle, Julia, and Mark and let them know that Waikiki just isn't the same without them. Top ^

October 10, 2006: Got back a couple of days ago from a trip to the west coast. First stop was my hometown of Langley, BC for the Langley Ukulele Conference. Every uke event has a distinct 'flavour' and the LUC is no different - it's a two-day bevy of workshops and massed skill sessions with a stronger-than-usual emphasis on promoting ukulele use in school classrooms. It's always a treat to spend time with Chalmers Doane and to see my former teachers Peter Luongo and Jamie Thomas in action. Growing up under the guidance of those two was like winning the lottery - twice. Also got a chance to catch up with my mom and dad as well as some friends in the area. It's funny... by and large, the only people I still keep in touch with from Langley are friends from the Langley Ukulele Ensemble. Hmm...

Last Thursday I headed south to play and teach at the Southern California Ukulele Festival. At the Vancouver airport I was asked to check-in my uke which, of course, I objected to. I always carry it onboard and I've never found an overhead bin too small for it. "What instrument is that?" the agent asked, "a you-koo-lay-lee" I replied. Wrong answer. According to the agent, if I had said "violin" everything would have been A-ok. Why? Because "violin is on the list but ukulele isn't." What a farce. Anyhow, I fell back on a trick that Daniel Ho told me about - I let them check my case but I wrapped the uke in my jacket and carried it onboard. Lesson learned. Next time you see me in an airport be sure not to utter the word "ukulele" - apparently it's as bad as saying "mouthwash."

At any rate, the SoCal Festival was fun as always - I didn't go last year so it was nice to reconnect with folks down that way. Around 90 people showed up to my first workshop, an intermediate-level skill session. Yikes. I wasted very little time talking - we strummed, picked, and jammed with surprising ease given the number of folks in the room. I got good feedback from the session - it sounded like people had fun and learned some stuff. Imagine that! My second workshop was a more esoteric one about composing music for ukulele. I wasn't expecting many people to show up but show up they did - about 50 strong. I sermonized a little, we shared our experiences in the realm of music composition and then ended up jamming and exploring elements of improvisation. Good times!

A big thank you to Susan McCormick and her dedicated team for making the SCUF happen. Congrats on the 5th Annual! Top ^

September 18, 2006: Spent the last few days on the road here in Ontario. Took the train up to Grimsby (close to Niagara falls) for the FUN Ukefest 2006 (the FUN part comes from the FUN School of Music which is a funky, outside-the-box music store/school in the area). Anyhow, we had a great time. Anne came with me which always helps - she adds so much to the show (anyone who's seen me perform with and without cello will agree I'm sure). I did a series of three adult workshops in Grimsby which gave me a chance to catch up with uke friends Brian, Peter, Barry, Elaine et al. and to meet new strummers from the area. The 3-day workshop format let us cover a lot of material and I was really happy with the progress we made as a class.

Thanks to the folks at the FUN School we also had a chance to experience the Niagara region. We saw the famous falls (a first for both Anne and I) and went on a couple of very enjoyable (too enjoyable?) wine tours. Love that icewine! Needless to say, it was a memorable few days and I can't wait to visit again - whether for a Ukefest or just for a vacation. Hmm... a vacation, now there's a concept!

Anyway, the beat goes on with the Langley Ukulele Conference coming up in less than two weeks. I'm looking forward to spending some time out west again and visiting with family and friends in the Vancouver area... more on that later. Oh yes, and the Southern California Ukefest is coming up soon, too. Haven't been to SoCal for a couple of years now so I'm looking forward to it. Onwards! Top ^

August 17, 2006: I wore my pink NYUkeFest shirt today. Twice I was asked if/why I was "pro-nuke" and had to explain that the shirt refered to a small, four-stringed instrument of peace and not to a weapon of mass destruction (what a difference a vowel can make!). Anyone else had this experience? Top ^

August 15, 2006: I'm back in Ottawa now having spent more than a month on the road; concerts and workshops in Japan, Hawaii, and Seattle all went great.

On July 22nd at about 7:30pm I left Tokyo bound for Vancouver. On July 22nd at around 11am I arrived in Vancouver (amazing, eh?). At 3pm that same day I was playing Schubert's "Ave Maria" as my good friend Kendra Croft (formerly of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble) walked down the aisle to be married. After the reception we danced all night long - at that point I was so jet lagged it didn't matter anymore!

Speaking of Langley, the Langley Ukulele Conference is coming up at the end of September. Two of my former teachers, Jamie Thomas and Peter Luongo, along with their former teacher, J. Chalmers Doane, and I will be presenting two days of workshops on ukulele skills and pedagogy capped off by a public concert. Should be a blast. There's more info on my calendar page if you're interested...

Anyhow, after Langley it was over to Hawai'i where Roy and Kathy Sakuma put together an outstanding 36th edition of the Hawaii Ukulele Festival. Those of you who were there know how much fun it was to see all those uke players and uke lovers in one place at one time! I've been to the festival 8 or 9 times now and it feels more like a family reunion than a gig. A big thank you to all the volounteers who made the day run so smoothly.

In Hawaii I got to visit with lots of friends including Derek Shimizu of GString Ukuleles (and his new puppy Joseph). I don't want to let the cat out of the bag but Derek and I have been working on a handful of new ukes and I just can't wait 'til they're done! More later.

On the heels of my stay in Hawai`i was a week of teaching at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. That's right, guitar. No, I don't play guitar but there are an ever-increasing number of guitar players getting curious about the uke and for the last three years it's been my job to indulge that curiosity. I held a "Rookie Uke" class and an "I Know the Basics... Now What?" class. It gave me a chance to try out some new teaching material and I was really pleased with the progress the students made in just 5 days.

I'm hoping to get back in the studio this fall so I'm busy at work on some new tunes and arrangements. More later... Top ^

July 2006: Just returned from an incredible visit to Japan. I'd been to Tokyo about half a dozen times but had never ventured outside the city limits. This time I performed and gave workshops all over the country - it was a whirlwind but I had a blast. Most memorable "non-uke" moments? Eating the freshest sushi and shellfish in Matsuyama (delicious), touring a Buddhist temple in Akita (inspiring), and visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (unforgettable).

Many thanks to YMT, GString Ukuleles and all the fans who came out to enjoy the concerts and workshops. Keep strummin' and I'll see you again soon. Top ^