Buffy The Vampire Slayer

One of the artists you can catch at the Island Jamz concert on Sunday is world-renowned ukelele player Jake Shimabukuro. He arrived is already on island and has taken time to talk about his love for his chosen instrument.

Jake started playing the ukelele when he was only four years old. Although he was surrounded by different kinds of music as a kid his mother played the ukelele and he instantly fell in love. "I just always loved it and I loved the sound of it," he told KUAM News.

He says he just sort of picked up the instrument and began teaching himself by trying to play songs he heard on the radio and songs he heard his parents play, which is how he developed his unique style. This is a style that he attributes to many influences from ukelele players. "My all-time favorite was Eddie Kamai," he proudly said, adding, "and then, of course, Ann Otisan amd guys like Lyle Ritz."

He also likes rock guitarists, continuing name names like Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Jimi Hendrix. "All those guys, I started listening to them and I was like, ’Whoa, completely different world,’" he added.

A world the talented musician says helped influence the way he played the ukelele, an instrument that he loves dearly for it’s constant reminder of his home island of Hawaii and it’s amazing versatility as an instrument. And the name of his beloved instrument? Buffy...after the vampire slayer. "I actually had this thing for Sarah Michelle Gellar for a little while," he admitted.

He’s regarded by many as the best ukelele player in the world. You can find out for yourself just how good he is at this Sunday’s Island Jamz concert at the Paseo in Hagatna.