Jake Shimabukuro Leads Ukulele Workshop for BPO Today

BUFFALO, NY -- From 3 to 4 p.m. today, Nov. 7, international ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro will lead a workshop of approximately 160 ukulele players of all ages in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall. Many opportunities for video and photography exist at this event.

Jake Shimabukuro is a native of Hawaii, and is largely responsible for the global resurgence of interest in the ukulele. His YouTube videos of covers of songs such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" launched him to superstardom. He will perform the first concerto for ukulele and orchestra written by a major composer with the BPO at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.

The ukulele workshop is part of the BPO's free masterclass series. High school and college students apply to perform a piece and have their performance critiqued by a guest artist or BPO musician for an audience of other students and community members. The series is now in its fourth season, and has served more than 850 people. This is expected to be the best-attended masterclass the BPO has offered to date, and will have a slightly different format. Everyone attending is invited to bring their ukuleles while Shimabukuro offers tips on the instrument.

The workshop, and all masterclasses in the series, are open to public participation by people of all ages.
If you are interested in covering this event, please contact Kate Jenkins at (716) 242-7819or kmockler@bpo.org or Susan Schwartz at (716) 242-7811 or sschwartz@bpo.org.

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