Jake Shimabukuro to Play Ridgefield Playhouse, 3/23

In his young career, ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro has already redefined a heretofore under-the-radar instrument, been declared a musical "hero" by Rolling Stone, won accolades from the disparate likes of Eddie Vedder, Perez Hilton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wowed television audiences on Jimmy Kimmel and Conan, has been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and has even played for the Queen of England. With his new record Grand Ukulele, the sky's the limit for Jake Shimabukuro. A ukulele virtuoso and composer known for his fast and complex finger work, Jake's music combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco. This awesome artist will be in concert at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, March 23, at 8 p.m. The Little Pub (Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield) will pour a free glass of house wine or draught beer with dinner the night of this show wen tickets/stubs are presented. This event is part of the Doyle Coffin Singer/Songwriter Series.

Given that Jake Shimabukuro first won acclaim for a YouTube video of his rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", it's no surprise that his new album Grand Ukulele features a number of fascinating and innovative reinterpretations including Sting's "Fields of Gold" (with Alan Parsons' keyboard cameo) and, most prominently, Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", a seemingly ubiquitous song that rocks with new life on the four-string ukulele.

For tickets ($47.50), call or visit the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.