Today's segment was dedicated to John King and featured an interview with James Tranquada

John King with an authentic recreation of the Medeiran instrument, the "Machete", which the Ukulele evolved from.

John King with an ukulele in KPFK's Studio D

John King at the Museum Of Making Music in 2008

James Tranquada, from the film "Mighty Uke"

On today's segment we heard selections from John King's CD's:

John King—Royal Hawaiian Music John King's contributions to the ukulele world both historically and musically can't be overstated. As a Hawaiian music historian he has published a tremendous amount of new information about the earliest days of the ukulele. At the same time King is an astonishingly gifted player. His first solo ukulele CD featured the music of Bach and proved that in the right hands classical music can sing on just four strings. In this recording John pays tribute to the music of the Royal Four (King David Kalakaua, Queen Lili'uokalani, Miriam Likelike and Prince Leleiohoku), all brothers and sisters who were well known music lovers and gifted composers. The 16 tracks include pieces that the Royal Four wrote or enjoyed during their lives in the latter half of the 1800s and into the early 1900s. Once again King magnificently reproduces these ornate pieces with just 4 strings and creates both a wonderful introduction to early Hawaiian music and a highly listenable recording. Highlights include PuPu A'o Ewa (the original Pearly Shells melody) and the gorgeous Ahe Lau Makani.

John King: Johan Sebastian Bach Partita No3 BWV 1006 for Unaccompanied Ukulele This CD presents his flawless Bach arrangements for 4 string ukulele. Highlights include pieces from Bach cello suites, The Welltempered clavier, Partita #3 and Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring. Remarkable.

...from two of his instructional books...

Ukulele Masters: John King "The Classical Ukulele" A collection of 19 classical and traditional works ingeniously arranged for GCEA-tuned ukulele by John King. While this book is ideal for more experienced players, all of the arrangements are written in tablature so that anyone can play without having to read music. Most amazing is how well these famous pieces by J. S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Joplin and others translate to the ukulele. Works include "Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring," "Für Elise," "Chop Sticks," "Greensleeves," "Danny Boy" and "The Entertainer." Also included is a CD of all of the arrangements magnificently performed by John King himself. All works are arranged for GCEA tuned ukuleles.

Famous Solos and Duets for Ukulele Edited, arranged, and performed by ukulele virtuoso and historian John King, this collection makes the original, classic repertoire of this charming little instrument available to the public for the first time in nearly a century. The Preface, informative and thoroughly researched, places the ukulele and its music in historical context, from its early days in Hawai'i, to its widespread popularity on the Mainland. Showcasing pieces which are both challenging and beautiful, Early Solos and Duets features the music of Queen Lili'uokalani, King Kalakaua, Ernest Ka'ai, Henry Kailimai, George Awai, George Kia Nahaolelua, N. B. Bailey and Vadah Olcott Bickford. Also included in Early Solos and Duets are invaluable instructions for the different styles of strumming as played by the "Father of the ukulele," Ernest Ka'ai. The CD contains all 22 pieces expertly performed by Mr. King.

..and from recordings supplied by Luthier Mike DaSilva and film maker Tony Coleman.

Special thanks to James Tranquada for joining us on today's program.

Recent "Ukulele Spotlight" shows can be heard here.

This show is also podcast, here is the xml link :

Information on Mike DaSilva's Ukuleles can be found [ here ]
Information about Tony Coleman's upcoming documentary "Mighty Uke" can be found [ here ]

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June 2009 Southern California Ukulele Events

Sat June 6, 2009
"Aloha Time"
Pumana will to be performing starting at 6:00 p.m.
This is a fun event and a great fundraiser for an organization dedicated to sponsoring programs aimed at providing a helping hand to youth.
The featured hula performers for the evening will be Hula Halau `o Lilinoe ame.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Door prizes and raffle with great prizes!
Tickets only $35 for adults ($45 at the door), $15 for children under 13.
Corporate "Gold Table" sponsorship opportunities available at $450.
To reserve tickets or for more information, call Mike at (310) 371-7544.
Japanese American Optimist Club Luau
Nishi Hongwanji Temple
815 E. First Street in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.



Monday June 8, 2009 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Museum of Making Music -- Ukulele Lessons
(This event repeats every week until Wednesday July 1, 2009.)
From June 3 to July 1, the Museum of Making Music hosts group lessons for beginning & budding ukulele players. Local strummer Brad Norris will instruct this series of ukulele classes on Mondays and Wednesday evenings from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

Bring your uke, and celebrate the wonder of the ukulele. Strum & pick everything from pop to jazz, on a tiny instrument with a big heart; a mouse that roars!

Location: Museum of Making Music
Street: 5790 Armada Drive
City State Zip: Carlsbad/CA/92008
Phone: 760-438-5996
There will be a free orientation meeting on Wednesday, June 3 for class information and uke resources.
Enrollment for the series is $90; $75 for Museum members. Enrollment is limited. Register by calling 760-438-5996, or enroll online: www.museumofmakingmusic.org


Saturday 6/13/2009 Noon to 4 PM
Entertaining Angels 1st Annual Hawaiian Luau
Reaching out to the Group Homes and Foster Care Children in the LA and Orange County Areas.
Hula Dancers, Music, traditional crafts, shave ice , swimming in the lagoon etc.
It’s also a funds and awareness raiser for group homes and foster care in LA & Orange Counties. The event runs from noon to 4pm
Free, but there is a 300 person Max capacity. RSVP to Lisa Shipley at lisa@ea-ep.com or (310)809-7638
Seaside Lagoon
200 Portofino Way
Redondo Beach, Ca 90277


Thursday June 18th
Glen Rose - "The music of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter" on the Ukulele!
• and before the meeting - a Jazz Ukulele Workshop by Glen •
"Play Jazzy Ukulele"
Learn to play those favorite old Standards on ukulele with real jazz chords
Jazz up your basic ukulele playing by learning new chord shapes and strums which that create that rich jazz sound
Glen Rose is a professional jazz musician, music teacher and author of the new guitar book,”Play Jazz with just Six Chords.”
For this class, Glen will be tailoring these concepts for use on the ukulele
4:00 - 5:30 at Bocci's
$25 (cash please) which includes an instructional workbook and song sheets
Food, friends drinks and music starts at 6
Meeting starts about 7
Bocci's Cellar Restaurant • 140 Encinal Street • Santa Cruz
ukuleleclub.com


Friday, June 26, 2009 - Saturday, June 27, 2009
Del Rey at Island Bazaar with Craig Flory
Del Rey, uke and BLUES specialist will visit Island Bazaar along with her accompanist, Craig Flory for a Friday workshop ($15) and Saturday concert ($20).
In-demand Del Rey is a superb musician and lecturer with five CD's to her credit with such titles as "Hot Sauce" and "When the Levee Breaks." The workshop is called "Blue Uke: An Intro to Fingerpicking Ragtime Blues." Join us for yet another great time at Island Bazaar by calling 714 843-9350.
Island Bazaar
16583 Gothard St, Suite R
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
www.ukuleleparadise.com

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Weekly Events:

Every Sunday:
Makena
10:00 am
Center for Inspirational Living
Long Beach Playhouse, Long Beach, California
More Info: http://www.myspace.com/makenamusic

Every Sunday:
Island Breeze is a talented trio of musicians who play contemporary Hawaiian music. In addition to accompanying the Lokelani's dancers, the band is available to provide entertainment for special events. Roy Asuega leads the group, singing, drumming, and playing guitar. Ron Reyes and Mata Grey play ukulele and bass while providing background vocals.
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Give us a call at (714) 437-1146 or drop us an email at music@lokelanisroti.com
Riptide in Newport Beach, CA
27741 Crown Valley Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92691


Every Friday:
Uncle Henry Kalana Kamae
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Uncle henry and pals play most every Friday night at Bob's Okazuya. Call ahead to be sure he is in.
Bob's Okazuya
16814 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA
(310) 515-2250

Fridays 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Island Breeze
Garlic Jo's
2332 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA

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Ukulele Clubs (15+ clubs and counting!)

Every Monday at 9:00 am - 11:00 am
The Hemet Ukulele Club
New members are welcome. Bring your uke, banjo or guitar. Meetings are free.
Meets at The Simpson Center, 305 E. Devonshire Ave., Hemet, CA


Every Monday at 1:00 PM
The Corona Del Mar Ukulele club formerly at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona Del Mar
Everyone is welcome!
Notice: The group has moved to St. Michael's church.
The Oasis senior center is to be razed and rebuilt.
New Address is 3233 Pacific View Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 (949) 644-0463

2nd & 4th fourth Monday evenings 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The SLO Strummers of the Ukulele Society of the Central Coast. All levels of strummers are welcome!!
Meets at the Art Center in San Luis Obispo
1010 Broad St. (creekside door). For more information, call Carol at: (805)473-3457


Tuesday mornings 9am to 11am
The Loma Linda Ukulele Strummers (around 50 to 70 Ukulele players) meet every Tuesday morning.
For more information call 909 796-8934. All levels are welcome!
Loma Linda Senior Center, 25571 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354 (corner of Loma Linda Drive and Barton Road - behind the fire station and the library)


Every Tuesday 1-3 pm
Palm Desert Ukulele Strummers
Bring your Uke and join the fun. All levels are welcome.
Call Mike @ 760-835-6891 for more info.
44-600 Monterey Ave. Palm Desert,Ca 92260


Every Tuesday Night 7 - 9 PM
KOLOHE 'UKULELE CLUB
KOLOHE 'UKULELE CLUB was formed in 2000 & meets for practice at "ISLAND BAZAAR" in Surf City U.S.A. every TuesNite of the month @ 7:pm. Under our Kumu UNCLE HENRY KAMAE, we play Hawaiian & Hapa Haole music and invites ALL levels of 'UKULELE PLAYERS to jam with us Island Style till 9:pm. KOLOHE has performed at the Southern California Ukulele Festival, the Tiki Beach Fest in Belmont Shore, the Asian & Pacific Islander Councle Banquets, the San Dimas Ho'Olaule'a, Aloha-Cruz Island Beach Shows, Bob's Ohana Hawaiian Style Resturant, for many'a Lu'au, Halau performances, festivals, & other functions. Remembah; "Mo 'Ukulele, Mo Beddah" ........ Mahalo Nui Loa & A Hui Hou
For more info email kentinhb@verizon.net
Island Bazaar, 16582 Gothard St. "R", Huntington Beach, CA. 92647- 714-843-9350. www.Ukuleleparadise.com


Every Wednesday 6 - 9 PM
Moonlight Beach Uke Strummers
A group of about 50 to 75 ukulele strummers (over 200 members on website) in Encinitas, North of San Diego.
BRING YOUR UKES AND JOIN US FOR A FUN TIME.
Members from our group are from many Hawaiian High schools like Kamehameha, Punahou, StLouis, McKinley, AIEA, DAMIEN, MARYKNOLL, ROOSEVELT, FARRINGTON, CASTLE, KAILUA.
Today's Pizza, 481 SANTA FE DR., at the intersection of Hwy 5 and Santa Fe Dr. at the Vons Rite-Aid shopping center in Encinitas.


Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ventura Ukulele Jam
The Ventura Chapter of the Ukulele Society of America hosts its weekly ukulele jam at Java Joe's Coffee House in the Century 16 Center on Johnson Drive in Ventura, CA. Alan Ferentz is the Alaka'i (Conductor). >From Alan -- "Please join us for our ukulele circle sing-along."
Java Joe's @ Century 16 Center, 2950 Johnson Drive, Ventura, CA
Every 1st and 3rd Wed. of the month from 5:30 to 7:30PM
The WINDanSEA Ukulele Strummerrs
meet for fun and the joy of the ukulele.
Everything is free. I even pass out the music for free. We invite all levels of skill. We have some young players, one is 8 and she is a ring terror on the ukulele. The age range is wide and so is the level----who cares, we have a good time.
We are in Pacific Beach. Across the street is La Jolla.
We meet at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at 853 Torquiise Street.


Every 1st and 3rd Wed. of the month.
from 5:30 to 7:30PM
The WINDanSEA Ukulele Strummers meet for fun and the joy of the ukulele.
Everything is free. I even pass out the music for free. We invite all levels of skill. We have some young players, one is 8 and she is a ring terror on the ukulele. The age range is wide and so is the level----who cares, we have a good time. Join us!!!!!!!!!
We are in Pacific Beach. Across the street is La Jolla.
We meet at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at 853 Torquiise Street.


Every Thursday from 10:30am to 12 noon
THE ORANGE BLOSSOM UKULELE PLAYERS
The Orange Blossom Ukulele Players meet at the Joslyn Senior Center in Redlands CA.
Our collection of songs covers various styles of music: Tin Pan Alley, Country, Spanish, Easy Listening, Hawaiian, etc...Bring your ukulele and be ready to sing with the Orange Blossoms!! We also welcome banjo, guitar, harmonica and other instrumentalists to join us for the fun. For more information call Cathy Ekaitis - (909) 875-1054
Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant Street, Redlands CA.


Thursdays 6:30 PM
'Ukulele Jam' 40 to 50 ukulele players come and strum their hearts out.
We also feature 2 or 3 soloists per session.
Lots of fun. We ask a small donation, but just walk past the "collector" if there is a problem or objection to a donation.
We love and wish to include all ukulele players who wish to come.
Standard American Songs Repetoire...20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, and so on. Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and a large selection of tunes.
ISLAND BAZAAR, 16582 Gothard St. #R, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647


Thursdays 6 - 9 pm
Ukulele Society of America (USA)
The group of 50+ ukulele players regularly meets on Thursday evenings in Carlsbad, CA (North San Diego County and South Orange County) to play ukulele, sing, and hula. Conducted by professional entertainer Pat 'Palika' Enos and often aided by the 101 year old, Duke of Uke, Bill Tapia. The nightly format includes instructions and sing-along with Pat and Bill, Guest Conductors leading the group in song, a Kokua Team to help newcomers jam along on their first night, and an Open Mike to encourage advancing members to showcase their stuff. In addition to Pat's ukulele, the lead ensemble includes a stand-up bass player and is sometimes supplemented by slack key guitar. This is a learning and sharing atmosphere where the sound level is soft enough to hear yourself play your ukulele. Our goals are to become a fun learning center for aspiring group leaders to learn from the pros and then move on to start and nurture their own groups across the country and to train our group members to lead small groups in outreach performances to the community (Children's hospital and Senior Centers). We are the fastest growing ukulele group (arguably) in the country with over 250 Yahoo! group website members in our first year. All levels of ukulele players welcome. For further information, visit our group website http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ukulele_Society_of_America/ and ask Captain Mike to join.
Ocean House of Carlsbad Village (Palm Room)
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, west of the I-5 Carlsbad Village Drive exit, at the intersection with Pacific Coast Highway.


Alternating Thursdays 7:15 - 9:30 PM:
The Jumpin Flea Circus Players Players Of Los Angeles
It's large, eclectic membership gathers twice a month in Sherman Oaks for ukulele fun and fellowship.
The Jumpin Fleas play songs from every time and place, though there's a fondness for tin pan alley, jazz standards, comedy and folk songs. Led by professor of uke Clay Allen, the first hour of the fleas meeting in dedicated to improving the musicianship of the players. The second hour reviews the club's favorite songs of the day. Come join us, won't you. You won't regret it!
Info: http://www.jumpingflea.tumblr.com
Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423


Every Friday from 10:30am to 12 noon
THE RIO-ALTAS UKULELE CLUB
The Rio-Altas gather at the Rialto Senior Center at 1411 S. Riverside Ave. Rialto, CA.
Our song book contains many styles of music: Tin Pan Alley, Easy Listening, Hawaiian, Spanish, Country etc...
Bring your ukulele and be ready to sing with the Rio-Altas!! We also welcome banjo, guitar, harmonica and other instrumentalist to join us for a good time.
For more information call Cathy Ekaitis - (909) 875-1054
Rialto Senior Center,1411 S. Riverside Ave.,Rialto, CA.


Friday mornings 10:30 am
SURF CITY STRUMMERS- meet at Island Bazaar every Friday morning at 10:30am. We play standards of all eras and have opportunities to solo, also. About 40 players show up each week to start the weekend right. Please join us. $5.00 donation requested, but not mandatory. If you're visiting the Southland from out of the area, please come!
Island Bazaar, 16582 Gothard St. "R", Huntington Beach, CA. 92647- 714-843-9350. Ukuleleparadise.com


Saturdays 9:30 am - 11:00 am
The Southbay Strummers
Ukulele strummers of all ages and from all walks of life meet at the
Bartlett Senior Citizens Center, 1318 Cravens Ave., Torrance, California
(310-320-5918)
http://www.ukulelestrummers.com


Saturdays 1 - 2:30pm
Santa Barbara Ukulele/singing group meets every
Saturday at the East Beach Bath House from 1:00 - 2:30pm.
Bring a music stand, ukulele, and a portable chair.
There is street parking on Ninos in front of the Zoo.
Call ahead to make sure they are meeting: Paul Halula at 882-2495

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FOR AN EXTENSIVE WORLDWIDE CALENDAR OF HAWAIIAN MUSIC
CONCERTS & EVENTS CHECK OUT THE "HAWAIIAN CONCERT GUIDE"
http://www.hawaiianconcertguide.com/