Ukulelist Jake Shimabukuro Collabs with Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, and More on Star Packed New Album, Jake & Friends

Episode 234,   Dec 23, 2021, 07:33 PM

Jake Shimabukuro still pinches himself to believe the stars who joined him on his latest album, Jake & Friends, which he jokes should be called “Jake and dreams come true.” The famed ukulele player duets with Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Jimmy Buffett, Moon Taxi, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill, and Amy Grant, Jon Anderson, Ziggy Marley, Warren Haynes, Jack Johnson, Jesse Colin Young, Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, Sonny Landreth, Lukas Nelson and Billy Strings on the 16-track album that dropped last month.

Getting his start on YouTube, the Hawaiian-born musician turned into a viral sensation after his version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” gained views and “started this whole touring career for me,” he says. Shimabukuro caught the attention of Jimmy Buffett, who took him under his wing and invited him to tour with him as a member of the Coral Reef Band.

Since then, whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, or even classical, to perform at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and the Sydney Opera House, Shimabukuro has used his versatile playing style. And he was recently nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a Member of the National Council on the Arts.

The artist stopped by the LifeMinute studios to tell us all about the new record, plus what it was like working with such a collection of talented and notable people in the music biz. And of course, we had him play a few of his favorites off the new album, including a cover of The Beatles’ George Harrison’s “Something” featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant and his mom’s fave, “The Rose” featuring Bette Midler.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/music/video/ukulelist-jake-shimabukuro-collabs-bette-midler-willie-nelson-jimmy-buffett-and-more