The five most famous ukulele players in the world

The small four-string ukulele is becoming more popular every year: it is easy to learn, but it sounds interesting, inexpensive and does not require any special skills. Largely because of this, novice musicians increasingly prefer this instrument.

But it would be foolish to believe that the ukulele is played just because it is “simple”. It would be even more foolish to think that this tool is suitable only for beginners and children. With skills and talent, you can play songs on the ukulele that will become masterpieces and bring fame to the performer. This is what happened to the musicians we will talk about later.

Israel Kamakawiwoole

This great musician began to play the ukulele from childhood . Together with his brother and friends, he organizes the group “The Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau”. The young group quickly becomes famous in Hawaii, and soon in some states of America.

But the real fame came to Kamakawiwoola when he started his solo career. The musician arrived at the recording studio late at night and recorded the legendary “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” medley . All he needed for this was a ukulele and his impeccable voice.

After that, Kamakawiwoole continued to record compositions, each of which had a special, “Hawaiian” sound.

James Hill

The musician was barely 30, and he was already very popular . His unpredictable performances have gained worldwide fame, which would be the envy of many rock musicians.

Tickets for the artist’s concerts fly at lightning speed, and everyone who manages to attend the performances of this ukulele player consider themselves lucky .

Hill’s skill has made him a ukulele guru who generously shares his knowledge and experience with those around him.

In 2011, the musician released an album called “Man With a Love Song”. This collection of songs performed to the accompaniment of the ukulele made a splash. We can say that he even turned the world of ukulele music upside down. Incredibly fast and accurate playing, perfect sounding – this is all Hill and the compositions from the 2011 album.

Eddie Vedder

Eddie Vedder with ukulele

The vocalist and guitarist of Pearl Jam is also a longtime ukulele fan. The musician even recorded a separate album “Ukulele Songs”. On this record, not only his own songs, but also covers.

The album was warmly received by the musician’s fans. On the Metacrtitc website, the release has 68%, but critics noted that the ukulele does not allow the musician to reveal the full range of emotions in the music he plays. The tool here, as it were, limits its possibilities.

Eddie himself didn’t care . He had a successful tour with this album, and the musician’s videos have collected a large number of views on YouTube.

The musician’s fans have written many positive comments about how Vedder plays the ukulele. And one girl even got married to the song “Longing to Belong”:

“This song played when I got married. In fact, there were several songs playing there. This one was one of them. The other was ‘Just Breath’.”

(“Just Breath” – “Pearl Jam song”)

Tayman Gardner

Tayman Gardner

Usually, when trying to imagine a musician playing the ukulele, an uncle in a light shirt with palm trees and a wicker hat, singing a simple song in a gentle voice, immediately comes to mind. Gardner gradually destroys this stereotype with his work.

A girl from Honolulu started playing the ukulele when she was only five years old . She quickly mastered the instrument, and soon her talent was noticed by the famous Hawaiian musician Don Ho . She performed with him in Waikiki and quickly became popular . In 2005, the girl’s first album was released, all the songs of which were recorded under the ukulele.

Teiman’s compositions combine classical music, flamenco, pop and even classic rock, and most importantly – all this in one song! The girl knows how to professionally interact with the audience, keeping attention on her beautiful compositions.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Yes, the famous wrestler and actor also knows how to play the ukulele. And how! In Journey 2: Mystic Island, The Rock performed “What a Wonderful World” on the ukulele.

It turned out that the actor ‘s mother , Ata Johnson, masterfully plays the ukulele. She taught her son music. The Rock later invited his mother to sing on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.

Ata Johnson grew up in Hawaii. On the show, she played a traditional Hawaiian song that she later said she always sings with her family when she visits her homeland.

She remade the ending specifically for Fallon: “We love you, Jimmy.” During the song, Dwayne could barely contain his laughter, but still sang along. The TV presenter was completely delighted with what was happening.

Under the recording of the broadcast on YouTube, Dwayne’s fans and now fans of his musical mother were very moved by this song and wrote laudatory comments to the Johnson family:

“Am I the only one who fell in love with the Rock’s mother? Ata Johnson is too cute!”

There were also funny comments:

“All: The Rock is the biggest star. Make me change my mind.
Mama Rock: Hold my beer.