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MUSIC Traveling through time and music Ukulele aficionado Jake Shimabukuro talks about his evolution as a musician Comment By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Jake Shimabukuro's new album, "Travels," is the ukulele player's most diverse yet. His first in three years, the album reflects his expansion as a player and composer. Born and raised in Honolulu, Shimabukuro's music has always centered around ukulele. Known for his energetic strumming, his music has evolved into sophisticated arrangements with spontaneous, improvised passages. His first influences included his mother — who taught him to play the instrument — along with players Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San and Peter Moon. "The last couple of years, I've toured the U.K., Australia, Asia and Japan," Shimabukuro says during a telephone interview. "Being in different countries has been a big influence. It's opened my world to other sounds, types of harmonies and rhythms. I think that's what music is all about." Shimabukuro will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. Tickets are $36, $39 or $42, $25, $28 or $31 for ages 18 and younger, and can be purchased at the box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., online at craterian.org or by calling 541-779-3000. Shimabukuro's new album — released early this month — will be available at the show. "This studio album really captures my personal evolution as a player, from traditional Hawaiian music to East L.A. rock tunes like 'Low Rider' and some Motown stuff like 'I'll Be There.' Then there are the original pieces on this record. The title track has a European jazz influence to it, and tunes like 'Passport' and 'Haven't We Been Here Before?' have more of a Calypso or Latin jazz groove." The title track started out as the "D minor tune," Shimabukuro says. "From there we started calling it 'Travels.' The idea of traveling, movement, resonated with me as some kind of theme. Not just physically, but also like being mentally transported to a different place, even a different time. The tune 'Travels' starts with a tremolo. It's the most far out, most eclectic tune on the album. It has a European jazz flavor to it. It also has some Japanese and Asian influences. I take the sound of a Japanese koto and use a tremolo technique to start, then midway through the song there's a free, improvised, jazzy section. Another standout on the album is the happy and upbeat "Passport," a song that makes Shimabukuro smile, he says. "It's got that feel," he says. "It's a song that makes me want to get out and dance. The whole record kind of reflects that feel." "Kawika" is one of the coolest ukulele tunes, he says. "It's the 'Stairway to Heaven' for ukulele players. It's a traditional piece that was written for King David Kalakaua. We added a modern rhythm section and keyboards to it and put a rock twist on the lead part of the tune. I thought a fade-out would work well for its end. A song like 'Kawika' will continue to evolve. "There's a vibe, a kind of energy, that you can't notate on paper," Shimabukuro says. "There's an 'aloha' spirit in the music." Humble, energetic and fun-loving, Shimabukuro says he can't believe that he gets to make music and travel. "It's always been my dream, and I don't take it for granted. I'm grateful. These things don't last forever. You have to enjoy it while it's happening. I'm making the most of it." Shimabukuro's solo career began in 2002 when he signed with Epic Records, becoming the first ukulele player to sign with a Sony Music division. His solo releases positioned him as an established musician in Hawaii and Japan, but it was a cover of George Harrison's “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that launched him onto the international music scene. Since then, he's collaborated with such notables as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pop artist Jimmy Buffet, banjo aficionado Bela Fleck and country artist Vince Gill, to name a few. Shimabukuro travels light on his solo tours. He'll be joined by bass player Nolan Verner from Nashville for the Oct. 26 show in Medford. "Just to ground the music a bit," he says. By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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