No. 18, Fall 2017

We look back at Iz’s life on the 20th anniversary of his death in 1997 with an extensive feature by Blair Jackson and a transcription of one of Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole’s all-time most loved songs. This issue’s special Tiki Time section centers on a feature by one of the all-time experts, Sven Kirsten and includes a music portion with a lesson in bossa-nova. We roundup 7 baritone ukes from Cordoba, Lanikai, Lo Prinzi, Ohana, Ortega, and two from Kala. Steven Espaniola has advice and music for injecting some aloha into your next kani ka pila. Ukulele expert Sandor Nagyszalanczy shows off the Echo-Uke, an oddity from the early years with a built-in effect. Heidi Swedberg takes us to Lansing, Michigan, where the ukulele looms might large.

Lessons:

• Daniel Ward teaches you how to have more control over your sound
• Jim D’Ville shows you how three moveable chord shapes can open the door to millions of songs

Learn to Play:

• “Ka Pua U ’I” from Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole
• “The Open Road” by Jumpin’ Jim Beloff