No. 55, Winter 2026

In this issue we take a look at the two sides of Jake Shimabukuro, using his two album releases from 2026 as examples. On one side, he is a brilliant arranger and gifted player, traits he showcases on the covers album Pop Experience. On the other, he is a deeply thoughtful composer, which is highlighted on Calm Seas. Jake discusses the inspiration behind these albums and how he approaches each type of creative project.

We also chat with Sunny Promyotin, leader of streaming stalwarts Sunny and the Black Pack. Using ukulele as a lead instrument, Sunny’s funky takes on nursery rhymes and ripping solos in the style of Jimi Hendrix caught the eye of America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel, who recruited the group as his house band for the podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff. And fingerstyle guitar great Alex De Grassi talks about his turn toward uke, taking his singular approach to guitar and translating it to the four-string.

We’ve also got a look at ukulele technology, highlighting the unusual, the useful, and the incredible gadgets and innovations available today. There’s also a roundup of five solid-body electric ukes, with each run through a scientific (and fun) playing and testing process. Plus, a look at vintage Hawaiian Mossman ukes of yesteryear, and an interview with Ashland, Oregon–based uke builder David Ingalls of Ono ukuleles exploring his connection between building sailboats and ukuleles.

In our lessons section, you’ll learn how to instantly play a blues solo, then how to refine it to express your own artistic voice. And you will learn how to end a song, or just wrap up a jazzy jam set, with a lesson on jazz turnarounds. Songs include a fingerstyle arrangement of the folk standard “Shady Grove,” and a Travis-picking take on “Nine Pound Hammer.”

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