{"product_id":"no-55-winter-2026","title":"No. 55, Winter 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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 \u003ci\u003ePop Experience.\u003c\/i\u003e On the other, he is a deeply thoughtful composer, which is highlighted on \u003ci\u003eCalm Seas. \u003c\/i\u003eJake discusses the inspiration behind these albums and how he approaches each type of creative project.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eAmerica’s Got Talent\u003c\/i\u003e judge Howie Mandel, who recruited the group as his house band for the podcast \u003ci\u003eHowie Mandel Does Stuff\u003c\/i\u003e. 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe sure to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.ukulelemag.com\/products\/ukulele-subscription\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003esubscribe to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eUkulele\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to get all future entertaining, enlightening, and inspiring stories (in print and digital formats).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Stringletter","offers":[{"title":"PDF Digital","offer_id":58015483756727,"sku":"Winter 2026 Digital","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Magazine","offer_id":58015483789495,"sku":"Winter 2026","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0397\/8489\/files\/UKE55.jpg?v=1793997733","url":"https:\/\/store.ukulelemag.com\/products\/no-55-winter-2026","provider":"Ukulele","version":"1.0","type":"link"}