Jake Shimabukuro is another artist who owes his career to the Internet. Despite being a fabulously talented musician, he plays an instrument too many people mistakenly consider a joke: the ukulele. People forget too often, in too many contexts, that the tool is less important that the person wielding it. And Jake knows how to wield his axe.

Or his uke. He is as good as any musician around, but who's going to ever hear about, much listen to, a guy with an unpronounceable last name who lives in Hawaii and plays — what? You're kidding, right? But thanks to YouTube, people could click on the link, have their consciousness expanded and then share the link with friends. And before you can say "Don Ho", the kid's a star. As he deserves to be.

I heard about him from my son, who saw him perform at the World Music Fest in Grass Valley, CA (run by his mom's husband's brother & sil, or sister & bil; I don't know and do not care). So I watched Jake on YT, I got my consciousness expanded and have since acquired more of his music. His choice of music is eclectic and it has one common element throughout:

The guy kicks its ass.

Jake Shimabukuro. This is the piece that got him known, a version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" that gives George Harrison smiles in heaven.