2017
FESTIVAL ARTISTS
Lil' Rev
About the Artist
Lil' Rev is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter & music-historian. He has written several ukulele instructional books for Hal Leonard, is contributor for Ukulele Magazine, and tours nationally.
Artist Website: lilrev.com
Sarah Maisel
About the Artist
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Sarah has always had a love for music. At the age of 6, she began violin lessons and played in youth orchestras for several years. Her focus was primarily classical for the 10 years she studied. Sarah took a break from music in college, following her other passion, theatre. She studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received her BFA in Costume Technology. After graduating in 2004, she moved out to San Diego, California to work for the La Jolla Playhouse and the University of California San Diego Theatre Department. In September 2006, Sarah was introduced to the ‘ukulele and renewed her passion for music. Studying under Frank Leong, Sarah dove into the jazz stylings of golden age Hawai'i songs and arrangements inspired by ‘ukulele legends like Lyle Ritz, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. She focused her time and effort working on Jazz Standards and arrangements. In 2009, Frank introduced Sarah to a local producer whom with, she subsequently recorded 3 albums.
Artist Website: cheemaisel.com
Craig Chee
About the Artist
Wanting to bring something to share on the mainland, Craig chose to focus on the ukulele before leaving Hawai’i for college. Although Craig had grown up playing the cello and piano, he wanted something that gave a little more distinction of coming from the islands. During Christmas and summer breaks of his Freshman year at the University of Oregon, Craig has had the pleasure of studying under Jake Shimabukuro and Troy Fernandez. Ever since then Craig has been trying to further experiment with the ukulele in settings that aren’t typically associated with the instrument. Craig loves collaboration and has enjoyed working with artists such as Aldrine Guerreo & Aaron Nakamura (UkuleleUnderground.com), Ryo Montgomery, Abe Lagrimas Jr., The Quiet American, and his wife, Sarah Maisel. From workshops to individual lessons, Craig has been teaching throughout the past 6 years and couldn’t be happier. Craig often remarks “if I’m not playing at any given moment, I hope to be teaching!” Craig hopes to continue to travel and share his passion for the ukulele and expand on how people view the instrument!
Artist Website: cheemaisel.com
Taimane
About the Artist
International ukulele virtuoso, Taimane, has experienced a breakout year in 2017 launching
herself into the national psyche thanks to performances in front of crowds of over 10,000 at
iconic venues Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Gorge Amphitheater in July and her selling out
a host of shows on the west coast thereafter during her first ever headline tour. Concert goers
and arts presenters alike have responded with glowing praise and excitement. "Every so often we discover an artist as he or she is about to emerge into a much bigger arena. These experiences have included Chris Botti, Trombone Shorty, Kamasi Washington and Lake Street Dive. Now, we have a new discovery - Taimane. She's destined for a big, bright future, and I encourage you to catch her show as soon as you can." -Bruce Labadie, San Jose Jazz Artistic and Festival Director
Artist Website: taimane.com
Rachel Manke
About the Artist
Rachel Manke has been called one of the brightest stars in the ukulele universe, and loves sharing her astounding technique and beautiful singing with audiences young and old. She has appeared on stages that range from the Ashokan Uke Fest and Midwest Uke Camp, to Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion.
Rachel started in the late 90's on a $25 Hilo soprano and came to the uke world via the founders of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum. She first studied with Joel Eckhaus, directly learning from the well known student of the famed Roy Smeck. Ever since, she has continued to learn and perform, and is now a respected teacher as well. She has a penchant for Tin Pan Alley, old-time music, and is a master of the old-school uke chord solo flourish.
Artist Website: rachelmanke.com
Ukulele Underground
About
UkuleleUnderground.com was created in 2007 with the purpose of helping to grow the next generation of ukulele players throughout the world. For years, the ukulele had been labeled a toy instrument never to be taken seriously. Today, Ukulele Underground continues to challenge the world's preconceived notions of what the ukulele is supposed to sound like and break barriers that limit the types of music the ukulele is associated with.