We are thrilled to have this power house trio joining us in our Backyard! Cynthia Lin is known for her work on Youtube and Patreon teaching and sharing the versatility of the ukulele. Lendle San Jose, known as UkuLenny, creates joy wherever he goes, bringing everyone together to jam and have fun. And Abe Lagrimas Jr. has traveled the world performing and teaching not only ukulele, but Vibraphone, percussion, and his 1st instrument, the drums. All of this talent culminates into group that we know you will love - Please welcome U3. This concert will have it’s live Premiere April 23, 2023 at 9AM HAWAII TIME.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Ala Moana Hotel - Analysis Plus Cables - aNueNue USA - ArtistWorks - GHS Strings - Hawaiian Host

Kamaka Ukulele - Kanile’a Ukulele - Ohana Ukulele - Pro Camera Hawaii - The Ukulele Site - Ukulele Magazine

Concert Premiere

The Live Premiere of this concert was a blast. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us in the Live Chat! We had many free goodies to give away and it was a great hang. Please share this concert with your friends and family, it’s free!

Scroll down to see all of our past concerts from Season 2!

If you enjoy this concert series, please think about lending a hand! It takes a lot of time and energy to produce these free concerts and their free digital programs. To learn more please CLICK HERE.

Concert #5 - Aldrine Guerrero & Aaron Nakamura

Aldrine Guerrero and Aaron Nakamura are two of the founding members of Ukulele Underground. Both of them have a passion for teaching and music, and we are fortunate to have them for this intimate concert. They have toured extensively around the world, sharing the joy of the ukulele. This concert premiered March 26, 2023.

CONCERT #4 - Brittni Paiva

Brittni Paiva is Hawaii's preeminent, award-winning female ukulele artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her modern approach to the traditional Hawaiian instrument has gained her a legion of fans. Her ability to bring the ukulele to the forefront of many genres breaks down barriers and changes perceptions of what is possible from this humble instrument. Brittni is also credited with being one of the pioneers of combining ukulele music and the loop pedal, creating beautiful, layered arrangements resulting in her being amongst the most watched ukulele artists on YouTube. 

CONCERT #3 - Corey Fujimoto & Kalei Gamiao

This concert aired in January 2023 and featured Corey Fujimoto & Kalei Gamiao. Both of them are immensely talented and have toured all over the world. Many may recognize them from the Ukulele Site’s Podcasts, as they do many of the sound samples for the instruments. They are the founders of aNueNue USA (2020) and enjoy the opportunity to share their passion for instruments.

CONCERT #2 - Jon Yamasato & Herb Ohta Jr.

Concert #2 aired in December 2022 and featured Jon Yamasato and Herb Ohta Jr. Both of them are amazing musicians that have done a lot for the ‘ukulele community. Many of you may know Jon Yamasato for his work with Hi-Sessions, being the singer for Pure Heart, and having his own solo career.

Herb Ohta Jr. is a staple in the ‘ukulele community. He is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner and is known for, not only his original music, but also his teaching style.

CONCERT #1 - NUE

NUE - Nā ‘Ukulele ‘Ekolu is Bryan Tolentino on tenor ‘ukulele, Halehaku Seabury on baritone ‘ukulele and Kama Hopkins on bass 'ukulele.

These three Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners, rooted in Hawai’i’s rich ‘Ukulele and Hawaiian music culture, come together to showcase their ‘ukulele artistry and vocal stylings creating a unique sound!

Don’t forget, you can order their DEBUT album! Visit their website, www.NueHawaii.com.

This concert was our fundraiser and required purchase. We had enough support from this concert to allow us to have the rest of the series be free to the public.

International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific `ukulele masters. Influenced by Jazz, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music, he puts his stamp on Hawaiian music by pushing the limits of tone and technique on this beautiful instrument. The son of `ukulele legend "Ohta-san," he started playing at the age of three, and teaching at the age of nine. He now shares the music of Hawai‘i and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops.

His recording debut was in 1990 on his father’s recording. Since then, Herb has recorded on over 50 recordings with 13 Solo and 13 duet recordings to his credit. With 17 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, he has won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for "ʻUkulele Nahenahe” in 2011, “Pure ʻUkulele” in 2013, Instrumental Song of the Year in 2013, “ʻUkulele Friends” in 2015, “ʻUkulele Friends The Sequel in 2018, and “ʻUkulele Hula” in 2019. Herb is also a four-time Hawai‘i Music Award Winner as well. Herb has released 3 national releases in Japan, 1 in Taiwan, co-authored two ‘ukulele instructional books with Grammy Award artist Daniel Ho that was released in Japan and the United States, and in 2015 Herb published a songbook of his arrangements in Korea.

Kalei began playing the ukulele at 13 and was instantly hooked. His exposure to a wide variety of ukulele masters including Alfred Canopin, Gordon Mark, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong and Kimo Hussey, motivated him to embrace a range of styles - jazz, rock, pop, classical, blues, flamenco, funk, as well as the music of his cultural roots, Hawaiian and island contemporary.

With 3 completed nominated albums to his name Kalei Gamiao been at the forefront of today’s ukulele revolution since 2008 when his debut album, “Contemporary Ukulele”. After the release of his second album entitled “Redefined” in 2012 a greater demand for more of his music and performances exposed Kalei to hundreds of thousands of ukulele enthusiasts from around the world as he continues to tour countries such as Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the U.S mainland. When his third album “Merry Ukulele Christmas” released in 2013 as a seasonal project it propelled and broadened Kalei’s repertoire to new levels as many web and social media sites provide instant access for his fans to stay connected to his music and the explosive world-wide popularity of the ukulele. With the release of his 4th latest album “These Moments” in 2016 he has already traveled and performed in different parts of the world to share his passion for music.

Thank you to our sponsors for making Karlie G’s Concert Giveaways full of Holiday Cheer!

Kanile’a Ukulele, The Ukulele Site, Lele Music Productions, aNueNue Ukulele, Hawaiian Host, GHS Strings, Ohana Ukuleles, Ukulele Magazine, & Fusion Bags

Karlie G is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Hawaii. In 2018 Karlie produced and engineered her first full‐length album titled “Have Fun.” The album received a 2019 Na Hoku Hanohano award for R&B album of the year. Her latest album “Train of Thought” is nominated for this year’s Na Hoku Hanohano award, and she is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Karlie has fast become known as a creative ‘looping’ artist, where she uses effect pedals during live performances effectively creating a one‐girl band. She covers a wide variety of artists and genres and has fast grown a dedicated following on YouTube.

Gallery of Giveaways from our Amazing Sponsors!

Brought up in Hawaii embraced by beauty from the mountains to the sea, Honoka has grown an admiration for the nature that surrounds us. This connection to nature, in all of its diverse vibrancy, is what inspires her music. Spanning across a wide range of genres and eras, Honoka’s music is expressive, poignant, but always rooted in authenticity. In 2019, Honoka released her debut single entitled “Island Of Love” inspired by spending summer at home in Hawaii with the person that she loves. She is currently working on new music and hopes to share it with the world very soon!

Born and raised in Kihei, Maui, Kala’e Camarillo comes from a family of music educators and entertainers. His grandfather, George Camarillo, started the first ʻukulele band in Hawai'i public schools at Waiakea Intermediate, and his father, Rama, followed in his footsteps by becoming an ʻukulele teacher as well.  In addition, his mother, Cora, is the sister of multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner Lehua Kalima of Nā Leo Pilimehana.

At the age of seven, Kala'e's father taught him to play the ‘ukulele, which led to him picking up other instruments like the guitar, bass, and piano.  By the age of 12, he began gigging weekly along side his father.  In 2009, Kala’e moved to O’ahu to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated with a degree in Elementary & Special Education. His education and passion for music led him to becoming a third-generation music teacher (Kapalama Elementary) and professional musician.  In 2017, Kala'e released his his debut album entitled “Working Man.” In 2018, "Working Man" garnered Kala'e a nomination at the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii Grammys), recognizing him as one of Hawaii's "Most Promising Artists." In 2019, he released his sophomore album entitled "Feel at Home."  This album features 11 original tracks and was produced by Hawaii's very own two-time Grammy Award Winning Producer, Dave Tucciarone.  "Feel at Home" went on to win Kala'e his first ever Na Hoku Hanohano award for Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year.

Andrew started playing at the age of 13 inspired by Jake.His first CD “The Beginning” was released in 2013, his next album “A New Journey” was released in 2017 and “Evolve3” will be out April 16th.His music covers a wide variety of genres including, Hawaiian, pop, rock, blues, latin, classical and jazz and is a mix of original music and cover songs. He has traveled and performed across the US and internationally to China, Tahiti, England, Austria, Scotland and Ireland teaching workshops and playing concert dates.

Award winning artist and Maui, HI native Neal Chin, has been both an ‘ukulele educator and performer over the course of his musical career of 19 years. His clear and direct enthusiasm for music has come to life in countless workshops, concerts, and private instruction. While his heart is in jazz, Neal has played with many musicians of different genres including Hawaiian, folk, rock, and hip-hop. His contribution to the collective The Akira Project, won his first Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in 2014 before moving up to the Pacific Northwest. Since then he has been nominated for the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for ‘Ukulele Album of the Year two years consecutively for ‘Ukulele Paintings and The Spotless Mind in 2017 & 2018, started his own ‘ukulele practice in the Pacific Northwest, and has toured from Vancouver Island BC to Milwaukee to his home state, Hawai’i . Neal currently lives, teaches, and performs in Seattle, WA.

Hiʻilani Asing, Krystal Mokuahi, and Cory Mau make up the young, dynamic trio known as Ke`olu. Together, their voices blend to create a unique sound that bridges traditional and contemporary styles.  Their passion and love for music includes not only the traditional Hawaiian genre, but also hits from the 70s, 80s, and more.  They are an incredible joy to watch perform and we know you will love their beautiful harmonies and music.

Thank you to Kanile’a Ukulele for being this concert’s main sponsor.

Recognized as one of Hawaii’s most versatile musicians, Jeff Peterson is at the heart of the Hawaiian music scene today. His passion for the guitar has allowed him to shine as a solo artist and has given him the opportunity to collaborate with a wide variety of artists from Hawaii, across the US, and abroad. Though his focus has been Slack Key Guitar for most of his career, he has always had a passion for ukulele.

He is a multiple Na Noku Hanohano award winner, has contributed to two Grammy Award-winning records, and has even been nominated for a Grammy himself. He’s traveled the world performing and has even had the opportunity to perform with such greats as  Eric Clapton, James Galway, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Aaron Neville, Boz Scaggs, the Honolulu Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Keola Beamer, Nathan Aweau, Amy Hanaiali’i, The Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii, jazz bassist Rufus Reid, and more. Five of his songs were also featured in the movie, The Descendants, staring George Clooney. 

He studied ukulele with renown Jazz Ukulele Player, Benny Chong, and has recently started an Online Ukulele Course called Ukulele Corner. There, students can learn Classical, Hawaiian, Jazz, and even Pop pieces, all through his gentle teaching style. '

Thank you KoAloha for being this concert’s main sponsor.

We had a lot of fun discussing our gear for recording, highlights from the past concerts, and chatting with our friend Herb Ohta Jr. about the future of our Backyard Concert Series. Season 1 was incredibly special and we are looking forward to Season 2, which will begin in November 2022.

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and our viewers, for making Season 1 possible.

We had the pleasure of filming this group in July at the Sheraton Waikiki. Peter Luongo is the director of this international group, with members from all across Canada and the United States. Their concert was a lot of fun to film!