News about ukuleles and ukulele music.
Horace Weston was considered to be the finest banjo player the world had ever seen. Weston performed extensively throughout North America and Europe from the 1860s until his death in 1890. He was one of a few African Americans in the 19th century who performed in minstrel shows, largely to White audiences.Horace Weston was also the first African American to get credited for his banjo compositions. In the 1880s, S.S. Stewart published a couple dozen of Weston's banjo tunes. All 24 of his banjo solos and duets are presented here in crystal clear tablature for re-entrant ukulele. These are very challenging and not suitable for beginners. You will most likely need a tenor ukulele for some of the arrangements that use the higher frets. Certain tunes like Home Sweet Home are almost unplayable, but that's pretty much how the banjo version is too. There are many reasons why Horace Weston was The Champion Banjoist of the Entire World.
Friend o' the Blog Rachel Manke recently scored a sweet, nearly mint condition Smeck Harmony uke. But the most remarkable part of her find was this printed paper back that uke originally came in.
In my quarter-century of sleuthing out arcane ukulele artifacts, I've never seen one of these until today. I've found one other one, but Rachel's seems to be in much better condition.
Have you? If so, drop us a note in the comments!
I always wondered why old Will had it in for our favorite instrument (even though it's been the butt of jokes almost since it hit American shores...)
Curiosity got the better of me the other day and so I did some searching to see if I could find the original quote.
Turns out it's from a Chicago Examiner newspaper article, ca. March 3, 1918.
What's even more interesting is the context in which the quote is found, particularly in light of the current war between Ukraine and Russia.
The article begins,
"Now they've asked me to write about Russia.
"That's fine! There's some sense to that. I can write about Russia for I know that my readers don't know any more about Russia than I do..."
"There is always this to look forward to with Russia. Pick up the morning paper and look for Russian news and have a fear of reading the worst; you won't be disappointed."
Rogers is writing about the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which would have been in the news. The treaty gave independence to Ukraine. Rogers continues,
"You see, Germany was willing to treat for peace as long as Russia did all the treating.
"Now they have given German freedom to some province called Ukrainia (sic); sounds like ukulele, and I doubt it it will flourish even as long as that short-lived instrument."
(Ukulele – Ukraine...it's word-play! And note that Rogers seemed to have considered the ukulele passé by 1918!)
"The ukulele had this advantage: Not even a trained musician could tell if you were playing on it or just monkeying with it, but the Ukrainian liberty can't fool anybody; those poor independents have "Made in Germany" stamped all over it."
(Emphasis mine)
The rest of the article is primarily about Russia being taken for fools by Germany. Perhaps a reader/historian more conversant with the treaty and the geopolitics of the time can chime in in the comments. I'll leave it there.
You'll find Rogers' full article in The Papers of Will Rogers: From the Broadway stage to the national stage, September 1915-July 1928, University of Oklahoma Press, 2005, p 121- 122.
An update on luthier Dave Talsma, who today is having his 11th surgery following a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago.
Denise Talsma reports that Dave remains in good spirits and is making progress like a champ. TALSMASTRONG!
If you're a fan of Dave and his work, you can help Dave and Denise out with a gift of support during Dave's surgeries and recovery. Here's the Gofundme page where you can make a donation: Link
And it being October now, here's a Halloween treat. Dave's Jack Skellington camp style ukulele!
With the passing of Jimmy Buffett earlier this week, we were reminded of of a couple of his memorable ukulele performances.
Here is an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon...
Jimmy making a surprise appearance with his cousin Warren at a Berkshire Hathaway event for MBA students. Stay through the end for Warren's remarks...
Jimmy was also instrumental in introducing Jake Shimabukuro to Parrotheads. Here's a nice little clip of Jake telling the story of Jimmy inviting him to sit in with the band.
And a little of Jimmy singing Jake's praises...
Have another memory to share? Post it in the comments.
Sending much aloha to our friend and master luthier Dave Talsma, who is recovering from a recent motorcycle accident.
It seems his injuries were significant, but that he's making progress and is remaining in good spirits.
Love, too, to his wife Denise and the entire Talsma family.
If you'd like to send Dave a card, here is his mailing address:
7550 Church Street
Swartz Creek, Michigan 48473
If you don't yet know Dave's work, check it out now. He's the genius builder of the legendary Warren Buffett Dairy Queen Ukulele. Amazing work, and truly fine player's instruments. Link
We have learned of the passing of Pamela Schulting, one-half (with Beth Allen) of the early Third-Wave ukulele duo, Pineapple Princess.
Pineapple Princess was featured in the 2003 documentary "Rock That Uke" by our friend Bill Robertson.
"Pineapple Princess is a San Francisco-based electric punk uke duo who play raucously scatalogical anthems to booze and sex. The duo is comprised of Beth Allen, a former bassist for the punk band The Loudmouths, and Pamela Schulting, a school teacher and highly accomplished hula dancer with the Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu dance troupe."
If you haven't seen Rock That Uke, do yourself a favor and check it out. Especially if you weren't around before the 'uke went mainstream, and only true kooks (guilty) were strumming...
The film's YouTube site is here. Buy the DVD here.
Earlier Ukulelia post here: Link
