Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro plays Clearwater on Friday

Hawaii-born ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro’s latest album Jake & Friends, which dropped in 2021, is not a collection of recordings with people Jake Shimabukuro has regularly worked and toured with over the course of his life.

Instead, he brings heroes from all generations and genres together. I mean, did you ever think you’d hear Bette Midler, Billy Strings (playing Tampa this week!), Michael McDonald, and Willie Nelson on the same record?

Shimabukuro’s show is not affiliated with the Ukulele Fest in The District happening downtown, but it’s pretty cool that they’re happening at the same time.

Tickets to see Jake Shimabukuro play Bilheimer Capitol Theatre on Friday, April 14 are still available and start at $25.

This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2023.