Browsing category: Ukulele Stories

  • October 31, 2025

    Ukulele Stories: Christopher Davis-Shannon

    In L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Tin Woodman decides, “I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.”

    Fast-forward 125 years and Christopher Davis-Shannon, aka The Tin Man, is using the ukulele to spread happiness.

    In this engaging conversation, Christopher shares insights from his musical journey, chats about the creation of the fantastic Magic Ukulele Club, and offers practical tips for effective practice. The discussion highlights the joy of collaboration and learning in music.

    Enjoy!

    Cameron Murray

    Magic Ukulele Club

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  • September 30, 2025

    Ukulele Stories: Roy Sakuma

    Aloha!

    Bit of a blast from the past this month…

    In 2002, I travelled to Honolulu with my brother Alastair to attend the 32nd Annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii. While I was there, I had the opportunity to interview the great Roy Sakuma, the man who invented the festival in 1972. We had a wide-ranging chat that included an amazing Lyle Ritz story, as well as some neat playing from Roy! Please excuse the audio quality – the conversation was digitised from a microcassette.

    Hope you enjoy it!

    Cameron Murray aka Kamuke

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  • August 30, 2025

    Ukulele Stories: Peter Luongo

    My first encounter with Peter Luongo is etched in my memory.

    On a balmy evening in Waikiki in 2002, I walked into a hotel and was greeted by the extraordinary sound of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble, a school group from British Columbia, Canada. Out front, conducting the strum-happy teens, was the most enthusiastic man I had ever seen. Grinning from ear to ear while leading the band with total precision, it was truly something to behold.

    Peter and I had an engaging conversation and I hope you enjoy it!

    Cameron Murray

    langleyukes.com

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  • July 30, 2025

    Ukulele Stories: Sam Muir

    Meet Sam Muir, the first person in the world to do a PhD on the ukulele! 🎓 You can hear all about it on the latest episode of my “Ukulele Stories” podcast. Listen here or download it now from your fave pod place! 

    Enjoy,

    Cameron Murray

    Sam’s website: iloveclassicalukulele.com

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  • June 30, 2025

    Ukulele Stories: Shawn Yacavone

    To most people, the ukulele is simply an easy-to-play social instrument. But to Shawn Yacavone, it’s much more important than that. To him, it’s a powerful cultural icon and a vital link to the Kingdom of Hawaii.

    Shawn spends a lot of time finding and acquiring historic and significant instruments, with a view to one day opening a ukulele museum and research library.

    “My contribution is in the area of repatriating – bringing the instruments back to Hawaii, restoring them, and then sharing the sound,” he explains.

    We had a fantastic chat and I highly recommend you stick around until the end for a very special surprise!

    Happy listening,

    Cameron Murray

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