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Mission Statement: SUP, Serious Ukulele Players, is here to promote, unite and enforce the new school Ukulele movement.
Welcome to SUP, the resource for hip, fresh, modern and Serious Ukulele Players. The SUP community is passionate about the Ukulele and we want to squash all cheesey stereotypes assosiated with the Ukulele. Yes, Ukulele, the little four stringged instrument from Hawaii (actually Portugal). The Tiny Tim era is over and young, talented Ukulele players are sprouting up all over the world. SUP is your one-stop for all the latest in Serious Ukulele Media. There will be a featured artist every month, so check back often. That's what's SUP!
FEATURED ARTIST - Abe Lagrimas Jr.
S U P Okay, let’s get the typical questions out of the way. Where are you from? How old are you? How long have you been playing the Ukulele?
A B E I am originally from Guam, but was raised in Hawaii. I'm 24 years old and i've been playing the ukulele for 4 years now.
S U P Who is the maker of your Uke(s) what size and tuning do you prefer?
A B E Koolau makes my ukuleles. I prefer playing tenor ukuleles in the re-entrant (high G) tuning.
S U P Do you have a Uke sponsor? If so, who? If not, which maker would you want to play for?
A: I am currently sponsored by Koolau Ukuleles. Thanks to John Kitakis and everyone at Koolau.
S U P What’s your musical background, do you play any other instruments or have any formal music training?
A B E I started playing the drums at age 4 and took private lessons for 4 years throughout middle school and high school. I learned basic music theory in band class and furthered my education in music at the berklee college of music. I also play the vibraphone and been playing that since high school.
S U P If you didn’t live in Hawaii do you think you would have taken up the Uke?
A B E I would say probably not. If I were to visit Hawaii, it would be more likely for me to pick it up, or to have go through some type of experience that's related to Hawaii.
S U P Sorry got to ask more Hawaii questions, us mainlanders are envious. What’s it like to be able to walk in to a music store with a whole wall of quality Ukes calling your name?Most of us just cross our fingers and hope that online order is the axe for us.
A B E It just so happens that I come from a place where the finest ukuleles in the world are made. Even though I've been only playing for 4 years now, I've been lucky to have only played quality instruments. I learned how to play on my friend's Kamaka and now I'm currently endorsed by Koolau. I guess it doesn't really phase me as much when I see an entire wall of quality ukuleles.
S U P What was the first song you learned? Would you say you have have more cover songs or original compositions in your repritoire?
A B E The first song I learned was Guava Jam by the Kaau Crater Boys. While in college, I spent my entire spring break in my dorm (while majority of the students went home) learning how to play the instrument. I transcribed many tunes by Kaau and Jake Shimabukuro. I didn't set any limits as to what can and cannot be done on the instrument. As of now, I have more cover tunes in my repertoire. I still find it a challenge to compose on a regular basis.
S U P Tell us about your musical collaborations?
A B E Most of the people I have collaborated with musically are the local jazz musicians here in Hawaii. I play with a lot of them on many different engagements and from that I learn so much about the different voices and their functions in a musical group so when I compose music, I put all of that into consideration. There is one tune on my album, "Space 32" where the pianist (Heean Ko) and I worked on the arrangement of the piece. Other than than, most of the music I compose are all original without collaborating with anyone.
S U P When you come to the states, how do other musicians react to you playing the Uke.
A B E I think most people find my playing to be a little different than most ukulele players for a couple of reasons. First, I taught myself how to play simply by sitting down and learning how the instrument works. Second, my musical background is heavily based on jazz and jazz harmonies. I began learning jazz voicings and songs by Charlie Parker and really got into playing bebop on the ukulele.
S U P How often do you perform live, and what is your favorite type of venue?
A B E In case you didn't know, I am first and foremost a drummer and most of the work I do is on the drums. I perform almost every night here in Honolulu playing jazz. I am also a drummer in the dance and nightclub scene performing popular rap, hip-hop and dance hits. I mostly enjoy playing jazz music, whether it's on the drums, vibraphone, or ukulele.
S U P Do you think the Ukulele will ever become “mainstream�
A B E I do believe the ukulele will become mainstream someday. There are a lot of great solo ukulele players out there but I think the instrument will gain more mainstream status if it were used in a musical group setting other than hawaiian or reggae music.
S U P Would you be against that happening?
A B E In music, I can almost never say that I'm against something that allows the music to evolve and change unless it's degrading for the music itself.
S U P Who are the Ukulele players you admire?
A B E James Hill, Benny Chong, Jake Shimabukuro, Bill Tapia.
S U P Now let’s get serious, do the chicks dig your Uke skills?
A B E I believe I can say chicks dig my uke skills. I just got engaged a month ago so I guess I'm doing something right here. She's my number one fan.
S U P What are your future plans for your music?
A B E I'm currently awaiting the release of my album in Japan on the Universal Japan label in August. I will also be moving to Los Angeles to continue and pursue my music career playing drums, ukulele, and vibraphone.
S U P If you could choose any artist on a major label, to collaborate with, who would it be?
A B E I would love to collaborate with a pianist by the name of Brad Mehldau. Generally known as a jazz pianist, I feel that his music is just good music and doesn't have to be categorized under a specific genre.
S U P Can you tell us about your album and were we could get a copy?
A B E My album is available on my website at myspace.com/abelagrimasjr and at CDBaby (http://cdbaby.com/cd/abelagrimasjr)
S U P What would you say to someone interested in learning to play the Uke, but he / she is concerned that people will not take them seriously?
A B E If you love the ukulele, be proud to be a part of it. I remember walking around with my ukulele around Berklee College of Music (a music college!) and my friends didn't take me seriously that I played the ukulele nor that I was carrying one to begin with. Then I would play some crazy Charlie Parker tune and that would be the end of it. So if you're interested in learning the uke, learn something really cool, then show it to whoever that doesn't take you seriously.
S U P Alright man, any final words, shout-outs or shameless plugs?
A B E Big thanks to everyone at Koolau Ukuleles (John Kitakis, Andrew Kitakis, and Noa Bonk) and thank you SUP!!
ABE's Myspace
GOOD BYE RECORDER - HELLO UKE! - THE FUTURE SUP-ers
