Iwao

Iwao is the stage name of Yamaguchi Iwao, one of the best known of the younger generation of uke players.

One of his themes seems to be getting a new Shimo ukulele and using that to create a new album. Most of the recent ukuleles he uses frequently appear to be baritones.

He is putting out his eighth ukulele album 21July.

Judging by song titles and the guests appearing on the CD, this upcoming album will have more of a Hawaiian sound than most of his previous work."Hawaiian Morning" will include such standards as "Blue Hawaii" and "Lei Pikake". But, it will also contain non-Hawaiian efforts such as "And I Love Her" and "Stella by Starlight".

The ablum will also differ from his previous works that I have heard as it will contain more vocals. Iwao is principally an instrumentalist and his offerings do normally include much in the way of singing. Judging from the write-up on this album, his guests will be handling the vocals.

Although he does sometimes play as a soloist, much of his music is featured with backup musicians. Two of his CDs that grace my collection "Post Card Summer" and "Natureza" flirt with some Hawaiian musical ideas--the former more than the latter. Both have heavy jazz infusions and "Natureza" has definite undercurrents of Brazilian influence.

In addition to his own works, he has also collaborated with quite a few compliations.

In Japan, original compliations of ukulele music are popular among fans. Several famous players may come together and add one or two songs each to create a theme driven CD. "Ukulele Beatles", "Ukulele Elvis", and "Ukulele Ghibli" are some examples in which Iwao has appeared. "Ukulele Force-Star Wars Best Covers" are another example, but as far as I can make out, Iwao didn't have anything to do with that one.

Iwao is probably known both for his playing and the learning material he puts out. He has a couple of DVDs out on how to play. Translations of a couple titles would probably be "If you are a little serious about the ukulele" and "If you are really serious about the ukulele". The first includes hints on how to play different styles. "Kona Sunset" (which is also on the CD coming out in July), "12th Street Rag", "Zinga" (which is included in "Natureza"), and Ka'au Crater Boys' "Tropical Hawaiian Day". The second DVD includes "Some day my prince will come" and "Silent Lagoon", but there is a heavy emphasis on Hawaiian vamps of various styles and in various keys. He also has a DVD out on how to play the baritone ukulele.

He also offers classes in Tokyo. A year or so ago he began offering baritone classes that filled up more than he imagined according to an interview with him I read.