My Favorite Ukulele Books and CDs

I've been playing the ukulele since 1996 and have bought a lot of ukulele books in that time; how to play books, ukulele chord books, strumming methods, and so on. By clicking on the link below, you will see what I think are the best of the best, books that will help you improve your uke skills. Feel free to email me if there are any you think should be added to the list.

Brudda Bu's Favorite Ukulele Books

Music is such a personal thing. We all have different tastes, but this is my website, so I'm going to recommend my favorite ukulele CDs. Of course, the emphasis is on Hawaiian, because that is what I like the best. By clicking on the link below, you will see my favorite ukulele CDs. I'm sure there are a lot of others that I haven't heard, so if you have a recommendation, email me...

Brudda Bu's Favorite Ukulele CDs

And what is the ukulele without Hawaii? follow this link and you will see my favorite books on Hawaii and Hawaiian music...

Brudda Bu's Books About Hawaii

Click the following link to see my favorite books on Hawaiian art and culture...

Brudda Bu's Favorite Hawaiian Art and Culture Books

There are a lot of great beginner's ukuleles out there. I've listed a few...

Brudda Bu's Favorite Beginner Ukuleles


These are some of my favorite ukulele CDs. Please email me and tell me yours and I will try to include them on this site.

Bradda Israel Kamakawiwo'ole played some of the most beautiful ukulele music anywhere. Bradda had the voice of an angel and played ukulele in the old "nahenahe" style...

For more on Israel's life and times go here.

"Legends of Ukulele" is a brand new CD, compiled by Jim Beloff, featuring many of history's great uke players; Roy Smeck, Ukulele Ike, Johnny Marvin, Nelson Waikiki, Arthur Godfrey, Eddie Bush, Jesse Kalima, Tiny Tim, and many more. This is a wonderful CD and a MUST for any ukulele fan!

One of my favorite Hawaiian CDs is "A Beachboy Party", recorded live in the early 60s on the Beach at Waikiki. Heard are the famous Waikiki Beachboys, some of whom were great musicians. Especially good is the uke playing of Squeeze Kamana, Fat Kala and Panama Dave.

One of the classiest ukulele players around...Herb Ohta, better known as Ohta-San. This is one of his most beautiful CDs, "Ka Mea Ho'okani 'Ukulele". And recently Ohta-San's son, Herb Ohta, Jr., released his first CD, "Ka Haunana Hou". A MUCH differnt style then his famous dad, Herb, Jr. really jams on his Sonny D ukulele...

Uncle Moe Keale has two CDs, "Aloha is a Part of Me a Part of You" and "Imagine". Uncle Moe also played with The Sons of Hawaii and can be heard on their earlier recordings.

Want to hear some really classic Hawaiian music on the ukulele? Try anything by The Sons of Hawaii (Eddie Kamae's group that he started in the early 60s) or Auntie Genoa Keawe, who is another "Living Legend" in Hawaiian music and has been performing since before World War II...

The Kalima Brothers and the Richard Kauhi Quartet were two groups that were very popular in the 40s and 50s. Some great ukulele playing here, especially by Jesse Kalima.

Here are two modern Hawaiian ukulele players that are very popular in Hawaii; Dennis Pavao, who is known more as a singer/guitarist, and Troy Fernandez of the Ka'au Crater Boys, who is one of the fastest ukulele pickers you'll ever hear!

Jake Shimabukuro has becoming one of the world's best ukulele players, at the ripe old age of 24. His fast strumming and picking style have to be heard to be believed.

For some great instrumental ukulele music, try these three CDs; "Eddie Bush, A Man and his Ukulele", "Ukulele Stylings" and "Ukulele Magic"...

Lyle Ritz is better known in music circles as a much sought after studio string bass player. However, his ukulele stylings are some of the most beautiful, as evidenced by his 1995 recording, "Ukulele Jazz".

For ukulele music with a different twist, try either Cliff Edwards, aka "Ukulele Ike", or Roy Smeck, "The Wizard of the Strings"...

You say you don't play ukulele but want to learn? The best way (without a live ukulele teacher) is through Teresa Bright's new video, "Learn to Play Beginning Ukulele". Teresa is a Hawaiian singer/ukulele player and this is a GREAT video!

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page