February 6, 2009
Honoka`a School - Big Island, Hawaii
On Big Island’s northern Hamakua Coast, Jake visited Honoka`a school, home of the Dragons. A big thank you to Janet Coburn from the Kahilu Theatre who organized this visit as well as the Konawaena visit. The students were notably excited and waited in anticipation for Jake to play.
Jake first gave a brief background of his music career and reminded the students that ukulele and music has always been his passion. He then encouraged them to follow their passions and they will always be successful. He opened with “Let’s Dance” where the students cheered throughout the whole song. In fact, every song Jake began to play the students would cheer; even his mellow “Piano-Forte. Jake explained how he wrote that song and the differences of piano and ukulele chord voicings. Jake had a special request to play everyone’s favorite “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
Jake then took questions, which ranged from if his fingers hurt when he plays to how old he is. Jake spoke about how he would listen to various genres of music and translated it to the ukulele because it is surprisingly capable of so much. Jake invited any student who wanted to go up to play and had a couple of volunteers. A student came up and played and sang, “Play my Music” by the Jonas Brothers and another student performed “Falling“ by Iration. Jake stressed that music truly is good medicine and applauded those who came up to share their musical gift because it was genuinely encouraging and inspiring. Jake finished with “Orange World” and the students went crazy when he was finished. Thank you again to Janet for setting up this visit!
Please check out the video summary of this event.
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