Music around the world
A friend once told me she learns a new instrument every year. That stuck with me. Not long after, I went to stay with another friend in Denver, and she had a ukulele lying around the house. I started toying with it. A couple days in, I loved it. I asked Santa for one that Christmas, and I’ve been messing around with it ever since.
On the road
The uke never goes in the overhead bin. It stays with me at my seat, and the case carries everything I need for the flight. My foot sling, neck pillow, and an extra sweater. A pen, a USB charging cable, my AirPods, and a headband. Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes to wipe down my seat. The eye mask that attaches to the seat, so I can sleep sitting straight up. Plus small souvenirs and stuffed animals.
I’ve fallen in love with playing it by the ocean. I get it, Hawaii. I really do.
Carrying it around has also led to so many conversations, and to meeting other musicians. In La Fortuna, Costa Rica, we were out trying to capture one of my one-minute videos of Arenal Volcano at sunset. That’s where we met the head chef of a restaurant, and he played us Vance Joy’s “Riptide.” I pulled out his phone and filmed him jamming through a gorgeous sunset, with Arenal in the background. I’d share the recording, but it’s on his phone, not mine. He was so thankful that he bought us dinner that night, and sent out a set of desserts with it.
These are from Natadola, Fiji. The staff loved the uke and invited me to perform with them. You know I loved that. Swipe across, tap for sound, or go full screen.
Anything goes
Hip-hop, pop, and the occasional slow jam. Even this old Boyz II Men song, “End of the Road.” Tap for sound.
Dressed up
When a friend got married, the uke came along so I could play a couple songs. A lot easier to carry than a guitar.
Where it started
This is at my friend’s place in Denver, on the uke that started it all. I’d been messing around with it for a couple days, and I was already working out “Letters to You” by Finch.