Dan Zanes Doesn't Have A Monopoly on Ukeleles and Family Music
As some of you may remember, I am an owner of a ukelele, a Dan Zanes Flea, to be exact. A year and a half later, I am slightly more proficient, having hauled it out on occasiona for singalongs and hauled it out a lot to play along (and around) with the family.
I might be a lot more proficient if I dived into the large ukelele internet presence (for example, watch Marcy Marxer give a ukelele lesson here).
Anyway, I was glad to have the following Ukelele Evangelist interview with Jack Norton pointed out to me. Jack lived for a brief time in Arizona after moving here from Minnesota, but departed for Tennessee before I had a chance to meet or see him in person. He and his wife Kitty also have a very kids-focused group called the Zinghoppers. He's a busy guy, that Jack; I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to catch up.
Anyway, the article's a nice read, and the video below's his take (from 2005) on "Polly Wolly Doodle." It's less revved-up than Dan Zanes' version, and lacks Sheryl Crow, but I like it anyway.
Comments
Hey Stefan
Thanks for the posting. We'll have to have a ukulele hootenanny next time we're in Arizona!
Cheers,
Jack & Kitty
Posted by: Conductor Jack | August 11, 2008 10:33 PM
Stefan-Cathy & Marcy are long time uke players, collectors and fans. We love it when our long time musical passions catch on, due to the sun, moon & muses. In the 1980's, Homespun Tapes produced a 2 DVD set called "Ukulele for Kids". Marcy appears with a wacky puppet, Ginger the Dog, who helps her make it easy and fun for kids (along with parents, teachers) to learn the uke. Homespun is a wonderful company and has other lessons for kids (and monstrously good lessons for adults on everything). Check it out at www.homespuntapes.com
Thanks for the uke news-Cathy
Posted by: Cathy Fink | August 18, 2008 09:25 AM