S4E14 - Meredith Harper
Ukulele Is The New Black
I promised you a special guest for the last episode – surprise, it’s me!! I figured my story was long overdue so I asked my friend and fellow ukulele podcaster Cameron Murray to interview me. It was a bit weird to be on the other side of the microphone but I really enjoyed it. I play a couple of songs, including a new original. I wasn’t entirely happy with either performance and I could have re-recorded them, but that felt like cheating so you’re stuck with what I played on the day, warts and all
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S4E13 - Jasmine Fellows
Ukulele Is The New Black
It’s taken me four years to get her on the show but I finally did it! Today I chat to my great friend and musical collaborator Jasmine Fellows. Jas is a multi-instrumentalist who I originally met through Canberra ukulele groups, but who has now become an irreplaceable member of house band The New Black, and our ukulele and cello duo Four Strings Two. We had a great time recording this - I think I cut out at least ten minutes of giggling in the edit! Please enjoy.
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S4E12 - Jim Croft
Ukulele Is The New Black
Today’s guest is one of the members of the Ukulele is the New Black house band – Jim Croft. I’ve been wanting to get him on the show for some time, but because I know he’s not really a fan of the limelight I didn’t approach him – until now! Fortunately he said yes, and we had a great chat about experimenting with different tunings, the importance of music theory, and his extensive ukulele collection. Please enjoy!
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S4E11 - Nicole and Aaron Keim
Ukulele Is The New Black
Today’s guests were suggested by one of my patrons, Maja Zweck. Nicole and Aaron Keim are trained musicians who play ukulele as the duo “The Quiet American”, and luthier Aaron also makes beautiful handcrafted ukuleles at Beansprout Musical Instruments, at their home in Hood River, Oregon.
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S4E10 - Kim Yang
Ukulele Is The New Black
Originally from Taiwan, Kim Yang moved to Canberra around 10 years ago where she discovered the joy of music and, of course, ukulele. Kim is now a full-time musician and songwriter who is about to release her new EP, Brave.
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S4E09 - Dani Joy and Perry Stauffer
Ukulele Is The New Black
In today’s episode I talk to Dani Joy and her partner in life and music, Perry Stauffer. Dani and Perry live in Portland, Oregon where they run an online music academy, create wonderful music as a duo and with others, and have a wall full of ukuleles which they sell from their living room.
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S4E08 - Aldrine Guerrero
Ukulele Is The New Black
Today I talk to Aldrine Guerrero of , a passionate ukulele player and teacher based in Kaua’i in Hawai’i. We chat about the creation of the Ukulele Underground forums, his love of teaching and performing, and he plays a couple of incredible songs. Towards the end you may hear some roosters in the background – for me that is the sound of Kau’ai, a place I really hope I can visit again some day. Please enjoy! Some show-related links below: s Songs played on the show: Dance with a Bandit (Aldrine Guerrero) Senor Viktor (Aldrine Guerrero) Go to the for a playlist...
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S4E07 - Barbara Taylor
Ukulele Is The New Black
In this episode I talk to Barbara Taylor, a dynamic ukulele player and organiser from Busselton in Western Australia. Barbara has been on my list since previous guest Kevin Chennell mentioned her, and I’m so glad I finally caught up with her, because she is a delight.
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BONUS - Life is a Musical
Ukulele Is The New Black
If you’ve been listening to my recent episodes you will know that I have been going through a long and painful process of moving house, and as a result I haven’t been able to find the time to make new episodes. Today I bring you something which is new, but a little different. I’m going to tell you about some of the challenges I’ve been facing, and how music – or specifically, musicians – brought me an incredible moment of light and joy.
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CLASSIC EPISODE - Mal Webb
Ukulele Is The New Black
Sorry listeners - I am still in the fun process of moving house, and when this comes out the removalist will be arriving to take all my possessions from my current home.
info_outlineSamantha Muir is a classically trained musician who had a passion for guitar from an early age. In 2012 she discovered the ukulele and fell in love with it. Since then she has arranged and composed a huge body of instrumental pieces for ukulele, with a focus on classical and folk music. She talks to me in today’s episode about her musical journey which also includes teaching music, publishing books and CDs, and playing the machete.
For more information about Sam, or to buy her books and CDs (hurry now to get them in time for Christmas!) go to samanthamuir.com, and also don’t forget to look up her YouTube channel, SamMuir Ukulele.
Some show-related links below:
- Kevin Chennell
- Royal College of Music
- The Ukulele, A History (John King & Jim Tranquada)
- Rob McKillop & the machete
- The Rajão
- Reentrant tuning
- Collection of pieces for machete (Cândido Drumond de Vasconcelos / Manuel Morais)
- The Baroque Ukulele (Tony Mizen)
- The Classical Ukulele (John King)
- John King
- Ferdinando Carulli
- Matteo Carcassi
- Fernando Sor
- University of Surrey
- Les Productions d’Oz
- Stephen Goss
- Sherborne School
- Jennie Durkee
- Milton Mermikides
- Tom Armstrong
- Grand Northern Ukulele Festival
Songs played on the show:
- Leaving on a Jet Plane (John Denver)
- Danse Paysanne (Ferdinando Carulli)
Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode
Ukulele is the New Black is produced by Meredith Harper, who also wrote the theme tune. The theme tune was performed by Meredith Harper, Jasmine Fellows, Geoff Skellams, Jim Croft, Chris Williams, Paul Marsh and Sandra Shaw. Seb Carraro does the graphic design.
If you enjoy this podcast please give it a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser or wherever you listen to your podcasts - and tell your friends!
Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:
- Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
- Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright
The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.