Jake Shimabukuro with his tiny Hawaiian ukulele plays Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

"If everyone played a ukulele the world would be a better place."

Jake Shimabukuro’s mother gave him his first ukulele lesson when he was 4. Ever since, he’s been experimenting with innovative techniques and sounds that cross-cut funk, jazz, rock, classical, even flamenco. Jake has recently been swept up onto the international stage performing with such notables as Yo-Yo Ma, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler and Jimmy Buffett.

Shimabukuro is a spokesman for Music Is Good Medicine, a community outreach program that promotes healthy living through music. He travels to schools throughout Hawaii, the mainland US and Japan to inspire kids to create music and experience its therapeutic benefits. www.jakeshimabukuro.com