TAP Program Notes 2002: Ukulele

THE UKULELE IN HAWAIIAN TRADITION
with Margo King Lenson

The ukulele is said to have been first brought to the Hawaiian islands in 1879 by a Portuguese immigrant (the instrument's Portuguese name is braguinha). Though there is little consensus about the derivation of the Hawaiian word (ukulele in Hawaiian means "jumping flea"), it is clear that this little four-stringed instrument has become central to musical tradition in Hawaii. Today, Margo King Lenson discusses the role of the ukulele in Hawaiian music. The program includes live ukulele music and hula dance, as well as video footage of master musician Bill Tapia playing the ukulele. This is a special program in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Program Date: April 18, 2002
Program Notes: Margo King Lenson
Photographs: Jennifer Michael

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Bibliography

Inventing Paradise: Hawaiian Image & Popular Culture (Fullerton Museum Center: Fullerton, 2001)**

The Ukulele: A Visual History by Jim Beloff (Miller Freeman Books: San Francisco, 1997).**

Hawaiian Music and Musicians: An Illustrated History, ed. George S. Kanahele (Univ. Hawaii Press, 1979).

Pacific Voices Talk Story: Conversations of American Experience, ed. Margo King Lenson (Tui Communications, 2001). Includes “talk story” interviews of mainland ukulele masters: “Uncle” Bill Tapia and Francisco “Pop” Tan with ‘ohana (family).**

** Available from Tui Communications

Francisco “Pop” Tan (leader) plays the 8-string baritone ukulele. Other musicians of "Hauole Kupuna of Vacaville" include Jackie Harris, Richard Oreta and Ernie Caravalho.