Jayme Kelly Curtis || Cocktail Hour (with Ud & Matt)

I haven't had a chance to watch the whole show yet... but looks like its quite a production. Jayme is singing away and Ukulele Dick is an amazingly talented vaudeville-style ukulele player. Matt Bohm is playing upright bass. Check out the show in vintage black & white...

http://sandraleighpresents.com/index.php?page=jayme-kelly-curtis-cocktail-hour

Castro Theater, San Francisco || Ukulele Fun Time

Here's Eileen S's video of the World Record attempt for the largest ukulele gathering. It starts off with a portion of the Santa Cruz contingent loading up on the bus. Andy Andrews leads the show. While Ukulele Dick and Jayme Kelly Curtis get some great footage. We also get to Uni and her Ukulele. Perhaps you're in the footage too -- who knows? Eileen is a percussionist with the Son's of the Beach in Santa Cruz. The Mighty Uke film was also shown and you hear Andy call it the greatest ukulele film ever.

VIEWER ALERT! This was shot in the Castro District of S.F. and you never know what may happen on the streets of San Francisco and it does! So if some nudity bothers you then stop the video at precisely 12:00 minutes! VIEWER ALERT!

The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz...

Anyone that knows me very well knows that I try to get to Santa Cruz every month for the gathering at Bocchi's Cellar. The meeting is usually the 3rd Thursday of every month but it is wise to get on their mailing list because it is Santa Cruz and we want to keep Santa Cruz weird and not to predictable. This club is full of love, mostly love. May sound a bit silly to some but I have been travelling down to the "Love Shack" that is known as the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz because of the people.

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This club has just gone through a change, Peter and Donna, "The President and the First Lady," are gone on their book binding caravan travels for 6 months. Andy and Pam Andrews have now made their journey over to their new house in Hawaii. Wild and crazy were their ways. Peter also played the harmonica and Andy wailed on his saxophone. Andy and Pam danced in the heaven of each other's arms. Donna almost always knitted, but occassionally pulled out the recorder or sang. I will never forget Andy's generous spirit, "Spread the love" seemed to be his motto.

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So, Thursday April 15, 2010 was the first meeting of a new era. Sandor, Rhan & Marty are now leading the masses. And what a spectacular beginning. The dining time house band was lead by Rhan Wilson and great as usual. The house was packed full and more people were trying to find seating as the evening moved on.

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The song selection had a Blue theme: Blue Moon, My Blue Heaven, Blue Hawaii, Lovesick Blues, Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain, and Blue Moon of Kentucky. But the energy was cheerful and festive. We continue to socialize, celebrate and SHOW OUR UKES. Sandor, Marty, Rhan and Vince "S.C." Tuzzi led us in the play alongs.

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Last night, I sat at the table in the corner by the bar with Bob "Duh Dog" Rainey, Tomi, and Dr. John B. John leads a ukulele group in Lancaster which in southern California and drives 5 hours one-way almost every month. We had two lady newbies, Diane and Susan that came ukeless but we gave them our ukes and surely overloaded them with information.

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I brought my Balalaika that I restrung with Worth medium brown strings and tuned C-E-A. Bob Rainey who always likes something new - played a few Blue songs worth on it. I call it a Bala-uke-a. The uke club is a also a place for the great kindergarten tradition of Show-n-Tell. The newest ukes are always fun to check out.

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The FANTASTIC evening show was headlined by our very own amazing Ukulele Dick and supported by the lovely Jayme Kelly Curtis and ROMP. Romp is comprised of Rhan, Olaf, Matt and the ever popular P-P-P-Patty M-M-Maxine. Sandor (shawn-door) also joined in to play some of the UkeAholics Beatles and Elvis tunes! I think Jan even got in there for some harmonica melodies.

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Back to the love. Next month, May 2010, will be another Open Mic Night. If you have ever considered doing an open mic night, then this is the safest and most supportive club in the world, every skill level is encouraged, supported and applauded. Share the love, feel the love, come and play.

Jayme Kelly Curtis / Musician / Santa Cruz

I like to add photos to my posts and the ukulele community is still small enough that I frequently find images of people that I've met at ukulele clubs, classes, or concerts. While I was googling for a photo of Jim Beloff I came across the talented Jayme Kelly Curtis' photo and found her site which tells about her varied musical talents.

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My most vivid image of Jayme is her Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz incredible pseudo-hula to Rhan Wilson's song, Is Little Rhani (pronounced RON-NIE) High? Imagine a stoned blonde hula dancer. What a performer! Perhaps, Jayme wouldn't be too fond of this, but alas, it is a YouTube world.

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I have the desire to write songs. I find players like Ukulele Dick, Ukisociety, Owlphanumeric, Ukulelezo, and others are so much fun to listen to because of their thoughtful songs. These are the treasures found in the plethura of ordinary YT videos. Jayme includes some song writing ideas about painting the picture in words...

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http://www.purrgirl.com/Tutorial.html

I have also had a distant fascination for the dulcimer and enjoyed seeing her link and video...