Rhan Wilson || Ukelist.com

There's a new site for the Santa Cruz ukulele community. It is cared for by Rhan Wilson. He's my personal friend and teacher. I know he puts his ART and HEART into everything that he does. If you're a member of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz you must follow it or if you want to know what's happening then check out, http://www.ukelist.com/

Lest You Wonder How the Humble got into Humble Uker

I must first acknowledge Pete the percussionist whom I forgot on the YouTube comments when downloading this video.

This is a good time to explain why Humble Uker Ramblings was started. I had my father's 1950-ish Harmony ukulele in my hands about 5 years ago. It had sat in the kid's toy box for about 20 years. Kids are moving on and I started to doodle with the uke. My neighbor tells me about the Northern California Ukulele Festival which happens each year in the adjacent city of Hayward and is less than 5 miles from my home.

Going to that ukulele festival coincided with the end of years of watching and coaching 4 kids through baseball, softball, track and soccer. There was suddenly time for my own hobby. As you can tell by my performance above I am a humble musician but I have an extraordinary amount of fun and comraderie due to this little four-stringer. My voice is best suited for solos in the shower but I keep trying.

This blog is my "notebook", a history of learning and adventures, it tries to be open to a variety of genres, and it is not completely ukulele related. I have researched other instruments, tried a balalaika, a dulcimer, a recorder, and built a diddley bow. I have also been enamored with the baritone ukulele and have created a brother blog called Humble Baritonics.

The band above was started in Rhan Wilson's UkeU Class in Santa Cruz. We went by the name the Uklectics and got a chance to learn from Rhan, to learn from each other, and to get a bit of the garage band experience. At times we sounded really good but I think there's too much emphasis on performing by many people. There is so much gained by getting together with friends, proposing songs, singing loudly and moving past inhibitions. We were so lucky to have Jay Holiday (guitar), Judy Plicka (Bass & Uke), and Pete (Percussion) because they had many years of band experience and expanded us beyond just a group of unison strummers. The ukers were: Robbie Barbour, Sheila, Chuck, Bob, and myself (El Jeffe').

There is a website called The Top 50 Ukulele Sites. It has over 150 sites on it and I have been pleased that Humble Uker has been in the top 30 for several months now. It sits one place behind Ukulele Porn and two places behind Mike DaSilva's Ukemaker site. My Humble Baritonics blog has really surprised me and is just outside the real top 50 at 52.

Another fun thing about doing a blog is getting to know a little bit about people from around the world. If you read this I hope you can stop for a moment and leave a hello from wherever you are.

Thanks, HU / Jeff / or El Jeffe'

(Oh yeah, that's me on the left missing my cue -- but we practiced working thru mistakes!)

Rhan Wilson || All In Good Time (Video)

IMPROVIZING with the C-Scale

Here's Rhan Wilson, my good buddy, teacher and lifelong musician. He has a blog about musicality and it is exemplified by using the ukulele even though Rhan is a multi-instrumentalist. The blog is called ALL IN GOOD TIME, and here's a direct link. The video below is from his 1-14-2011 post and it is about the C-scale and playing notes in the scales over the chords. I know many people that are looking to step up their ability to solo. Here's a great stepping stone.

Rhan Wilson || Altared Music with Friends

This is a photo of my buddy Rhan Wilson with his Baritone Ukulele. People that have followed my postings on Humble Uker know that Rhan (pronounced: Ron), was the music guru whom created Ukulele University (or UkeU) which was a group class with ukulele players who wanted to improve their abilities over a 10 week course meeting once a week.

This experience was the best musical experience of my short musical life. The group included two people with 30 years of playing experience: Jay Holiday (guitar) and Judy Plicka (uke & bass) and Rhan's lifelong creative musical experience. We also had Pete the percussionist. The rest of us were ukulele players: Robbie, Sheila, Chuck, Bob, and myself. Each of us worked on a song or two for our personal performances in the band. We had so much fun that we morphed into a garage band for about 18 weeks and culminated in a on stage performance that was near the Elkhorn Slough close to Monterey.

Enough about that, Rhan is the story here. He and I converse regularly even though I live up in the east San Francisco Bay Area and he's in Tropical Santa Cruz, California. He is the creator of An Altared Christmas show which performs a Christmas show with all of the songs altered into minor keys. Rhan is multi-instrumentalist and performs regularly in a variety of ensembles, but his main band has been ROMP, link.

Here's another one of Rhan's videos that looks like it includes Olaf S. on drums and the lovable lady Patti Maxine on the lapsteel, and Matt Bohn on Bass. Take a look at some of the special guests on the performer's list below.

Rhan Wilson presents this "altared" version of the song, "Truckin'" at the "Have You Ever Been Altared" show, April 20th (420), 2010 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA.
Performing:
Rhan Wilson - Guitar, Vocals
Matt Bohn, Bass
Olaf Schiappacasse - Drums
Patti Maxine - Lap Steel
Dale Ockerman - Keyboards (Doobie Brothers)
Rick Zeek - Vocals
Jerry Martini - Sax (Sly and the Family Stone)
Ernie Rideout - Trombone
Modesto - Trumpet
Videotaped by Ron Hollman

For information about the other Altared shows, go to: www.altared.com

Rhan has also taken on the duties of the Santa Cruz and surrounding area music news. If you're local and would like to receive then please contact Rhan: rhanw@altared.com. You may have also noted that Rhan is the man behind one of my 3 blog-links, called: "All in Good Time" which is a place for many us to get some musical inspiration. And a good place to ask musical questions.

Rhan Wilson || Altared Christmas || What if all Christmas Songs were played in Minor Keys?

Rhan is my friend and music teacher. He started UkeU and I was in the first graduating class with a group of fantastic folks from Santa Cruz. Rhan has an amazing annual Christmas show at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz. It is a fresh and darker take on Christmas and Santi Claus. All is done in good fun in the spirit of Minor Keys. There are ukes in the production but not in this specific song. This is a fresh cut from the 2010 show.

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.

New pick-up lines from Rhan's blog (Good Stuff!)

Good Times from Uke U

Sheila, Robbie & Jay

http://allingoodtimemusic.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/does-your-song-have-a-pickup/

Rhan Wilson is Kicking Off a New Blog

Rhan Wilson is a friend and musical mentor. He is too humble to say it, so I am going to tell you about him...

He is a creative working musician, artist, creator of grand productions, landscaper and carpenter living in Santa Cruz, CA. He is also an insightful music teacher that has a broad background of experience in violin, piano, guitar, electric guitar, bass, ukulele, baritone ukulele, and all forms of percussion. He is currently performing with an eclectic band called ROMP and has created, managed, and directed the ever popular Annual Christmas extravaganza called "An Altared Christmas" which has been at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz. His newest creation is musical Valentine's celebration expected to be another holiday splash!

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Rhan also lead the Gospel Sunday Morning portion of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz's Burning Uke VII I have put a link to his blog, ALL IN GOOD TIME in the blog list. Take a look from time to time.

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RHAN'S MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

http://www.rhanwilson.com/musical_experiences.html

SANTA CRUZ & LOCAL UKERS ACT FAST

I took this class from Rhan last year and it was the biggest leap in my playing, singing, and playing along with other instruments of my 5 year uking time. We even performed as a band, the Uklectics. Rhan inspires creativity, playfulness, and musical integrity. I highly recommend participating in ANY thing that shares Rhan's inspiration.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR

UKULELE WORKSHOP with RHAN WILSON

UKE U

There are still just a couple of openings for this 6-week workshop which will focus on leading, following, arranging, and playing songs from the songbooks and elsewhere.

This is a good class for those who are considering starting sing-alongs, bands, those who are already in a group, or those who wish to better understand the group dynamic.

Cost is $150 for the six-week series and is open to any instrumentation. It starts this Wednesday, January 6th, 2010. Class is limited to just a few students.

For more information, please email Rhan Wilson - rhanw@rhanwilson.com

Rhan Wilson http://www.rhanwilson.com/

RHAN WILSON presents AN ALTARED CHRISTMAS

Rhan Wilson has posted a clip from last year's An Altared Christmas Show. Christmas songs in minor keys. I went for the first time last year and Wendy and I are going again this year. This clip features one of Santa Cruz's great wonders -- Patti Maxine -- singing, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

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Rhan has his genius, his way of bending things to make for unexpected treats. He also has compiled a cast of truely wonderful entertainers. It is THE EVENT and most of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz attends with hundreds of others inspired to Rhan's madness like a moth to a flame.

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December 12, 2009

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Rio Theater, Soquel Ave., Santa Cluz

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http://www.altared.com/

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No ukes in this video. But ukes are in the show.

Patti Maxine is well know for her lap steel playing.

It such a treat to hear her sing too.

Rhan Wilson's Altared Christmas Show 2009

If you've been following this blog over the last year you'll know a bit about my friend and musical -yoda, Rhan Wilson. This Altared Christmas production is quite a festive event. Christmas songs in minor keys, brilliant musicians, excitement, creativity, festivity...
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Don't miss it.

For more stupendous info...

http://www.altared.com/

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FINGER TEASER || RHAN WILSON = YODA

Always two there are, no more, no less: a master and an apprentice.- Yoda

Help you I can, yes.- Yoda

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Unfortunately, I've missed a few Tuesday night Uklectics garage jams recently. My work schedule has been quite harried and Wendy has had booths at the Fog Fest in Pacifica last weekend and this Sunday in Lodi, CA. I finally got a chance to see my Yoda-music-guru Rhan Wilson famous for his Altared Christmas Show and his Uke U training.

We talked about several things and I wanted to record one exercise he showed me for future reference. Right now it is just a finger exercise. I created a diagram on my AutoCAD which is easier to read if you click to enlarge the jpg. This is a closed pattern that can be moved up and down the fretboard.

There are 8 notes. The idea is to play then in groups of 4 and to move up one step and play 4 more, etc. After that reverse it.

1--2--3--4--5--6--7--8 ___ 8--7--6--5--4--3--2--1

D--C--A--G--E--D--C--A ___ A--C--D--E--G--A--C--D

Try fingering... 1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, 3-4-5-6, 4-5-6-7, 5-6-7-8

And then... 8-7-6-5, 7-6-5-4, 6-5-4-3, 5-4-3-2, 4-3-2-1

PATTI MAXINE, CELINA G., FEARLESS RHAN WILSON

Patti Maxine - An ace of grace in any place

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My good buddy Rhan Wilson keeps me informed about his live performances on KPIG radio. You can pick up streaming audio. Wendy and I were up early for a trip to Lowe's hardware store. Then we came home and fixed a broken sprinkler in the front yard, went upstairs near my work office and installed a nice sunshade. I stalled Wendy long enough so that at about 11:25 I turned on KPIG, http://www.kpig.com/, and listened to Patti Maxine's group with UCSC friends Celina "Sexy Feet" Gutierrez and mon ami, the Chancelour Rhan Wilson. Home repairs are much more fun when you have your friends playing live music for you on the Radio.

Hey Rhan was that you on the ukulele? Did Celina's shoes fall off again? Whenever I hear her sing that "Lovely Lanikai" song it reminde me of Helina's "Is Little Rhani High" with Jayme Kelly "Mona Lotts" Curtis dancing the Bong-Hit-Hula!

Patti Maxine's group with 1/2 of Santa Cruz County will be at Don Quixote's, 7pm, Felton, http://www.pattimaxine.com/






Patrick Landeza Landeza, Patti Maxine, Rhan Wilson

U - K - L - E - C - T - I - C - S UPDATE

Hey Uklectics - we need a band photo!

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The Uklectics are going to be performing in an informal setting at a Garden Party. This performance is like a midterm, in that we are being tested on what Rhan taught us, the skills we have developed individually and putting it all together. A band is a tricky thing to maintain, we have all become good friends, and we are all people with different personalities, skill sets, and levels of desire for perfection. Two of our members have been playing over thirty years. They are the backbone, the strength, the wisdom. Jay H. strives for perfection in guitar and voice. I always tease him that he’s gonna get the panties thrown his way as he croons his Elvis melody. Judy P. strives for the spaces in between to turn a tune into a real song. Judy also blesses us with her glorious instrumentals.

The rest of us are relative newbies. Although, Robbie B., has a sweet and bluesy voice, that is powerful and full of the country sound of an Iowan born woman. Robbie’s voice is a stable anchor for the band. (Iowan born like Greg Brown and Iris DeMent.) Sheila, has been enjoying taking the lead and singing a Johnny Cash tune and joyfully play the guiro and getting us in the mood for our Brazilian bassa. Then we have Buster Bob, who has missed several of the classes, but keeps going strong with his background with the Sons of the Beach ukulele gatherings. He sings strongly in our Hawaiian tune along with Chuckie B. C.B. it our storyteller and communicates a tale his Uklectic outings and has plans for logos and signs, and future stardom.

Then we have our percussionist, Pete. He’s got the duel blessing/challenge of having two war tested drummers, Rhan and Jay H. listening to his every tap, bump and bang. I think in many ways his drumming is the glue that keeps us all together. Pete, was a ukulele player and has moved over to the drums and plays at many uke gatherings and just pleasantly adds to the fullness of the ukulele group.

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Me, JW, the humble uker, the one that lives inside this head, and writes this gibberish, I went to Rhan’s Ukulele University (Rhanbo sez, UKE U) class 65 miles away from my home, because I wanted to become a better player AND singer. The Uklectics have a momentum based on Rhan's tutilege. I have a Rockabilly song and a very challenging song in another language. I have gone from singing shyly in a large group to lead singing on 2 songs behind a microphone. Wherever my voice rates on a scale of 1 to 10 I don’t mind. Perhaps, I only went from a 1 to a 2, but the 2 is a whole lot more fun than a 1 and I feel a 3 is coming up on the horizon.

I thank Rhan and the members of the band for enduring me for 16 weeks, that’s: Chuckie B, Pete, Bob, Jay, Judy, Robbie and Sheila.

R -- O -- M -- P Music

The Tuesday Night Band has become the Uklectics. It is a name that I like and it does well with our group and song selection. Rhan Wilson, was the mastermind for the Ukulele University, which brought us all together. Rhan (pronounced very much like R-O-N) is sharing his creative energies with another group, called ROMP, which is an acronym for the first letters of their first names. I personally only know Rhan and Patti from their allegiance to the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz.

The Romp band site: www.rompband.com

Or, you can go directly to their inspirational versions where Patti-Maxine sings Jamabalaya and These Boots and Rhan, The (Uklectic) Chancelour, sings Private Life. I think that these songs are fantastic and would like to know if I’m just a crazy groupie or if you agree with me.

Jambalaya -- http://www.rompband.com/02%20Track%2002.mp3

Private Life -- http://www.rompband.com/04%20Track%2004.mp3

These Boots -- http://www.rompband.com/06Track06.mp3

RHAN WILSON: UKULELE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR & HEAD HONCHO

__v___ ROMP: The Evolution of Man Photo ___V__

Rhan, is a creator, a compassionate person, and a lover of making music. I have had the opportunity to meet him and work under his tutilege as a student in his Ukulele University. I should say that UU is not just for ukuleles. We had a drummer, guitarist, and bassist that made the experience similar to a garage band. The advantage we had though, was Rhan Wilson, the 8-eared-man, his sensibilities, and his creative weirdness. (It didn't hurt to have 2 students with over 30 years of playing experience: Judy P. on ukulele, resonator ukulele, and bass guitar AND Jay H. on Ukulele and Guitar.)

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Our gathering of eight quickly bonded and encouraged each other to perform better. Rhan, constantly sharing insights, directed us on how to signal and communicate to each other. He challenged us to sing out. He challenged us to play our ukulele parts in different ways (vary our strums) We completed the 10 week course and have added a five week session to come after Rhan's two-week haitus in Oregon. We've even had three Tuesday Night Band (garage) meetings on our own with songs ranging from Hanalei Moon to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird.

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The following is cut and pasted from the Santa Cruz Sentinel (W. Baine 7/9/2009)

Direct link here...

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_12791528

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Rhan Wilson does nothing ordinary. The creator of "An Altared Christmas," the live show and album that reframes common Christmas tunes in a minor key, has put together a new band, and there's nothing ho-hum about it.

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ROMP, which plays next Wednesday at the Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, is an anagram of the first names of the four members of the band "" Wilson, Olaf Schiappacasse, Matt Bohn and Patti Maxine. All in the new band have played in Wilson's "Christmas" extravaganza; three of the four ROM have been part of the house band at the "Planet Cruz Comedy Hour."

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The band is unusual not only for its instrumentation "" it will use everything from the baritone ukulele to the lap-steel guitar "" but for its off-beat treatment of beloved old songs. Chuck Berry's already bizarre "My Ding-a-Ling" performed in a minor key and sang in a Russian accent. The 1960s chestnut "Ode to Billie Joe," about the day "Billie Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge," is combined with the beat of the late Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" to create the "Ode to Billie Jean."
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"Proud Mary," "Harper Valley PTA," songs from Grace Jones and Gogol Bordello, all get thrown in the whirl and come out a bit different, said Wilson.
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"We're not trying to make every song we do be odd or weird," he said. "We're just looking to have fun. I've been in a lot of bands, and all I want now is to play music and have some fun."

Rhan Wilson Ukulele University

http:/fleamuseum.blogspot.com/

At a recent Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz meeting notices of a "Ukulele University" were placed on the tables. The UU creator was Rhan Wilson, also the creator/director of "An Altared Christmas", which is a seasonal hit production. It explores Christmas music using the ethereal minor keys. The production is outstanding. I have met Rhan at Bocci's several times and even attended one rhythm class with about 10 other students using African drums. Rhan has also performed at the club with several groups.

The basic concept is to get several people together and learn the basics of playing and performing music with others. Much of the class focuses on getting the "feel" of the music. So often in ukulele clubs we perform a strum that is devoid of the rhythm of the original composition. We also work on giving musical cues that help others know of changes as we move through the music. We have been working primarily with I-IV-V arrangements, adding some intros and fingerpicking some riffs.

Although it is called Ukulele University, we have a drummer, bass player, guitarist, and about 7 ukulele players. Rhan asks us all to try to create a bit of a different sound. Play chords up the neck and vary strums to give more depth to each song. There is also discussion on how to vary the musical dynamics to shift focus or to let the main performer to hold the center of attention.

The class is for 10 consecutive weeks. It takes me an hour each way but I would like to take my ukulele playing up a notch. Also, I enjoy playing my ukulele each day (since I work from home) but don't have much experience really playing with others beyond the normal club strum.

Most of my classmates, are from the UCSC and I have talked to or seen half of them at the club. The great thing about ukulele players and musicians in general is their fun-loving nature. Also, Santa Cruz and our leader Rhan have the weirdness factor that adds to the spice of life. There is a locally famous bumper sticker that reads, "Keep Santa Cruz Weird". I need more weird in my life there's just too much normal in the world. We all need some craziness, to break out from what we are used to doing.

Getting together, conversing, planning, singing is a great time for adults to experiment and have play-time. Besides some craziness we need some play time. I tend to be a bit of a workaholic. Playing with the uke gives me time to play and experiment.

Back to the UU topic... ...next posting.

Jake & Bonnie / Music, Art & Creativity

CREaTIViTY. Rhan Wilson told me that when he created his "Altared Christmas Show" that he intentionally under-rehearsed certain parts of the show. He just gave a guideline to certain participants and welcomed the unrehearsed moments as opportunities to be open and trust in the creativity of the art. He says in his Rhan's World blog that... "I wanted us all to rely on our professionalism and skill to be "in the moment" and to react accordingly. To make a few mistaken notes here and there was worth it to me to be able to create magic that no one could have predicted..."

I like to take the long way sometimes. To explore and to enjoy. This is an unusual post for me in that there are musical, artistic, nostalgic, aspects to this little journey. I'm not sure where I'm going but I continually find something new, and something old but new to me.

Those that have read chunks of my blog will know that Alistair Wood’s Ukulele Hunt site is a great inspiration to me. http://www.ukulelehunt.com/. Alistair makes great use of search tools to provide us readers with many avenues to search. Recently, he posted some favorite YouTube videos and I looked into a multi-instrumentalist and vintage instrument repairer named, Jake Wildwood and found out about a family living in Vermont

Jake's music and handiwork are very interesting to explore. His wife, Bonnie. also has a blog where she has some of her skilled craft work is displayed. If you have a nostalgia for handicrafts, old furniture, Hoosier cabinets, and vintage instruments then pull up a chair and sit a spell in beautiful Rochester, Vermont:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jakewildwood
http://www.jakewildwood.com/work.html
http://www.thewildwoodflower.blogspot.com/
http://littlewhitepaw.blogspot.com/

[Jake has many songs posted as mp3’s on his “music” section of this “work” page. ]


At the end of May 2008, my wife, Wendy, and I were in Ketchikan or Juneau, Alaska and we came across an unusual 2-story indoor shopping mall that had a music store in the very center. I think is was about 8 feet wide and 15 feet long. Full of different instruments, comfy chairs, and a welcoming vibration. I saw an inexpensive Gold Tone banjo there and thought that one day I want to try a banjo or a banjolele. I’m going to keep an eye on Jake Wildwood’s work in the future. I'm also curious about those old pot bellied mandolins.

http://www.jakewildwood.com/instruments/uke_1920s_maybell_banjo.html

I was also intrigued with Bonnie’s work. I noticed some Scandinavian aspects to her craft work. For those that are interested in things rustic and handmade the Wildwood Country Store may be worth an e-visit or more.

RHAN WILSON / AN ALTARED CHRISTMAS

RHAN WILSON (pronounced 'rawn')

AN ALTARED CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 12, 2008, Rhan Wilson has put on his 4th annual “An Altared Christmas” Concert at the Rio Theater on Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. I have really just gotten to know Rhan over the last few months at the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz and at one of his rhythm classes with African Drums. He is one of the many talented musicians in the Santa Cruz community. But I think this Christmas show shows so much more of his overall talents as a creative artist.

I brought my wife, Wendy, son, Kyle and his girlfriend Caitlin (who is a UCSC banana slug freshman). The Rio is a very well kept old theater house on Soquel Ave. As we enter, there is a tall blue man dressed like a Venetian boat gondolier playing the accordion.

The Altared Christmas Show is compilation of so many treats that it’s impossible to describe in their fullness of color. Rhan is a master of the elements, combining street artist talents with extremely talented singers and musicians. Take a look at http://www.altared.com/live/

Of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz members I recognized, Rhan showed off his personal prowess on the ukulele, electric guitar, guitar and African drums. Patty Maxine was her usual best on the Lap Steel and lovely voice. Ukulele Dick performed with is usual flair on, well, the ukulele of course. Celina, in a rare performance with shoes on her feet, stomped, sang and performed various skit performances.

Perhaps my favorite song was Melee Kaliski Vodka which is a parody of the Hawaiian tune Mele Kalikimaka. My wife preferred the “Rudolph” parody base on The Police’s “Roxanne”. This show was more than just Christmas tunes and parodies though as there were some jazz selections that had impressive and Sax and Clarinet solos.

There’s so much more to tell about this show but I think I’ll just recommend going to the 5th annual show next year.

http://www.rhanwilson.com/