The 2012 festival will feature international and national artists, covering a range of styles, from reggae to blues to jazz to folk. Below bios and videos of the international performers. For the Australian performers please follow this link.

Herb Ohta Jr. (Hawaii)

International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific `ukulele masters. Influenced by Jazz, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music, he puts his stamp on Hawaiian music by pushing the limits of tone and technique on this beautiful instrument. The son of `ukulele legend “Ohta-san,” he started playing at the age of three, and teaching at the age of 9. He now shares the music of Hawai‘i, and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops. This Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner (Hawaiian equivalent to the Grammy) and four-time Hawai‘i Music Award winner effortlessly translates the beauty and culture of Hawai‘i through his creative expression of music. With nine solo albums, eight duet albums in circulation, and contributions on more than 40 recordings, he is well on his way to matching his father’s legacy. In 2010 Herb celebrated his 20th Anniversary in the music industry releasing two new recordings, “‘Ukulele Nahenahe” & “Take 1”. In 2011, “‘Ukulele Nahenahe” won the Hawai‘i Music Award for Best ‘Ukulele Recording and also won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Best Instrumental.

The Quiet American – Aaron Keim (USA)

After falling in love with music in the school band and choir, Aaron studied music education and french horn in college. He stumbled upon an old time hootenany outside of Cimmaron, NM in 1999, which inspired him to learn the upright bass and start The Paradise String Band. While teaching orchestra in the public schools, Aaron began his career building and restoring string instruments. In 2003, Aaron moved to Colorado and earned a master’s degree in music history from University of Colorado. In 2004, Aaron founded Boulder Acoustic Society, which has played over 1,000 shows all over the US, focusing on a genre bending mix of folk, rock, jazz and classical. While traveling with BAS, Aaron taught workshops and master classes on roots music, studied banjo, ukulele and guitar with the masters, performed for huge festival crowds and embedded himself in the modern folk scene. In 2009, The Quiet American recorded his first solo record, on an 1890’s wax cylinder machine! Like a voice from the past that seems to know the future, this self titled release is a favourite of old time music and audiophiles alike. His newest CD, “The Quiet American Vol. II,” is a showcase of Aaron as a solo act. The original songs sound like classics and the traditionals sound fresh and new. During the last few years, Aaron has become a firm favourite on the US ukulele festival circuit, and is considered one of the best ukulele instructors around.

Manitoba Hal (Canada)

Manitoba Hal is a consummate blues man, having toured Canada and America extensively – in earlier days with guitar, but since 2008 with ukulele. When picturing him in his 100 year old cottage in frosty Nova Scotia, one can’t help but wonder how come someone can sound like he grew up in the Deep South of the States and play this raw, swamp, delta, Cajun and zydeco style blues. Hal developed the blues sound when he lived in Winnipeg Manitoba (where he also got his name). “Winnipeg is situated in a delta between the Red and Assiniboine rivers. There is a lot of blues in Winnipeg and it is often referred to as the Chicago of the north. I believe that music flows through life like a river and we are all born at different places. Some are born at a classical place, some at jazz, and others at country. I was born at the blues and when I found that music inside me, the ukulele came alive and my soul started expressing itself in songs that flowed with that music. The blues is where my soul came into this world. Where it will end up I don’t know but I’m ready for the journey”. About why he made the switch from guitar to the ukulele, Hal replies, “I noticed that sonically it occupied this space that was in pitch above my voice. This gave my vocals a lot more room in the song without colliding with the notes of the accompaniment as they did when I played guitar also I noticed that people seemed amazed at the sounds I was producing with the ukulele. The last thing that clinched my decision to switch to uke full time was that for all the years and concerts I’ve given as a guitarist, people usually didn’t tell me stories of their life when I play guitar. [However], people seemed compelled to communicate about their life when the uke is played. I like that.”

Paul Hemmings (USA) & the Uketet

The humble ukulele has sat on the back burner throughout most of Jazz music’s rich history. Paul Hemmings is determined to change that. With The Paul Hemmings Uketet, the unassuming four-stringed Hawaiian instrument takes its place front and center, alongside bass and drums, in a well-seasoned jazz combo that pushes the boundaries of what has often been considered a mere novelty instrument. Based in New York City, Paul Hemmings serves up a savory blend of jazz standards, contemporary classics, and original music, all the while showcasing the instrumental virtues of its key ingredient. From the Hawaiian Islands to the Island of Manhattan, he combines the warm spirit of Aloha with the vibrancy of New York’s world-renowned jazz scene to concoct a tantalizing taste of instrumental ukulele music. Paul is very passionate about the instrument and its use in jazz music. A conservatorium graduate, he is equally passionate about teaching, so festival attendees will get the opportunity to improve their musical skills and understanding of jazz (on the ukulele) at the festival in July in several workshops.

Fulare_pad (Japan)

fulare_pad is an exciting instrumental acoustic guitar /ukulele duo from Kyoto, Japan. Blending popular genres, they write their own compositions, which range from pop/rock to mesmerising ballads. Their stage presence is engaging and 2011 seems to be the year for them, headlining the Thailand Ukulele Festival as well as the Cairns Ukulele Festival. Their first mini-album in 2007 resulted in one of the tracks being used in a TV commercial of a major cosmetic company. It had them make a professional debut for EMI Music Japan with “Kyo-Fu” in 2008. In 2009, they got the opportunity again to be featured in TV commercial of the same cosmetic company with their new song “Ocean”. They also released the second album “Furari Trolley Tour” later in the same year. In 2010, they made a trial of their music to Jazz-Fusion field and won the 2nd prize at Sapporo City Jazz 2010 Park Jazz Live Contest, following which they produced their latest album “fufufu”.

Craig Chee (Hawaii)

Looking to bring something to share on the mainland, Craig chose to focus on the ukulele before leaving Hawai’i for college. Although Craig had grown up playing the cello and piano, he wanted something that gave a little more distinction of coming from the islands, and of course, the ukulele did exactly that. Craig was one of the favourite performers at last year’s Cairns Ukulele Festival, engaging other musicians and audience like a pro. Craig has produced a CD since then with his band, His style blends pop, funk, and rock, all on ukulele. Craig will also be your host on the Ukulele Mystery Tour, along with local tour operator Luke Walker. Anyone who has seen these two in action, will know you are in for a hell of a ride!

Matt Dahlberg (USA)

Matt (The Jumping Flea) Dahlberg is an up and coming artist in the new revolution of ukulele players. He plays with a dedication and passion for the instrument that is infectious. Having played the first two Cairns Ukulele Festivals and toured Australia extensively, Matt’s no stranger to the Australian ukulele-loving audiences. His instrumentals have been described as “luxurious”, “awe-inspiring”, “unbelievable”. We look forward to hearing the compositions he’s been working on the past year! Of course, as has become tradition, Matt will host a free workshop on the Sunday at the Tanks Arts Centre. Matt was featured on the front of the New York Times because he is so successful utilising the internet as a tool to teach players world-wide, and judging the ratings he receives at our festival each year, that’s no surprise to us!

Derick Sebastian (Hawaii)

Through faith and hard work, Maui born local Derick Sebastian continues to live his dream as an accomplished ukulele virtuoso. Derick’s critically acclaimed instrumental album, From His Heart, earned him a Na Hoku Hanohano 2010 nomination. He has shared the stage with fellow ukulele ace Jake Shimabukuro and opened for R&B singer sensation Brian McKnight, with notable performances at PIXAR Animation Studios , ABC’s Greys Anatomy, and professional sports industry’s MLB Arizona Diamondbacks, along with events for the PGA, ESPN and EA SPORTS. Derick recently broke into the Hollywood scene composing the theme song to the movie Life’s An Itch. These opportunities presented to Derick have not come without hard work and dedication. While garnering these many accomplishments, Derick is humbled and stays true to himself, and continues his dedication to inspire lives through his music and impact the world through the pure sounds he evokes through the ukulele. With a personal commitment to his work, Derick’s musical journey is on the upswing, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to watch this young Maui man’s star continue to rise…STOP. UKE. LISTEN!