Daniel Ho - (c) Anatoli Zehalko

Hawaiian recording artist and producer Daniel Ho, won his 6th Grammy Award earlier, and is looking forward to his return to Cairns. Last year, Daniel mesmerised audiences with his beautiful blend of classical, island and reggae ukulele. People were so enthusiastic about his performance that they requested him to return, and Daniel is more than happy to oblige, having fallen in love with Cairns. So much so, that he is interrupting his tour of Japan, especially to perform at the Cairns Ukulele Festival! Below you find a clip footage shot at the last Cairns Ukulele Festival.

Iwao

In Japan, there’s one name that is synonymous with ukulele. It is IWAO. He is the ultimate ukulele man, performing at every ukulele gig in Japan, playing his unique brand of jazz and Hawaiian ukulele. With more than 10 albums to his name, his repertoire is enormous. His outgoing and easy going nature is infectious and his touch is simply beautiful.

Shigeto Takahashi is the quiet achiever of the lot. Most comfortable playing his uke on top of a mountain under a big tree, Shigeto’s humble and unassuming nature and huge smile have charmed audiences around the globe, ever since he entered the

Shigeto

stage of the open mic night at the New York Ukulele Festival. Shigeto plays fingerstyle ukulele like no-one else. Festival organiser Gaby Thomasz experienced this first hand, when visiting a trade show in Los Angeles some years ago. This trip was her inspiration to start the Cairns Ukulele Club and also her first encounter with Shigeto who got up in front of the Huntington Beach Ukulele Club and literally blew everyone away. Next July it is Cairns’ turn!