The first artists of the 2014 Cairns Ukulele Festival line-up were announced today with internationally renowned Hawaiian ukulele and jazz musician Abe Lagrimas Jr. and 6-time Grammy-winning Daniel Ho headlining the bill at the event, which will run from 3 – 6 July in beautiful Cairns, North Queensland, Australia.
Festival Coordinator Gaby Thomasz said, “We are incredibly excited to have signed Abe – he has a unique jazz style that has wowed audiences in the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and the Czech Republic”.
“I have been a fan of Abe’s music ever since he released his first ukulele album and am so pleased to be able to finally bring him to Australia and introduce him to the festival audience”.
Abe Lagrimas Jr. said he is very happy about being signed, after hearing about the festival from other Hawaiian artists who have attended the event.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Cairns Ukulele Festival, especially that the people participating in the festival are so enthusiastic about the ukulele and ukulele music”.
“This is always very inspiring for me as a performer, so I’m really looking forward to sharing my music at Cairns this year.” Abe said.
A mixture of new and familiar faces will front up at the festival including six-time Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho and the KoAloha Crew from Hawaii who have carved out their own spot in the program.
Exciting new talent Ryo Natoyama from Japan is one of the breakthrough artists attending and, at only twenty years of age, has numerous CD’s and DVD’s to his name and supported Jake Shimabukuro during his tour of a Japan.
The jam-packed program has workshops, jams, a mystery tour, a World Record Attempt (which we are determined to break this year), the Uke Art Exhibition and the famous Festival Finale Concert.
Gaby said, “This is just a tip of the iceberg in terms of what we have in store for this year’s festival artist and event wise and we have some surprises for our regular attendees – so see you at the 2014 Cairns Ukulele Festival!”.
For more information on the artists, please follow this link
Cairns Ukulele Festival 
Hi Gabby. Are you wanting TUG to play again this year? The line up looks Great. Looking forward to The festival again this year.
Dale Burns Tablelands Uke Group
>
Of course! We look forward to having you!
Hi Gabby, I was wondering if you have an idea of when we will be on stage at the festival and some of the group were hoping we could be first again. It easier on the nerves…lol
cheers Dale
Hello Tablelanders – no need to be nervous, you guys were great last year! Anyway an early slot it is!