Sept. 17, 2018

Contact Jen Roberdeau at 608-796-3738 or jaroberdeau@viterbo.edu

PREMIERE UKULELE MUSICIAN JAKE SHIMABUKURO TO OPEN THE VITERBO UNIVERSITY 2018–19 NEXSTAR SEASON SEPT. 25

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Jake Shimabukuro, one of the world’s greatest ukulele musicians, will open the 2018–19 NexStar season at Viterbo University at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept 25 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

Often referred to as the Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, and Michael Jordan of his craft, Shimabukuro has taken the ukulele to places no one has gone before, performing awe-inspiring music that ranges from jazz, blues, and rock to bluegrass, classical, and folk. He shares a deep emotional connection with the listener that is open, magical, and transcendent. He delivers performances around the world with an out-of-the-box blend of stunning virtuosity, deep musicality, and a natural entertainer’s flair.

Shimabukuro began playing the ukulele at the age of four while growing up in Honolulu. Today his records have topped the Billboard World Music Charts on numerous occasions and he is in high demand as a concert performer. He’s played with world-renowned orchestras and at prestigious venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House. He even performed for that rarest of audiences: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Shimabukuro makes frequent appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, A Prairie Home Companion, and NPR’s Morning Edition.

This performance is sponsored in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Mid-West Family Broadcasting La Crosse is the media sponsor.

Tickets are $35 for main floor, $31 for lower balcony, and $25 for upper balcony seating. For tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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