Ukulele...Shigeto Takahashi and Unk Dicko Meet Again, part 2.

Before Shigeto-san ended his memorable visit to Ukulele Movement shop, Glyn presented him with a special "Ukulele" T-shirt and he autographed copies of his CDs for those who had purchased them. He has a playing style of his own, quite distinct from many of the other Ukulele players.
Shigeto presented me this very "Roots Trip "CD and also another one from that Ukulele couple "Bosko and Honey, titled " Ukulele Safari - Volume 1.

Photo: The cover of Shigeto's Ukulele CD

Photo: The inside message of the Cover page.

Photo: Glyn from UM presenting this T-shirt to Shigeto

Photo:

From UM, I drove him to my club for a Dinner ..reservations had been made.

Shigeto meeting my family at my club for Dinner. Of the two

grandkids in this picture, it was my 4 year old grandson in red[ BT] who

captured the 2 snapshots below! In fact, he enjoys my camera so much

that he is often the one taking potshots at me and at will.
.

Photo:

Shigeto enjoying his special Javanese Dinner prepared

by 2 master chefs flown in from Bali.

Photo:

There was still time for a beer before I drove him to my home

and then to Changi Airport for his departure the same night.
As we chatted over dinner and the drive, Shigeto told me of his dream to be

a full time Ukulele musician, entertainer, traveller perhaps in a year or two.

And when the dream becomes reality, Unk Dicko has offered to connect him

with the relevant people and agencies when he intends to perform in S'pore.

UKULELE...Unk Dicko and Shigeto Takahashi at Ukulele Movement.

Last month, my good ukulele friend Shigeto Takahashi whom I have blogged about in April 2009, contacted me by email from Japan...to tell me he will be making his 2nd visit to S'pore again in a few days' time. He was here on work attachment with his company. Before arriving, he had indicated to me he would like to visit the Ukulele Movement shop at Beatty Road with me.
Unk Dicko has been around to many of the shops that offer ukuleles and guitars for sale. However, I have yet to visit UM until that Saturday in April.

Over a series of emails I sent to UM's owners...Glyn and Simon, a warm online contact has been established. The husband and wife team had wondered if I could persuade Shigeto to do a " mini-performance" and sharing session...as they have not met him before. They were both very excited as they had Shigeto's latest Ukulele CDs on sale in their shop.
After Shigeto's arrival, he was accomodated at Pasir Panjang Inn, same as last year. I called him and we chatted once again. Having known him since a year ago, I found Shigeto to be a really nice guy...easy going, relaxed and very comfortable with anyone with a ukulele or music background. So, it was not difficult for me to request him to do the mini-performance. He agreed wholeheartedly.
On that rainy Saturday, we met up again at our rendezvous...the Ukulele Movement shop at Beatty Road, around 3 pm. The first person to greet me as I entered the room was Shigeto-san!
" Ah...Dicko-san ! " he shook my hand warmly.
" Hai...Shigeto-san! Long time no see! " I said.
Then a pretty lady stepped forward and introduced herself as Glyn and asked her hubby Simon to come forward.
" So you must be Unk Dicko..." she said as we shook hands warmly.
Although this was the first meeting between me and this wonderful couple, they told me that they have been visiting and reading my blogs especially my blogposts on Ukulele.

UM's premises has a lovely set up. I like the simplicity of the concept. There is a warm atmosphere about the place and the ambience is unlike so many of the other shops I've seen.
There was a small gathering of ukulele enthusiasts and a little later, Richard Chee came in.
I had invited him to drop over as a surprise....as Glyn was his former student at CJC years ago.
Glyn personally walked me over some of the Uke items on sale and I must say I was and still am impressed by the good to high quality standard of the Ukuleles I tried there.
I have taken note of 2 or 3 which I was attracted to including the very slim Travelling Ukulele
( 2 versions ). Sounded superb!
Soon as all the introductions and browsing around were over, Shigeto was formally introduced.
He spoke off the cuff and warmly thanked everyone for their presence.
Then he played some of his most recognised pieces...including Hiro March, The Peanut Vendor and The Saints Go marching In.
All were enjoying his playing so much. The fortunates ones filmed or videoed it.
Shigeto himself had his own recording set up.
He gave an encore when asked!
After the demo, he shared some strumming tips like the fan strum.

Photo: Shigeto being introduced...



Photo: Ok, I play...you sing.

Photo: The appreciative ukulele people



Photo: And this piece is from Cuba.

Photo: Richard and Unk Dicko


Photo: Young and old enjoy Ukulele music

Photo: Glyn, Unk Dicko, Shigeto, Richard and Simon



Photo: Shigeto outside the entrance to U M.

Unk Dicko and Shigeto Takahashi...part 6

This video has the Merlion in the background.

The one who is playing is Shigeto Takahashi...one of the best Ukulele players in Japan.

He was here in Singapore recently and met up with me, a fellow ukulele player myself.

Before you click on the video to listen...remember to click pause button on my Jango Jukebox at

righthand side...to shut down the auto playing at Jango.

Sounds of Ukulele at the Merlion !

This is Shigeto's latest video posted on Youtube. In it he plays one of his

signature tune on the ukulele which I loaned him. Frankly, he is such a great

ukulele player that any ukulele would sound good in his gifted fingers.

See my previous posts about " our" recent meeting , here in Singapore.