modern day maestro

he is adored in japan and is just starting to hit the radar on the mainland thanks to one jimmy buffet. need another clue? pick up a copy of ukulele virtuoso jake shimabukuro's latest cd gently weeps which arrives in stores today.

you're in for quite a surprise if your last recollection of someone playing the ukulele is tiny tim on "the tonight show" (click over to itunes to listen to a clip of "shake it up" from last year's dragon for a rockin' introduction).

like what you hear? jake will be returning to hawaii for a show at the convention center at the end of the month and bring his 21st century uke style when he performs with the honolulu symphony pops over thanksgiving weekend.