Jimmy Buffett News

Hawaiian musician Jake Shimabukuro has the highest debuting instrumental album ever in Japan. But forget the guitars and pianos. He did it with a ukulele.

The Honolulu-native debuted at No. 15 on the Japanese album charts this week with his CD "Dragon," which went on sale here June 1. The CD is scheduled for release in the United States on Aug. 2.

"We've been very surprised," Shimabukuro, in Japan on a promotional tour, told The Associated Press Friday. "Instrumental albums are very tough. And this is the ukulele, which is even harder to market."

"Dragon," a more rock-oriented collection than Shimabukuro's earlier, softer-sounding albums, has already sold 30,000 copies in Japan, according to Sony Music's Yuri Furukawa. She said his last album, "Walking Down Rainhill," sold 65,000, with sales roughly even in the United States and Japan.

Sony, Shimabukuro's label, expects "Dragon" to sell 100,000 in Japan alone.

Furukawa said no other instrumental album has debuted as high on the general album charts in Japan. Traditionally, they find success on the classical or jazz charts, she said.

Shimabukuro, whose unorthodox and energetic style has led some to call him the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele, has a devoted fan base among the Japanese, who for decades have been enamored by virtually all things Hawaiian.

He was chosen by the state as an ambassador for tourism and makes regular trips to Japan to promote the islands as a holiday destination.

He is also making inroads into the mainstream U.S. music market.

Next week, Shimabukuro kicks off a 20-state U.S. tour_ joining singer Jimmy Buffett for several concerts — that will take him from California to the East Coast.

"There's lot of people all over the U.S. who have an interest in the ukulele," he said. "This year we're really looking to tour."

"Every year it gets a little busier," he said. "And that's really a great thing. I get to travel and play my ukulele. What more could I want?"

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On the Web:

Jake Shimabukuro site: http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com