Farewell Ukulele Player John King

Travel Blog  •  Pam Mandel  •  04.06.09 | 2:44 PM ET

Uke players around the world are saddened to learn of the death of ukulele master John King. He was a popular teacher—many of my ukulele playing friends took lessons from him here in the Pacific Northwest and were looking forward to his upcoming classes at the Portland Uke Fest. His blog, Nalu Music, includes exhaustive back information about the history of the uke, his tour schedule, quotes about the ukulele, sheet music for skilled players, and lots, lots more. John King was a writer, a musician and an advocate for Hawaiian music and his instrument of choice.

Here’s John King playing Ka Ipo Lei—a love song for David Kalakaua the last king of Hawaii—on his uke. John King died much too young. He’ll be missed.

Tags: Music, North America, United States, Hawaii, Shrinking Planet

Pam Mandel is a freelance writer and photographer from Seattle, Washington. Her work has appeared in a variety of print, radio, and web publications and she's contributed to two guidebooks, one on British Columbia and one on Hawaii. She plays the ukulele, has an internal beacon that is surprisingly capable of locating the best baked goods in town, almost any town, and speaks German with a Styrian accent. Learn more on her personal blog at Nerd's Eye View.


1 Comment for Farewell Ukulele Player John King

jeri 04.09.09 | 2:28 PM ET

Thank you for allowing the music of John King playing the ukulele. I enjoyed it very much.  Jeri

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