The Ukulele Occasional

Editor Michael Simmons talks to Maria Maccaferri about the nine million ukuleles her husband, Mario, brought to the world through their Mastro Plastics Company.
Richard Johnston of Gryphon Stringed Instruments provides a detailed account of the C.F. Martin Company's ukulele heydays.
Frank Ford, also of Gryphon Stringed Instruments, tells us how to work with those pesky friction pegs on older ukes.
Mr. Simmons gives us an extremely thorough history of uke's nearly-forgotten stepbrother, the tiple.
UO editor Jason Verlinde interviews 94 year-old music legend Bill Tapia, a stylish strummer who somehow entertained troops during both World Wars.
New Orleans-based freelancer Marc Weidenbaum interviews guitarist Les Paul on his days recording and playing with Roy Smeck and Cliff Edwards.
Earnest Instruments proprietor Joel Eckhaus describes the numerous lessons he took from the Roy "Wizard of the Strings" Smeck and the glory of the novelty song.
Underground cartoonist Justin Green contributes a moving illustrated look into the life of the troubled "Ukulele Ike" in an original strip entitled "From Rags to Riches to Rag."
Uke kingpin Jim Beloff gives beginners a lesson that will get them started playing the uke in just a minute or two.
Seattle's Dan Murdoch interviews Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder on the rock star's love for the instrument.
Mr. Verlinde interviews the mind-boggling Langley Ukulele Ensemble from Langley, British Columbia.
Duplex Planet's David Greenberger tries to describe the magic of Tiny Tim.
Singer/songwriter John Wesley Harding investigates the uke playing of the late, great comedian Peter Sellers.
Mr. Verlinde interviews Stephin Merritt, the mastermind behind quirky indie-rock band the Magnetic Fields and one heck of a uke advocate.
Mr. Simmons talks instrument-making with Tony Graziano, the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based luthier.
Reviews of books and CDs and videos.
Vintage photos
A few more odds & ends ...

Cost per issue is $6.99 (US).

The Ukulele Occasional Home Page


		THE UKULELE OCCASIONAL #1 DETAILS 128 pages, 6"x9" in size, perfect-bound, with the following stories and interviews in no particular order: Editor Michael Simmons talks to Maria Maccaferri about the nine million ukuleles her husband, Mario, brought to the world through their Mastro Plastics Company. Richard Johnston of Gryphon Stringed Instruments provides a detailed account of the C.F. Martin Company's ukulele heydays. Frank Ford, also of Gryphon Stringed Instruments, tells us how to work with those pesky friction pegs on older ukes. Mr. Simmons gives us an extremely thorough history of uke's nearly-forgotten stepbrother, the tiple. UO editor Jason Verlinde interviews 94 year-old music legend Bill Tapia, a stylish strummer who somehow entertained troops during both World Wars. New Orleans-based freelancer Marc Weidenbaum interviews guitarist Les Paul on his days recording and playing with Roy Smeck and Cliff Edwards. Earnest Instruments proprietor Joel Eckhaus describes the numerous lessons he took from the Roy "Wizard of the Strings" Smeck and the glory of the novelty song. Underground cartoonist Justin Green contributes a moving illustrated look into the life of the troubled "Ukulele Ike" in an original strip entitled "From Rags to Riches to Rag." Uke kingpin Jim Beloff gives beginners a lesson that will get them started playing the uke in just a minute or two. Seattle's Dan Murdoch interviews Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder on the rock star's love for the instrument. Mr. Verlinde interviews the mind-boggling Langley Ukulele Ensemble from Langley, British Columbia. Duplex Planet's David Greenberger tries to describe the magic of Tiny Tim. Singer/songwriter John Wesley Harding investigates the uke playing of the late, great comedian Peter Sellers. Mr. Verlinde interviews Stephin Merritt, the mastermind behind quirky indie-rock band the Magnetic Fields and one heck of a uke advocate. Mr. Simmons talks instrument-making with Tony Graziano, the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based luthier. Reviews of books and CDs and videos. Vintage photos A few more odds & ends ... Cost per issue is $6.99 (US). The Ukulele Occasional Home Page