Scottsdale Strummers Ukulele Group

Uncle Sam Wants Uke

I bought a ukulele while in the Navy, but it has been in a closet for a long time. Three years ago I went to Hawaii. When I returned, I got my ukulele out, gave up on my guitar, banjo, and assorted other instruments, and I am now a ukaholic.

I love my ukuleles, and I am doing my best to make the ukulele a popular musical instrument in the state of Arizona. I have even gone so far as to announce in several locations that the governor had declared the ukulele to be the official musical instrument of Arizona. Actually people believed me.

We have a group called the Scottsdale Strummers who meet on Friday mornings from 10 am to noon at the Senior Center at Granite Reef just north of McDowell in Scottsdale, AZ. Address is 1700 N Granite Reef. We are in our 3rd year, and while the attendance varies, as people join and move away (we have some snowbirds) we number about 25 with 6 to 10 on a regular basis.

The Scottsdale Strummers perform at folk festivals, coffee houses and other venues in Arizona, mostly in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I will include these performances along with other groups I am associated with on the calender.

Now some people have to work, so in in October 2008, we started a Ukulele Kanikapila . We will meet the 3rd Monday or every month at 6 pm. That has been going pretty good. Format for the evening is: Jam Session at 6, then at 7 we will play off a selection of ukulele songs from one of our song books.The "FILES" section on the left contains the songs we will be using.

The feedback I get from people is that they would rather spend the evening playing music rather than listening to others play. From 7 to 8 will be simpler songs, then from 8 to 9 we will play more difficult arrangements. We will occasionally deviate from the format to allow individuals to play songs they like, as a sort of show and tell.

You are welcome to bring 10 to 12 copies of your favorite songs and act as guest conductor.

There is no charge to join, and no charge to attend meetings. Our web site, http://azukulele.com, will show you more about our group or groups. Come join us.

I have posted song books, original songs, and other information on this site.