Herb Ohta

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

Living in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor Mother taught him how to play the ukulele Inspired to play ukulele after hearing Eddie Kamae How he got on the All-Navy show on Ed Sullivan Friend convinced him to make a record Number 1 Hit "Sushi" Playing 3 shows a night in Waikiki "Song for Anna" Performing in Japan

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78-years-old, is known by ukulele fans in Japan and around the world as "Ohta-san." Ohta-san is a master ukulele player who learned to play the instrument from his mother in the pre-World War II era in Honolulu. He played a major role in popularizing the ukulele in the 1960s and 70s, expanding the repertoire of the instrument beyond Hawai`ian songs to include international pop and jazz. In his interview, Ohta-san vividly demonstrates his stylistic development by playing excerpts from songs that were significant to his career. (June 2014)

curfew hawaii musician pearl harbor world war II music ukulele military dick clark Lloyd Thaxton record waikiki

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