Yuletide ukulele concert at Gwdihŵ

A short history of the ukulele

The ukulele is a four stringed instrument resembling a miniature guitar.

Ukulele: even the word itself conjures images of Hawaiian shores with leaning palms and white sands. So it may come as quite a surprise to hear that that the ukulele was actually invented not by the Hawaiians but rather the Portuguese.

The invention of the instrument is attributed to three Portuguese cabinetmakers named Manuel Nunes, José do Espírito Santo and Augusto Dias, who introduced the instrument to Hawaii in the 1880s after arriving as immigrants on the island from Madeira and Cape Verde. Upon arrival to the island the local newspaper reported that the Portuguese immigrants were, “delighting people with nightly street concerts” and from there the popularity of the instrument grew rapidly.

This growth in popularity throughout the then independent country was substantially aided by the ardent support and promotion of the instrument by King Kalakaua, a patron of the arts who incorporated the instrument into performances at royal gatherings.

In the following decades the popularity of the ukulele spread across the globe, particularly throughout the US and UK, being famously played by comedy actor and singer-songwriter George Formby during the pinnacle of his career in the 1930s.

After seeing a slight decrease in popularity after the Second World War, interest in the instrument was revived when Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover versions of the songs, Over The Rainbow (video below) and What A Wonderful World gained worldwide fame in 2003, both of which featured in several films and popular television shows.

Today the ukulele is still increasing in popularity throughout the world with a surprisingly large fan base in Japan – so large in fact that the country is now regarded by many as the second home of the ukulele.

[youtube width=”300″ height=”300″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k[/youtube]

Gwdihŵ bar has announced its popular Yuletide Ukulele Cabaret event will be returning for its third successive festive season, much to the delight of regular attendees.

Gwdihŵ bar on Guildford Crescent will hold the event on December 17

The Cardiff alternative music venue has confirmed the event is to return on Monday 17 December and will once again be exhibiting the somewhat odd, but strangely alluring combination of ukulele’s and Christmas songs to provide guests with a truly unique festive concert this winter.

Neil Brodigan who describes himself as a, “ukulele enthusiast” attended the event last year and stated; “It was a brilliant night unlike any other. I hope this year’s event can be even better!”

Gwdihŵ has also confirmed it will be serving mulled wine and mince pies to guests, the perfect accompaniment to festive ukulele ballads.