Jake Shimabukuro's 2016 tour includes return to Buffalo

Ukulele master is touring the US and Japan through 2016, performing selections from his new album, 'Nashville Sessions,' as well as previous 2015 releases 'Live in Japan' and 'Travels'

Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro's tour will stop at Kleinhans Music Hall on at 8 p.m. Nov. 17.

Last year, Shimabukuro performed the U.S. mainland premiere of Byron Yasui's "Ukulele Concerto" with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to great acclaim and positive audience response.

Shimabukuro's tour kicked off in Honolulu on June 29 and will take him to over 50 cities. He also traveled to Japan for nine shows during the first half of October.

Tickets for his Kleinhans show start at $35 and are available at kleinhansbuffalo.org. Student tickets are available for $20 with ID. The Buffalo Ukulele Club will perform pre-concert.

"I'm looking forward to the upcoming shows this year," Shimabukuro said. "I have a new setup for my electric ukulele that gives me access to new sounds and timbres that I never incorporated before. I'll be performing lots of new material as well as new arrangements of old songs.

"A few of my favorite moments in the show include an ukulele and bass duet of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and George Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' - and a 10-minute version of 'Dragon,' which utilizes a looper, analog echoes, finger tapping and heavy metal distortion.

"I always try to maintain a balance of traditional music with the edgier, modern-sounding pieces. Every show is a little different, which keeps things fresh and exciting. The most important thing is everyone has a great time and walks away with a smile."

Accompanying Shimabukuro on tour will be longtime bassist Nolan Verner. They will perform songs from Jake's most recent albums, "Live in Japan" (2015), and "Travels" (2015); favorites from his 15-year career; and several songs from his album "Nashville Sessions," released in September.

Shimabukuro's first album of all original songs, "Nashville Sessions" is one of his most adventurous, multifaceted and engaging recordings yet. At the suggestion of his manager, Shimabukuro went into a Nashville studio this past January to jam with two top Nashville session players, Verner and drummer Evan Hutchings.

"At first I was hesitant," Shimabukuro admitted. "'We're just going to go in and jam? Really? With nothing prepared?' I never dreamed we would leave the studio six days later with a full album."

The result is one of the boldest and most unique ukulele records ever made, and one that will touch the heart of Shimabukuro's fan base while enticing new listeners from across the musical spectrum.

Watch Jake perform "Kilauea" from the upcoming "Nashville Sessions":

For more information, visit http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/.