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SPRUKE Festival News

Maton Ukuleles at Spruke

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A Maton Ukulele is the result of combining the best of traditional ukulele design with 21st century production techniques. Handmade in Melbourne this instrument draws on Maton’s extensive background in the use and fine tuning of Australian tonewoods to produce a tone which is rich, full and intriguing, and which evokes the timeless sounds of the classic Hawaiian ukuleles of time gone by. After the initial success of the Blackwood ukulele was established and the building methods sorted[…]

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Ukastle Ukestra

Mark & Janes Ukestration Workshop

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UKESTRATION is a way of teaching skills to a group, combined with the wonderful flexibility of the ukulele, using appropriate and popular songs. Facilitated by internationally acclaimed professional musicians Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart who promote the James Hill philosophy of engaging players of all levels in an orchestrated manner. The technique has been adapted by Mark and Jane into a teaching method that has something for everyone from individual players to teachers and leaders[…]

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What is “I PLAY UKULELE” about?

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“I Play Ukulele” has been written to teach children and adults alike, the fundamentals of reading music, whilst developing a good solid technique for playing the ukulele. This is the first book produced in a 5 book series that plans to build upon these skills so that players become proficient on their instrument and are comfortable reading music.  Many ukulele books are either at base level without regard to left and right hand technique, are[…]

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SPRUKE presents Australia’s Prince of Uke

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Thom Jackson, Australia’s Melbourne-based Prince of Uke, will be performing at the Friday evening concert and conducting his Uke’n Already Play workshop on the weekend. Thom’s a popular performer at ukulele and folk festivals around the country. He’s young, he sings pretty and his ukulele smells of rich mahogany. At SPRUKE, singer–song writer and “ukulele virtuoso” Thom takes the four-stringed pocket rocket on a journey from folk ballads to hip hop to post-apocalyptic love songs[…]

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Talent on our doorstep – The Pockets

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The Pockets are joining us for SPRUKE! Three gals and one dashing guy — Brisbane-based, The Pockets,  like to swing it old style with melodic harmonies reminiscent of the vocal interludes of 1940 radio shows. Kellee Green, Kylie Southwell, Joyclyn Vincent and Samuel Vincent will charm you with songs of frivolity, nostalgia and romance accompanied by an ensemble of ukuleles, melodica, kazoos and the occasional appearance of Betty the banjo.

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Mic Conway is coming to SPRUKE

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Mic Conway, Aria Award winning performer, singer, musician, songwriter and creator of musical instruments will be performing at SPRUKE, Brisbane’s Ukulele Festival 20-22 September. Conway has achieved popularity from his participation in the 1970s band Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band. He is a nationwide hero for many 3-year olds as Magic Mic on “Humphrey Bear” and from his performances in Soapbox Circus and Circus Oz. “I am tremendously excited by Mic agreeing to come to Spruke,[…]

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International Ukulele Bluesman Manitoba Hal to perform at SPRUKE

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We are excited to announce international Ukulele Bluesman Manitoba Hal will perform at SPRUKE. One of a handful of authentic blues performers performing with the ukulele today, Manitoba Hal is also an accomplished guitarist and songwriter. As well as writing his own blues tunes, Hal also covers traditional songs after giving them his own flavor. His songs also breathe with hints of Tin Pan Alley, hit parade, rock, gospel, and folk. Hal is influenced by artists[…]

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