Everyone loves Brook Adams, a self-proclaimed ‘ukulele madman. He was such a hit at last year’s Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival that we’re bringing him back, along with his collection of novelty songs, TV themes, soul, funk, modern pop, and swing-era classics–a musical cartoon of the 20th century. Brook makes his home in the Pacific Northwest, where he has played at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle Bumbershoot, Oregon Country Fair, and the Portland Ukulele Festival. He is also one of the masterminds behind the UketoberFest, Eugene’s annual ‘ukulele festival. His latest CD, Tunnel of Sharks, features his band, the Swingin’ Marmalukeys. Among his many claims to fame is playing the entire Beatles’ Abbey Road album, from start to finish, on an ‘ukulele. (He can also play the entire What’s Going On album by Marvin Gaye) At the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat, he inspired a lively group of female students to belt out a stirring rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” accompanied by ‘ukulele. In addition to performing at ukulele festivals all over the country, Brook teaches ‘ukulele workshops for both beginners and more advanced players and has a knack for putting students at ease with his relaxed style and friendly manner.
Workshops
Really Bad Music
“Come and listen to a story ‘bout a man called Brook, poor music man barely kept his family……..” Take it from a guy who loves “bad” music, there’s no better way to bring comic relief to a tense situation (or clear out a boring office party) than those tattered tunes from yesteryear: unbearable stuff like the Partridge Family, TV themes from the sixties, and sappy weep fests like “Seasons In The Sun.” (Not to mention the priceless opportunities to embarrass your children.) This is the music that binds, in more ways than one. In this workshop Brook will teach you some of the worst songs ever written. All you need to bring is a good attitude (snarky is also OK) and your uke. Yes, there will be charts. No, this is not a joke. And, indeed, you will learn something useful, including a variety of new chords, plus some unique and recognizable intros and endings. (Level 2 – 4)
Blue-Eyed Soul
Boz Scaggs. Hall & Oates. The Doobie Brothers. These guys wrote some fantastic songs, but until now they’ve been pretty inaccessible because the chord changes are so freaky. Freaky, that is, until Brook Adams came along and cleaned them all up. In this workshop, Brook will help you get soulful in no time at all with chords that ACTUALLY WORK. Ha! (Singing like Michael McDonald is optional.) Many of these songs have a “signature lick” which Brook will teach you in addition to a technique he’s perfected for playing one thing while singing another. It is, Brook says, “insanely hard,” but he will, at least, get you started. (Level 3 – 4)
The Four-String Path to Enlightenment
Led Zeppelin on the ‘ukulele? You betcha’. But it’s not for the faint of heart. This is Brook Adams’ one, serious workshop at this festival. Among other things he will be teaching you technique, polyrhythmic strumming, and substitutions for a variety of chords. And, you will, at last, learn how to use that high G string to its best advantage with some cross-picking methods. Before you know it, you too will be climbing the stairway to ‘ukulele heaven. (Levels 3 – 4)
