James Hill: Get to Know One of the Best Ukulele Players in the World

James Hill is among the best-known serious ukulele players in the world. What sets him apart from most of his peers is that he’s not from Hawaii. In fact, he’s from about as far away from a tropical Pacific island as one could hope to get: Nova Scotia, Canada. Ironically, it is largely because of where he’s from that he became a famous ukulele player. Canada uses the ukulele as a way to teach elementary school children the basics of music, much in the fashion that recorders are used in the US. Hill’s love of the instrument started in those early years of his life.

James Hill is one of the ukulele performers who actively seeks to redefine the ukulele as a serious instrument and who, at the same time, doesn’t mind referencing that fact for a bit of humor. Among his recordings, for example, is 2002′s “Playing it like it isn’t…”. Hill has collaborated with numerous other musicians, including cellists and other performers. In addition to being introduced to the instrument in elementary school, Hill was able to participate in a ukulele performance group from a young age, thus cementing his playing it as a serious instrument, ensemble or solo.

James Hill has toured extensively, throughout the United States and Canada. Of course, he’s also played a lot in Hawaii, and is respected among other accomplished and serious ukulele players. His music is largely original, having influences that span a wide range of musical genres. Hill includes among his influences everything from folk to classical. His composition skills have won him wide acclaim, both for their contributing to the body of serious music for the instrument and on their musical merit, itself. He has been called a virtuoso performer and is considered among the best currently performing.

James Hill is active in promoting his instrument, making recommendations to beginners about what types of instruments may suit their needs and other tips. He offers private lessons, but those hoping to learn to play the ukulele on a beautiful beach should be aware that he still lives in his native Nova Scotia. Since the 1990s, the ukulele has become more popular as a serious instrument and the success of artists such as Hill are both the result of that and partially to credit for it being the case. This artist’s albums are widely available online, at his site, and off.