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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
 Posted - 10/04/2009 : 9:30:24 PM
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I’d like to share this heartwarming story from my friend and one of the Bay Area’s most prominent ‘ukulele luthiers, Mike DaSilva. The following describes his surprise for Uncle Bill Tapia, the 101 year-old ‘ukulele legend. Please check out the YouTube video too—it’s priceless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilk0MMJ5zhk .
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“Last April, I was lucky enough to have Bill Tapia perform at the shop on my birthday. During that visit, Bill fell in love with Mary's Dias reproduction soprano ukulele. Bill talked about how it reminded him of his first ukulele (a Nunes) and how he had a very small ukulele just like it that used to fit in his jacket pocket.
A couple of weeks later, I get this phone call. It's Bill Tapia. He is in the car (somewhere in the Northwest, at 101 years old!) going off to another gig, and he called to ask about purchasing a Dias reproduction. I had a nice conversation and gave him some info and the price for the ukulele. I thought he might call back, but I did not hear back from him, so I decided to build him a Dias reproduction as time permitted.
Well, Bill Tapia played at the new Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley last Sunday, September 27, 2009 and during the intermission I got to present the ukulele to him.”
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Mike DaSilva is a strong supporter of ‘ukulele players and other musicians. At his Berkeley workshop, he hosts the bimonthly Berkeley ‘Ukulele Club and also holds concerts, ‘ukulele workshops, kanikapilas, and open mics, http://www.ukemaker.com/ . He builds and then gives away several ukes a year to those who cannot afford one. Mike’s leadership, generosity, and aloha is an inspiration to many of us.
Aloha,
Doug
P.S. Mike will be at next weekend’s Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival in St. Helena. He’ll be providing technical uke advice as “Dr. Uke.”
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 12:45:31 AM
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Wow. That is so very heart-warming. Gotta bring out the kleenex for Auntie Wanda.
And sounds swell, too!!
Thanks for telling us about it, Doug. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 12:22:47 PM
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I have a problem with people exaggerating. Bill Tapia is NOT 101 years old. He is only 100. He won't be 101 until Jan 1st of this year. What's the big deal?
I'm kidding of course. Bill Tapia is an amazing human being and should be a roll model for us all. He deserves all presents from anyone, willing to honor this man. He has so much integrity, and aloha spirit. I've been fortunate enough to have seen him perform 4 or 5 times and I just come away more in awe of the guy each time I see him. Mike does indeed, deserve high praise for his gift of Aloha to Bill. Mahalo to you Doug for the video. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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sm80808
Lokahi
347 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 2:53:57 PM
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| That is really cool :) |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 7:56:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by markwitz
I have a problem with people exaggerating. Bill Tapia is NOT 101 years old. He is only 100. He won't be 101 until Jan 1st of this year.
Jan 1st of this year was 9 months ago! |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 03:32:32 AM
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Ooops You are right!! He was born in 1908. So that DOES mean he REALLY is 101.(Memo to self, never do simple math problems before having your second cup of coffee.)
Thanks for the correction, Craig. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 06:45:41 AM
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Jeeez,
- Youze Guyz are so bad that youze don't even know what condition your condition is in!
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 07:14:20 AM
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| He said he and his dad and maybe t was an Auntie or someone else, all had the same date for their birthday. There is a video on You Tube by TikiTorch (Michi Moore) interviewing Uncle Bill in Japan and he is talking story about his birthday and how he got into playing `ukulele and touring all over. It was really something good to have documented for posterity. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 08:15:32 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Lawrence
...youze don't even know what condition your condition is in!
Retro here, just dropping in to see... |
Edited by - Retro on 10/07/2009 08:15:52 AM |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 12:35:11 PM
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| We are really blessed at the Ukulele Society of America in Carlsbad, CA. Bill is our group kumu with his good friend Pat Enos as our regular Alaka'i (Conductor). When Bill's lesson schedule on Thursdays allows he accompanies Pat to our weekly kanikapila. It really is a speacial treat and pleasure to have Bill perform for us and teach us how to play ukulele. The last time he came by, he had his lap steel guitar with him and he just improvised while we played all our standards. Bill is sharp as a tack, tells terrific stories, and is a wonderful and demanding teacher -- he makes you read sheet music!!! It will be a real treat to hear Bill play on the ukulele that Mike gave him -- Bravo Zulu Mike! |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Mike DaSilva's Gift of Aloha
