Herb "Ohta San" Ohta
A Brief Biography

 

From the programs of "Ohta San" in Concert, 2002 and The Hawai`i Daughter's Guild 30th Annual Holokű Ball, compiled by Guild President, Sharon Ku`uipo Kana`e Paulo:

"A favorite son of Hawai`i, Ohta San is the soft-spoken master who says it all with his fingertips.  He makes the 'ukulele speak a romantic language -- and true virtuoso that he is, his skill has helped to establish the 'ukulele as a solo instrument.  

Ohta San is today a world-renowned artist.

"To hear him is to experience someone
 who is an absolute master of his instrument."
~ Jim Beloff

In 1944, a small boy came to the KGMB studios in downtown Honolulu to play his 'ukulele for the "Amateur Hour". He took home first prize-$10, along with a comb and brush set. He returned the following week and again he won first prize. When he came back a third time, they sent him home. He was just too good and it wasn't fair to the other contestants. 

The boy was Herb Ohta, later to be known as "Ohta San." Two years later he met Eddie Kamae, who taught the young "Ohta San" a number of sophisticated techniques and told him to practice hard. 

Kamae said of their first meeting, "Herbert was maybe twelve years old.  He had his 'ukulele and we talked. I remember asking him to play a song for me.  He played the "Stars and Stripes Forever," Jesse Kalima's song.  I told him as time goes by, he should play something that would identify him.  I had a feeling that he was very dedicated and serious about his music."

Kamae became "Ohta San's" first mentor.  Today "Ohta San's" vast repertoire defies classification; he can expertly deliver a soft, romantic "Tennessee Waltz," a crisp, snappy "Girl from Ipanema," and everything in between.  

His lovely "A Song for Anna" written for him by French composer André Popp was an international hit in 1974 and has sold over six million copies.  Now nearly sixty years later, "Ohta San" is recognized as one of the world's greatest 'ukulele players.  

He is a proud son of Hawai`i."

 

~~~

"Herb Ohta, internationally renowned musician, began playing the 'ukulele when he was only 7 years old. Influenced greatly by Hawaiian 'ukulele virtuoso Eddie Kamae, this exceptional musician has elevated the ukulele from an accompaniment solo instrument status. 

He extends his love of the ukulele from Hawaiian music to classical, jazz, rock, pop, and Latin music as well. Ohta-San's diversity and style reflect his lyrical sense and is respected as the height of ukulele artistry. He is the only known master of the ukulele instrument to have over 300 tunes played on national radio."

Ohta-San with over 60 albums to his credit, continues to fascinate his fans in the U.S., Canada, France, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and beyond. His successful hit, "A Song for Anna" composed by famed French composer and conductor André Popp, has sold over 6 million copies throughout the world."

~~~

More details on Ohta San can be found here.

~~~

>> "Talking Story" with Ohta San at His 'Ukulele Workshop
>> More on Ohta San
>>
Excerpts on Herb "Ohta San" Ohta from HAWAIIAN MUSIC AND MUSICIANS, edited by George S. Kanahele



Return to 

>> The Master of the 'Ukulele, Ohta San
>> Easter Sunday with Ohta San



"Life is a Gift."

Me ke Aloha, 
Author Unknown


 "The only gift is a portion of thyself..."
~
Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

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This web journal was created on a September Morn, 
September 29, 2001
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