New York Ukulele Ensemble

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The New York Ukulele Ensemble was founded by Uke Jackson^[1]. Current members: Heather Lev, Katie Down, Debra Sherline, Holly Duthie, Christina Liao, J Walter Hawkes, Greg Gattuso, Uncle Zac, and Uke Jackson. The line up is all ukulele, including soprano, concert, tenor, baritone and bass ukuleles, and banjo ukes.

The group's first CD, Ukulele Street, which included performances by additional ukulele players, was released in 2007.

The last known performance by the band was at New York City's thirty-first annual Village Halloween Costume Ball at the Theater for the New City on October 31, 2007. Also this season, the New York Ukulele Ensemble was in the Art Parade through SoHo on September 12, 2007.

For the last two years Uke Jackson has directed an annual ukulele music festival in Manhattan at the 40,000 square foot Theater for the New City, one of New York City's oldest not-for-profit theaters. The New York Ukulele Ensemble is now listed as the host band on the festival website.

Since 2006, the New York Ukulele Fest has taken place in April. People have come from as far away as Japan and the rain forest in Queensland, Australia, to participate.

The New York Ukulele Ensemble performs original songs and tunes drawn from a variety of music genres. Their music is meant to present audiences with entertainment that frequently challenges cultural suppositions.