Welcome to the Hawaii Ukulele Ensemble
Expanding the boundaries of ukulele music… one part at a time
Ready for a new ukulele sound?
The Hawaii Ukulele Ensemble (HUE) is a musical group that brings a fresh twist to ukulele music. We create a rich and layered sound by playing multiple parts in perfect harmony. This complex sound is usually not associated with the simple ukulele, and audiences are amazed by HUE’s arrangements of familiar songs, from classical to jazz to classic rock.
We’re a group of friends who all have a deep love for music. Many of us met in an ukulele class for seniors. Since then, we’ve become a band of like-minded musicians who are always pushing ourselves and the instrument that brought us together.
Next Performance
Wednesday 5pm
July 2nd, 2025
Kealakekua Library, Kealakekua, Hawai’i
Our Story
“Is there anything more advanced than strumming and picking?”
Tom Russell and Shirley Pratt, two Kailua-Kona residents, started the Hawaii Ukulele Ensemble in 2018. They had a simple question: after strumming, picking, and kanikapila, what’s next?
The Concept
Create a symphonic sound from multiple ukuleles playing different musical parts. Overlapping harmonies contribute to a complete whole.
Orchestrated music, or music with multiple parts, is usually written for symphony or band instruments, not ukuleles. Since there’s not much ukulele music written for an ensemble, Tom or Shirley write each of our arrangements. They get inspiration from pop, rock, jazz, folk, and even classical music. There are usually three to five different ukulele parts, plus bass and percussion parts. The arrangements use fingerpicking techniques, complex rhythms and strum patterns, as well as intricate dynamics and phrasing.
Check Out HUE!
