Young virtuosos to perform in San Pedro California

By Patti Pietschmann, the travel diva and Ukulele music lover

As a true Hawaii-phyle I can never get enough Ukulele Music. The sounds of the strings speak the islands especially when accompanied by hula dancers. Well you don't have to be in Hawaii to listen to some mighty fine uke-playing.   Andrew Molina, one of the up-and-coming crop of talented young ukulele virtuosos, is bringing his instrument to Los Angeles on September 25.

Described  a mix of Hawaiian, pop, rock and a little bit of jazz, the Maui resident began playing the ukulele when he was 13 years old. Inspired by his mentor and good friend Jake Shimabukuro, Andrew put all of his time and effort into his ukulele, practicing tirelessly for hours on end.

"Andrew Molina is one of my favorite musicians. He works incredibly hard on his craft and approaches the ukulele in such a unique way” - Jake Shimabukuro

Molina’s unique solo ukulele arrangements of hits like Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses alongside his own original instrumental compositions have earned each of his albums a Na Hoku Hanohano award nomination for “Ukulele Album of the Year” (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy Awards). His love and passion for this simple but unique instrument really shows in his playing and songwriting skills.

“When I first started playing the ukulele, I started off on my grandma’s vintage Kamaka concert ukulele from the 1960s. After a year of playing, my dad bought me a semi-custom Kamaka Tenor for my 14th birthday because he saw how serious I was. It's the same ukulele that I play today and that I use to record my albums,” exclaims Molina.

Molina's electrifying performances have captivated audiences across the country and around the world, appearing in China, Europe, Tahiti and, of course, the Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival.

Grand Annex concert attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative 72-hour PCR or antigen test at the door. Facemasks will also be required.

Go to  www.kalakoa.com or call (310) 833-4813.