Bio
“Jim’s songs are utterly charming, with lyrics that
are clever, funny and, above all, sweet.”
- John O’Hara, Call It Folk Music
Don’t let the name fool you—this is no novelty act! Call it Cali folk with an island vibe. With music that combines the soulfulness of James Taylor with the pop sensibilities of Jack Johnson, Ukulele Jim will treat you to an ear pleasing, heart stealing, joyful feeling good time! The combination of Jim’s lilting voice with the sweetness of the ukulele is notable in catchy, emotive songs that bridge the gaps between Pop, Rock, Country and Folk music.
From his home studio in Santa Barbara, California, James “Ukulele Jim” Clark uses the convenience of the Internet to work with talented musicians from all over the world, creating an international ‘virtual group’ free from geographical boundaries. This collaborative freedom allows Jim to switch styles between acoustic solo pieces to songs with a full band sound.
Ukulele Jim is also Santa Barbara’s best-kept secret. His rise in ukulele music coincided with his starting a family, which is currently keeping him relatively close to home. With the arrival of newborn twins in 2005, Jim began learning the ukulele so his kids would grow up in a house that was always full of music. He is primarily self-taught, drawing from a large pool of influences such as George Harrison, James Hill, Boulder Acoustic Society, Barenaked Ladies, and The Magnetic Fields, just to name a few.
The music that inspired Jim to choose the ukulele as his primary instrument was “The Cowboy Song” as sung by Tom Hanks in the movie “Joe vs. the Volcano”. It was the first song he learned to play, and he’s since recorded his own version for his kid-friendly album “Ukulele Jim’s Jumping Flea Circus” released in 2010.
When he’s not recording or performing, Jim writes webcomics and graphic novels. He can usually be found busking for the crowds at comic book conventions.
To contact Ukulele Jim, please use the contact form.
