Taimane: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@bunny5728]

This is probably the best Ukelele player in the world

[@DevinPA410]

Tossup between her and Jake, I’d say

[@AdalidCortes]

​@@DevinPA410She was a student of Jake.

[@Platypi007]

Me: "I'll just play this Tiny Desk Concert in the background while I'm doing something else." *always ends up watching the entire show intently*

[@heidiankers108]

aha! yup!.

[@nochepatada]

I mean, they have a dancer

[@Wiley_Coyote]

I had no clue a ukulele could make those sounds. None at all. Very talented woman.

[@wiredbassclarinet]

I wish they would have had it close up!

[@andrewgray5298]

I believe that is a guitarlele. Similar to an ukulele, but instead of 4 strings, it has 6 strings and is tuned like a guitar.

[@gerardshand1832]

andrew gray 5 strings

[@Wiley_Coyote]

@@andrewgray5298 okay, but why does she call it a ukulele herself in the video?

[@ivopauwels5064]

@@Wiley_Coyote indeed, and it's in the description as well :)

[@icedbannanas]

Next time someone goes on about how music nowadays lacks skill or feeling...please direct them to NPR's Tiny Desk's Concerts. Thank you.

[@bigtreesinspireme]

Amen. Tremendous.

[@Ela.elizabeth]

I mean really! How amazing was this?

[@zomo8497]

Couldn't agree more with you. This is just phenomenal.

[@fairybliss7772]

I say this constantly

[@bj444hunt9]

I concur 🙏

[@MsAKALady]

That intro...dayum. Tiny Desk is really exposing me to new music for real.

[@nprmusic]

Love to hear it!

[@better.better]

Check out her KZbin channel.

[@jzkramer]

great comment.

[@purelovepaintings5075]

true that

[@madnessrecords364]

That's old music.

[@driftingover]

The way she smirks while she's shredding. She knows she's also shredding our hearts. 😍

[@SocratesOnABike]

There is a PBS Hawaii interview with her up on KZbin, and they talk a bit about her stage presence. She started out playing on the street, and she credits that with giving her such a strong stage presence. She says she stares people down a lot while playing, because that's part of how she would draw in when she had to compete with the sound of cars driving by and whatnot.

[@jennyhateseverything]

She knows she ate

[@brookehoffman9984]

She is one of our most prized musician in hawaii. So good to see someone who started so young with all the greats make it to tiny desk with her own style/mix of cultural style and blends. I love your stage presence and you show that a ukulele can be a very dynamic instrument . Good job Gf

[@gordonmarthur315]

How's things over on your islands 🔥, in the circumstances. g over in Western (European) Isles 🇮🇪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wee g

[@elsolyelrio0195]

You are beautiful

[@vidarfreyr]

I just love it when people honor their culture and heritage by keeping it alive like this.

[@SleepFan771]

She's straight up shredding on a ukulele! Amazing!

[@ShoH]

And her stage presence too! She's been a real influence on me.

[@floriancapitulo2499]

Ocean Sage Is fast rhythm playing shredding?

[@SleepFan771]

@@floriancapitulo2499 It can be

[@TraneFrancks]

She studied under Jake Shimabukuro, so yeah. Lady's definitely got chops.

[@joeldedios5380]

that ukelele had a cigarette after being played like that.

[@bradleyallen86ba]

🔥

[@abstracthorizons9136]

😂

[@kicking222]

This is the best Tiny Desk in quite a while. What a talented woman and a great band.

[@nprmusic]

Yay! Glad you liked it!

[@flyingcheff]

Check her out, she's (obviously) been playing for years, stunning, all of them.

[@kfalxa]

@@flyingcheff Since about the age of 5... and yes, amazingly talented and massive range. I just had the pleasure of seeing her/them live twice on their west coast tour a few months ago.

[@gordonanderson3111]

Best of it's kind, nylon strings, since Jenny & the Mexicats, tore it up there. Volcano-ish.

[@gwjohnsoniii]

@@gordonanderson3111 I totally agree - and she too was soooo sexy! YIKES!

[@ChrisCopeful]

I think most situations can be improved by having a Polynesian dancer jump into the scene. Waiting at the dentist's office, panic buying toilet paper, etc...

[@susycremers]

Absolutely. I love Polynesian dancing. However, what erks me is Taimane's obvious self-absorption. ...These dances are stories and sacred and if you ever watch them being performed as such, the musicians are supporting the dancer and not the other way around.

[@pamcamcris]

Thanks to you, a Polynesian dancer will now always be the thing I'll think of when I need to get out of a stressful situation & find my happy place, i.e. combative people at work, people who stand too close to me while waiting on any line, etc... It's such a beautiful art form & the story telling is always heartfelt

[@MarlonOwnsYourCake]

I wanna believe he wasn't even part of the show, he was just feeling it

[@nikolina5513]

LOL!

[@SonicSeraphim]

Toilet paper is harder to come by than a Polynesian dancer

[@SunnyTacos]

Clicked because the flowers on her hair looks so pretty and stayed for the music, they are suberb.

[@tattoodle66]

Me too :)

[@13origamichickens91]

Same lol

[@vanneswing]

i also came for the flowers :D

[@pcmaclean]

I did the same... phenomenal performance

[@mightyV444]

Yes! Thank you, flowers! 😀

[@matthieucote2272]

When I was 12 years old I went to Hawaii that must've been in 2006, Taimane was 12 years old also and she was playing on the street of Waikiki Beach. Extremely talented, we bought her CD and talked to her dad who was her manager I think... Few years later I found the CD and saw how crazy talented she still was! Love following you every year and you're so talented Taimane!

[@jennyhateseverything]

She’s 35 so she was like 17

[@duckonmyquack]

I don't think i've ever seen someone dominate a cajon like that before

[@rafaochando56]

kids in spain or perú

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

I am so totally mesmerised by that cajon, had no idea it could do so much.

[@connorhollison3542]

Unreal actually

[@ariadnaferre6446]

Rafa Ochando as an spanish person, I can tell you that in Spain we don’t do that

[@theancienteternaloaktree]

I am a musician, but jeebus... that is skeery... (severe string envy)

[@torosalvajebcn]

She's an Alpha Fairy...very soft and gentle, but totally in charge of the situation.

[@michaelkutulas8878]

I had the honor of performing with Taimane at the Honolulu Greek Festival about 10 years ago, when she sat in with my Greek band, Fotia. She was up and coming back then, but was already a remarkable talent, in addition to being a very passionate musician and a humble person. This is a great performance and I love hearing her along with her bandmates! Yiasou and Aloha!

[@carolinasantiago9830]

I'm a hula dancer and it's the first time that I've heard a song that I've danced before in this kind of interpretation. It's absolutely amazing! I just can't even describe how much it moved me!

[@seanmatthewking]

Yeah Nah 🙄

[@osodelososos5552]

When she said “This is the sexy part”, and there was me thinking the sexy part had started as soon as she started performing!

[@rossmcinnes5536]

100% !!!

[@1thomson]

Her opening song is the _Habanera_ ("L' amour est un oiseau rebelle") from George Bizet's comic opera, "Carmen". Taimane said in an interview, later, that the Tiny Desk people asked her to change her prepared set because they wanted an all-acoustic performance. She had prepared to use some pedals with her ukulele, but she was able to completely change the set on the fly. And, this is the result. Not bad. No? Yes.

[@keradel]

I love the way she blended the different styles and cultures on her ukulele. Thanks Taimane and Tiny Desk!

[@kevinthomas4074]

She is smoking!

[@dylanclancy]

She's playing like she's trying to win her soul back from the devil.

[@agm8088]

She needs to go to the crossroads in Georgia at midnight to win it back.

[@charlesdahmital8095]

In that dress? I am sure the Devil is trying to keep hold of his.

[@lunaetnix2034]

She has the pick of destinnnnyyyyyyyyyy

[@TH-lo8mq]

Best ukulele player I've ever seen. Great band. Glad I didn't skip this one.

[@ishitadebnathbiswas8946]

I will never see a ukulele the same way again. This woman is magic personified. And plus points to the male dancer, thanks for that. :P

[@samanthabruce5446]

Taimane has such an alluring intensity at the beginning of her set it's insane. She is stunning all around, loved this performance so much

[@samuelsladd7720]

Samantha Ober it’s actually my first time of watching her. She’s really good

[@sarahturner9562]

@@samuelsladd7720 same, loved the performance

[@One-eyedFats]

As my bandmate screamed the 1st time I showed her a Taimane video, "STOP SHOWING THE PRETTY GIRL! I'M TRYING TO WATCH HER FINGERING!!!" 😂🤣 I hope you'll check out Taimane's songs that effortlessly combine classical and metal riffs. Incredible!

[@tiendanewen3882]

Jajajajaj yo estoy tratando de ver lo mismo!!

[@9UaYXxB]

Tiamane's cheekiness is only surpassed by her daring and creativity.

[@humanonearth1]

That was so metal in a way, and she was so rad, she killed it. I'm in awe tbh.

[@totlyepic]

This is the heart of music. She really gets what it means to perform, not just play.

[@allysonjohnson2339]

is no one going to comment on this dude's dance moves????.... WILD

[@ViniVPinheiro]

I was not expecting THAT. That performance was GORGEOUS. I have never seen someone playing an ukulele so beautifuly. Loved it!

[@kevinmoyer6224]

Live life with the same confidence as that dancing guy

[@mienteroso]

I like when that little dude jumped back in to do his second dance. Hahahaha. That was awesome.

[@DavidFMayerPhD]

I like the way Taimane showcases the other musicians. MOST start ignore their accompanists because they don't want to give them a start to go out on their own.

[@onlyrick]

Having been forced to learn the ukelele before I was allowed a guitar, I have had a bad attitude toward the instrument for over half a century. That ended here. Viva Taimane and her ukelele!

[@James-nr9gm]

Three years later and dabbling in music myself, I have a greater appreciation for this music than I did when it first came out. Wow, what it must be like to be a part of that! ...and I still wish we got to see her hands 😂

[@PentameronSV]

*_0:02_**_ - Medley: Carmen, E Ala Ē, Jupiter_* (8:18 / 8:30) *_9:35_**_ - Fire_* (13:39 / 13:55) *_14:42_**_ - Maluhia_* (16:36)

[@ShoH]

The first one also has a bit of bach and a Japanese classic "Sakura Sakura" too! Awesome medley.

[@PentameronSV]

@@ShoH Ah, good catch.

[@kcunningham3900]

@@ShoH Was trying to place those, spectacular performance 🤩✌️

[@marcosmith2501]

Taimane is as hot as Carmen, even if she cannot dance the Flamenco.

[@djhemag]

Sho Humphries any idea what Bach song it is? I’ve been searching for ages.

[@lydiaart]

I just realized where I'd seen and heard Taimane before. We were watching Islands of America hosted by Martin Clunes (Doc Martin and Reggie Perrin) and she was on the program when he went to Hawaii. Love these Tiny Desk Concerts!!!! Taimane is very talented, talented musicians in her band,too. Martin Clunes fans, also.

[@drawingonthemoon]

Why did the cameraman cut away when Taimane does the hand movements near the end and shows the other singer. Also cut her hands out of the frame when she was playing the most intensely on the ukelele. Why? Those seemed so fascinating visually. These out of frame and that particulare cutaway were distracting and a little disappointing amongst an other wise gorgeous presentation.

[@deeliciousplum]

At first I was "Oh? Another ukelele musician on KZbin." Then, Taimane began to play. Ummm... Wow! The accompanying musicians and the traditional dancer are equally as ferocious as Taimane. 🎶💕

[@alyssagendron4209]

Stoked to see this legend getting some exposure!

[@Thj387]

Now, that’s how you do a Tiny Desk Concert-mad strings, a dancer, and all!

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

After everything going on this week, this was even more fantastic.

[@charlottemueller1956]

... I really Love this tiny desk concert ... don't know how often I listened to this ... it's not only a concert for the ear it's also fascinating to watch each of these wonderful musicians and not to forget the dancer ... Taimanie's fingers flipping over the strings Robert's heartwarming bright smile and the stops with really clean starts again ....awesome... balm for the soul .... thank you so much ...

[@flyingcheff]

Hana HO! It's just so good! Oh my goodness, Taimane is finally there! I get "Chicken skin" my island sister! Oh - my - god! Yes, she's so beautiful (they all are) but why oh why is the camera not on her ukulele close up too, there is not one single tight ukulele shot, not ONE!!! This is what Taimane is about. I'm just so grateful that she's on. The hula, unbelievably perfect and beautiful! Miss you Jazzy! Real men dance hula!

[@inogueronv]

Great girl, grat musician, very special.great band

[@alexgray8804]

*hana hou

[@Kalanimauimusic]

I was thinking the exact same thing: Why aren’t they focusing more on her musicianship?!

[@darrisnelson5223]

Best Tiny Desk performance ever! Taimane glowed and played and sung more beautifully than ever ... E ala E was sung and performed more powerfully than I’ve ever heard ... spectacular all around!

[@michaelfoxbrass]

I'd not expected this experience. Beyond musical, beyond Hawaiian, just so fresh and encouraging!

[@joenoah9906]

She is mesmerizing. She can walk into a room and take the attention away from the party.

[@marcusvieira96]

This is something I didn't expect to hear this morning, but I'm so glad I did. This is the music I didn't knew I needed. Those musicians and the dancer are beautiful souls and bring so much feeling to the listeners, to the world. Fantastic. This performance quickly became one of my favourites. Thank you Tiny Desk and mahalo Taimane.

[@khaira7328]

Wow. Just wow. This performance was absolutely incredible. She is talented and sensitive, always making sure all her band members were recognized as well. All of them, dancer included, are so, so talented. The whole thing made me wanna jump, made me wanna dance, made me wanna cry. I swear this made me feel so hopeful about life. Thank you for this.

[@asteriskman]

12:05 "This is the sexy part" ... yea ok, what was the rest of it then?

[@Abdulazizakamreat]

Fire ,haha

[@j-man72b72]

I was like: Wait a minuet, I missed the not-sexy parts?

[@unclemax3254]

the journey to that part..maybe!

[@Seventysongs]

Unfortunately whoever edited the video and especially who filmed Taimane, deprived us of appreciating his fantastic right hand technique.

[@jamesfelix]

exactly...this frustrated me sooo much

[@MrMalcusx]

You should check her youtube channel for some hints about triplet techniques, strumming patterns, etc

[@karencarlson8109]

I think he's a girl.

[@SooBeautyFull]

@@karencarlson8109 Of course it's a Karen commenting this

[@robin_birdie_]

Nothing to be frustrated for. Just relax and joy this amazing performance and MUSIC! )

[@bezswags4932]

I'm in awe, shocked, excited and bewildered ALL at the same....

[@alisonjoseph450]

Never knew I would find an artist who would make me love a ukulele. Such talent!!!!!

[@runningwiththewolves8284]

I’ve loved her music for a while now... she’s amazing 💛 And super kind - when I emailed her, she replied.

[@jjkazakoff-eigen4662]

11:04 I love how she is using her whole body to add energy to the fire. Beautiful concert.

[@hxctalent]

Whoa, Taimane took Jake Shimabakuro's influence, added classico, and WENT BEYOND with it. Seen her live before with her traditional sets but this was AMAZING! Thank you to Taimane, all performers, and Tiny Desk

[@olarte99]

August actually she’s been playing she was a child. I think her and Jake have parallel journey and each are totally amazing on their own. I’ve had the pleasure to meet them both and they are unique in their talent but two the nicest down to earth people eve ever met. Check out the KZbin video where they played together. Taimane is my inspiration as a musician.

[@hxctalent]

@@olarte99 Yup, family of sound techs here. We were there at her first performance as well as Jake's. I understand your prospective, I'm saying the audience can feel the generational osmosis. In a time of Hawaiian where in 2002 Hoomalu and Shimabakuro were being criticized, now we have a new forge, a new original, a new standard for what is original. The latest set we were working with her was WIllie K's fundraiser at the Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon. Maybe it was because of the somber mood but she did play Fire.

[@michaelaine14]

the balls to dance man, fckin respect that dude

[@ringodaisy7]

Yay! So happy she got to play on at NPR! Watching her perform in person in an intimate setting is literally the best thing ever.

[@lavibratariana1539]

Amazing! The chemistry between everyone is so in sync and a joy to experience. The eclectic blend of musical styles are so fun ! She shreds the ukelele like whaaaaat✨✨✨ fire🔥🔥🔥💙

[@vincevaughn5702]

Incredible. My only complaint is that this is that I wanted it to last MUCH longer!

[@kfalxa]

Vince Vaughn Check her youtube channel, she has a lot of material there ranging from very informal to formal performances and all styles sometimes in the same song medley! Led Zepplin, Beethoven, Surf music, she can hop between them effortlessly. Her channel here is just her name: Taimane.

[@ruddyronxin1065]

The ancestral chant and the traditional Dance make me cry...Deep as a volcano...

[@thumbeliinaaa]

omg 😭😭 i clicked on this by chance and now my life will never be the same. so beautiful wow. i didn't know i needed this 🌈💕✨

[@nprmusic]

Yes! That is what we like to hear!

[@xkikitaru]

Same, I’m off to buy a ukulele, wondering what size she is using, bass, tenor , or concert size?

[@andrewhart27]

@@xkikitaru tenor 5 string

[@johnsatyajeet]

Goosebumps everytime I visit it again and again

[@MYKroe]

Taimane is a ukulele virtuoso. I believe she uses steel strings which is not typical for a ukulele and she has that wonderful ethereal voice. I think she highlights the versatility of the instrument in ways people have not seen before.

[@MYKroe]

@shansen I believe Taimane was tutored by Jake, so yes, without Jake Taimane would not be where she is. Both Jake and Taimane have proved that the ukulele is a versatile instrument.

[@karwashblark7499]

Idk you can see pretty clearly the transparent nylon strings in the video IMO

[@MYKroe]

@@karwashblark7499 You are right, I read that she uses classic guitar nylon strings. I am not a musician, so I have learned that steel strings would probably tear the bridge off a ukulele. Taimane does reproduce that beautiful Spanish guitar sound.

[@MYKroe]

@weapsalot You're not wrong. Taimane was actually a student of Jake's. They both make the ukulele sing.

[@tonywords6713]

KZbin really needs love button for how Tiny Desk makes me feel.

[@jonthebru]

Conceivably the best Tiny Desk Concert so far. She has a great sound and style.

[@jvsings9146]

This is one of the best tiny desk concerts I’ve seen. This woman is super talented, I really enjoyed watching her play. The comfort she shows with her instrument is amazing. Beautiful show, beautiful showmanship, true talents.

[@UncleHam1337]

Guess i had spare 17 minutes after all...

[@taylorcaron6875]

lol same

[@agm8088]

Must be like, ok one more, ok one more.......

[@liamouziel211]

Hahahaha

[@jsmyth024]

THE CHILLS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

[@whoopees13]

I never expected male dancer come up on tiny stage. look like polonesian style but sounds like flamengo, gypsy, hawaiian... very ensemble.

[@seanmatthewking]

Dude came out of nowhere...disappeared... then leaped back in frame again. Couldn’t help but laugh 😂 It was dope! But also funny because it was so unexpected lol

[@QCMercer]

@@seanmatthewking The whole thing felt like a big meme lol. I feel like it was pretty unnecessary

[@1NazareeM618]

@@QCMercer it doesnt mather what you think or that you are not pleased by it lol bit selfsentric arnt we

[@cesarequevedo8943]

This has been my favorite "Tiny Desk" Concert. Taimane is a Ukulele genius!

[@brianawahl1250]

Im so glad she got on tiny desk!! I love her music

[@Gentleman808]

If you guys don't know, Taimane used to perform with the legendary Don Ho in Waikiki when she was a little girl

[@AaronMurphy]

It's a bummer that the camera person or director refused to show us her sweet ukulele playing up close on the first song....

[@britskihambone8158]

I love this woman....that smile of hers just kills me.

[@MayaLiladiVento]

Oh man I LOVE the male hula dancer and I immediately teared up as soon as she started singing ❤️

[@witchyjuls777]

Drums & Dancing as well.!🥁🪘🌈💜👍

[@SDSBBQs]

*What an awesome way to start a Friday!* Thanks NPR

[@jaydeepghosh6141]

Even you guys can be bowled out by the flawless beauty which lies in her eyes😍 apart from her lightning fast fingers😂!!Kudos to you Taimane🙏♥️Each of those 17 minutes 14 seconds is worthy & you mesmerized me all through!!

[@pmartinez358]

The way she slithers....love it

[@Otto-Just]

I too, am enchanted by the way she moves

[@jubalschoolofmusic3676]

I don't remember to be at a concert without getting tired or bored. That's extremely good

[@zebulonswearingen9935]

I think Carlos Santana would enjoy this. I know I have been enriched spiritually from this experience. What a beautiful woman with a great band. The musicianship is fun and exciting, the songs are all so entertaining, so happy, so adventurous, just carrying me away to another place....

[@cpchri1]

Obviously Taimane can shred the ukulele and she makes quite an amazing performance. She got a good chance many years ago from Don Ho. But one thing I didn't know is how wonderful she can sing. The third song Maluhia is beautiful. Sing more Taimane! Mahalo Tiny Desk!

[@MsTubbytube]

In the past she mostly sang tones not words, but I was very impressed with her recent cover of Wicked Game and hope she sings more!

[@Enigma241000]

Discovered another beautiful artist, thanks to NPR!

[@melissaoconnell5648]

Aye Wow I am Mahalo Thank you so much for letting life and love flow through you all BlesSings 🙏

[@ericjohnston591]

I've watched this maybe a dozen times over the past few weeks. Enjoyed it every time. Thanks, NPR, and thanks, Tiamane and your band!

[@TheRedeye6]

There isn't a price I would not pay to have that kind of left hand precision. She is marvelous.

[@johannafechtel4301]

It's hard to believe she's human... and not some heavenly creature who was sent to us to show us what total bliss and surrender to the Universe is like.

[@karupe9982]

Not saying simple youtube covers with ukeleles are bad...but the complexty in any instrument after listening to the same covers for so long...its beautifullll

[@aj8639]

I’ve been waiting too long for Taimane to perform at Tiny Desk

[@silviac221]

Seriously impressive. I didn't know her! NOw I'll have to make up for the lost time.

[@hoobhoob1000]

I liked the video, watched for a few minutes then tried to like it again having forgotten that I had already liked it. It's THAT good.

[@pianification]

Imaginate tener ese talento enorme y esa gimnasia para poder hacer lo que quieras con el instrumento. Increíble!! Grosa total

[@nikkclrk]

Just...perfection. Mahalo Lui Loa ❤️ Spread Aloha always

[@kenbaker9738]

She's like an interstellar princess sent to Earth to try to make me happy. ___________---- it's working. She's magically magnificent.

[@wiredbassclarinet]

What amazing music - and what terrible camera work. Cutting away to the cajon during her solo, cutting out her hands and instrument on the close ups.

[@gwjohnsoniii]

I totally agree! Part of her charm is that she can actually play amazing riffs, and the cameraman is just a hair above her hands! And then not focusing on the cajon when he's playing a solo.... What the....

[@RobertBreckenridge13]

This was my only complaint about the video, I really wanted to see more of her fingerwork. Also, the poor violinist performed more backup vocals than violin.

[@espirite]

Sure. But it could just be that with the small distance of the room and the longer lens he had to work with it was the best he could do and had a choice between either cutting her face in half (which would have looked terrible as well) or doing what he did - which is try their best to frame both face and hands. I'm pretty sure the camera operator was making the best out of what he had at the time.

[@wiredbassclarinet]

@@espirite I don't doubt that - they may even have been told to go tight because there was a wide shot. It may have had nothing to do with the camera operator but it doesn't change that it the end result was disappointing. I don't buy that it was the room or the camera lens because they moved down to her hands once or twice. I think it was a problem of choice or direction. No other tiny desk concert has been shot that way.

[@georgedaffin1654]

NPR stands for National Public RADIO

[@AbsolutelyNOW]

Woww I love Taimane, just awesome performance, and great soul, divine Goddess

[@1nonlyp1]

Love that this talented hula dancer just "pops in!"