Jake Shimabukuro Surprise: Community Uke Jam Recap

July 16, 2025

Photos Courtesy of Grand Teton Music Festival by Bradly J. Boner

Teton Music School and Grand Teton Music Festival joined forces for a free community ukulele jam—an open afternoon of music-making for players of all ages and experience levels. GTMF Curator of Education Meaghan Heinrich and TMS instructor Susan Jones led the crowd through chords for a handful of songs, including Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" and Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." Some attendees brought their own instruments; others borrowed one on the spot.

And then Jake Shimabukuro stopped by.

The ukulele virtuoso, who was in Jackson Hole for his performance at Walk Festival Hall, surprised the crowd by joining for a few tunes and sharing personal stories with the group. He was as warm and genuine as you'd hope: no fanfare, just a world-class musician choosing to play with a bunch of community members on a sunny summer afternoon. It was the kind of moment that doesn't happen every day, and everyone felt it.

Why It Matters

Events like this are at the heart of what TMS believes music can do. As Susan Jones put it ahead of the jam: "The uke brings people together." From young beginners to seasoned strummers, from locals to summer visitors, the Village Commons filled with people who showed up simply to make music together. That's the whole point.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Grand Teton Music Festival for the partnership that made this possible, to Meaghan and Susan for leading such a welcoming, joyful session, and to Jake Shimabukuro for the kind of surprise that makes a community event unforgettable. And of course, thank you to everyone who came out, picked up a uke, and played along.

We'll see you at the next one.

Teton Music School offers music education programs for all ages in Jackson, including Uke55+ groups for strummers 55 and older. Learn more at tetonmusicschool.org.