Ukellettes

Two line bio:-
The Ukellettes are a diverse group of women of varying ages and musical experiences who came together in their love of the ukulele. This simple, yet complex and highly portable instrument bestows the gift of music, and the reward of pure joy.

Expanded bio:-
The Ukellettes are a six piece all female ukulele ensemble, a diverse group of women of varying ages and musical experiences, who came together in their love of the ukulele, playing a variety of different \\\'ukes\\\' (soprano, concert, tenor, banjolele, baritone), of all shapes and sizes. They play mostly old time, traditional type songs from by gone eras, with resounding rhythms and heavenly harmonies, plus a visual and musical presence to delight audiences of every age.

Current group members (in alphabetical order) are: Anna Chamberlain, Annie Grindstaff, Vivian Huard, Jo-Ann Lawton, Karen McLaughlin & Amber Raymond.

Vivian is currently taking some time off due to work and family commitments, and Annie spends her winters in Hawaii (poor Annie) so the group is presently undermanned (or is that underwomanned?), but hopefully Vivian will be back sooner than later.

Mini Bio\\\'s for each band member :-
Anna Chamberlain: When I heard about S.O.U.P., I wasn\\\'t even sure that I knew what a ukulele was exactly. I wandered in, had a ukulele put in my hands, and started strumming. I\\\'ve been strumming ever since! I call it my \\\"happy machine\\\". Really, give it a try; you just might surprise yourself...

Annie Grindstaff: Being fortunate enough to spend winters on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, it wasn\\\'t long before I became immersed and in love with the local music and their major instrument - the ukulele. I started learning from chord charts & books and from listening & playing along with the Hawaiian songs. At home, in London, especially with the Ukellettes, I realize how this wonderful instrument can be used to play every kind of music, and that it always brings a smile to the face & the heart.

Vivian Huard: I play the clarinet and flute in two concert bands, and have sung in choirs and a praise band, but on receiving a ukulele as a gift a couple of years ago, I fell in love with this little charmer. The Southern Ontario Ukulele Players group was instrumental in getting me started and it was out of this group that we came together to form the Ukellettes.

Jo-Ann Lawton: With almost three decades of playing guitar, singing, songwriting and combining talents with others, in a variety of groups, trios and duos, I was musically battle weary. Then one fine day along came the ukulele. This supposedly silly little instrument brought it\\\'s many layers of musicality with it, and opened a timely and welcome door for my ongoing creativity... Jo-Ann’s [link=\\\"http://www.jo-annlawton.com/\\\"][color=\\\"red\\\"] website.

Karen McLaughlin: Music has been a part of my life since I first heard the haunting use of a mandolin in PEI. I started to take mandolin lessons, eventually playing and composing songs on this instrument that became my “soul” instrument. Looking to expand my abilities and to find simple joy in music, I started learning the ukulele. Then I fell in love with the baritone ukulele which is my “heart” instrument and my joyful musical journey continues. [link=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKsr8XeN3uU\\\"][color=\\\"red\\\"]Beothuk Green Maiden of Newfoundland [link=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQqclUjz1yQ\\\"][color=\\\"red\\\"]Shining from the Inside

Amber Raymond: I\\\'d wanted to learn to play a musical instrument for a long time so when the opportunity came up to learn ukulele I decided to try it. After my introductory evening at S.O.U.P. I bought my first uke first thing the next morning and I\\\'ve been hooked ever since.

History of the band:-

In the spring/early summer of 2009, June Cole started a ukulele group in London {Southern Ontario Ukulele Players} [or SOUP] which met (& still meets) once a week at the Old East Studios to learn and play together. Several of the women in SOUP were invited by June, with her vision of an all female ukulele ensemble in mind, to back her up in her self produced variety show (Diversities). Subsequently a decision was made by all of them to continue as a separate entity and after several meetings and practices, the Ukellettes were born.

During their time together, the Ukellettes have played lots of gigs at a variety of venues, and continue to develop their talents as a group.

Satisfying a large group of women with very different lives and schedules has presented a constant challenge to the band, for everything from practice times & places to choice of music & arrangements. As in most groups, change of personnel is inevitable and several members have moved on. Those remaining, however, continue their passionate affair with the ukulele.

In February of 2011, the Ukellettes started a regular Friday evening gig at the East Village Coffeehouse, (just down from Aeolian Hall, from 7:00 to 9:00) which they played until the end of June (2011), and started up again on alternate Fridays (2nd & 4th) in the fall. In 2012 they are playing alternate months, every Friday. They played in February and will play (Fridays) in April & June.

Every time they perform, someone new gets to listen to their joyful music, and doors are being opened …… Libraries, private parties, county fairs and festivals are all showing high interest in bringing the Ukellettes combined talents to new venues.


Where the Ukellettes have played
(In no particular order):
East Village Coffeehouse (ongoing)
Diversities variety shows
the Lorne Ave. Block Party
Covent Garden Market
BanjoMania 2010 & 2011
Artemisia (Celebration of Women) Festival in Ingersoll
Banner MusicFest
Ailsa Craig Town Hall (senior’s club)
London Public Libraries Culture Days
Lifespin
Aeolian Hall (for Old East Live VI)
Royalcliffe Retirement Residence
Horizon Place Retirement Residence
Kensington Retirement Residence
Parkwood Veterens Hospital(New Year Bash)
Home County Folk Festival
Stoney Creek Library, Ukulele Jam
Wolf Performance Hall (for Maude Barlow event)
ANAF#229 Legion BBQ
On Broadway (Broadway St. Wyoming) Car Show & Party
Private parties.

Contact info:
email: jonige@sympatico.ca
Telephone 519-673-5860 (Jo-Ann)