inthespotlight
Greg Gattuso
After an unexpected layoff in 2004, copywriter/editor Greg Gattuso bought himself a cheap ukulele as a diversion from the stress of job hunting. A self-described tiki buff and mediocre guitar player, he learned a few chords, but never expected to get very far on the instrument. Within a few months, however, what started out as a kitschy hobby, became a legitimate passion, opening up new realms of music and friendship.
"I'm not sure what it was about the uke, but I was hooked," Gattuso says. "All of a sudden, I was playing songs and singing, and I couldn't put it down. I knew I needed to find other people to play with."
Fortunately, the ukulele scene was just starting to boil in Gattuso's native New York City, with ukulele clubs, meetups, and uke-only open mikes springing up all around town. "With the Internet, it was easy to meet other players," he says, "and I was surprised just how friendly and supportive they were in helping a newbie get up to speed."
After sitting in on a few practice sessions, Gattuso was invited to join New York Ukulele Ensemble, an offbeat combo of hipsters, folkies, and jazz aficionados that performed at the New York Ukulele Festival and released the CD, Ukulele Street. Gattuso later founded a Hawaiian-style jazz band, Agent 99, and produced a documentary entitled Ukes for Obama that was featured on CNN.
When job opportunities called in 2009, Gattuso and his family (wife, Sarah, and son, Roman) moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Gattuso continues to write songs, perform at open mikes, and play once a month with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Ukulele Meetup Group.
This summer, Gattuso released Hilo Greg's Little Songs for Big Kids, a digital-only EP of original children's songs, on CDBaby and iTunes.
GEARGuide
Hohner Kazoos: "A ukulele player always has to have a kazoo on hand. It's the law!"
Kamaka Tenor: "My main uke- I use this one if I'm playing in a band. It has a nice, full-bodied sound that stands out in a group setting."
Who are your musical influences?
I like a lot of the old-time players, like Johnny Marvin and Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards, guys who could sell a song with just their voice and a ukulele. The songwriter in me really admires Randy Newman--great lyrics and great chords.
Why do you continue to make music?
Playing music, and the uke in particular, makes me feel better. It helps get rid of stress and helps me think. I also get a lot of enjoyment out of entertaining people and the personal satisfaction of writing a song from start to finish.
How do you continue to learn?
I could never really sit through lessons, books, or videos, so for me the best way to learn is by playing with other people. I pick up tips from more experienced players, and when I play with beginners, I try to explain certain concepts in proper musical terminology, so that reinforces my theory.
What benefits have you found to making music?
Making music is a great icebreaker. No matter where you are playing, someone will always want to know more about your songs or your instrument, and I'm fortunate to have met some of my best friends through music. Professionally, as a copywriter, I'm always trying to think up clever or witty lines, and that helps both my work and my songwriting.
How do you make time for music in your life?
I do most of my writing and recording at night with headphones on. I can only go to one ukulele meet-up and one or two open mikes a month, so I try to make every jam or performance the most fun and as worthwhile as it can be.
What advice do you have for someone getting back into music later in life?
I'd recommend the ukulele to anyone. It is small, light, and easy on the fingers, and you can get a good one for $50. My advice for players of any instrument would be to search Craigslist or Meetup.com for a local club or practice group, or to start your own.
What is your best memory of making music?
I used to volunteer at hospitals, playing songs for the patients. Even though I'm not a great singer, I could tell that I helped cheer them up a little. That was the most satisfying. Recording with the New York Ukulele Ensemble was the most exciting, because it was my first time in a recording studio. We knocked out the whole album in four or five hours.
