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Andrew Molina is considered one of the most talented ukulele artists in the world. Constantly striving to elevate this small instrument, he has built his reputation on a fusion of genres, his unique combination of ukulele and effects, and his widely acclaimed musicality . Discover the story of this exceptionally talented musician.

Who is Andrew Molina?

Andrew Molina grew up in Maui, on the island of Hawaii. He was thirteen years old when he started playing the ukulele, taking lessons in college. It was in the family that he made his debut: his first ukulele was that of his grandmother and one of his cousins ​​regularly shared his little knowledge of the instrument with him.

His passion truly blossomed a few months later when he attended a Jake Shimabukuro concert. Seeing this artist perform inspired him to fully immerse himself in learning and mastering the ukulele. He then devoted all his time and effort to it, practicing tirelessly for hours. It was then that he realized how much he loved Hawaiian music and playing the ukulele. His calling was born: he would be a musician. For his fourteenth birthday, his father gave him a new ukulele to encourage him in this path. This instrument still accompanies him today, whether at his concerts or for recording his albums.

A few years later, his dream came true. Andrew Molina is today a virtuoso of the ukulele, who has built an international reputation: he performs in China, in Europe, in the United States… and also in Tahiti! His concerts are an opportunity for him to share his love for Hawaiian music with the whole world. But also a way to show the versatility of this little instrument, which can be used in many musical genres. Andrew Molina's music can be described as a mixture of Hawaiian music, rock, pop and jazz. Not to mention his covers of famous themes, such as that of "Game of Thrones"! On stage, he overflows with energy and he is one of those artists who manage to create a strong bond with their audience.

He has released three albums, all of which have been nominated for the "Na Hoku Hanohano" (Hawaii's prestigious music awards, equivalent to the Grammy Awards in the United States).

With his debut album, " The Beginning," Andrew Molina offered eleven songs (eight of which were original compositions). In 2017, he released his second album, "A New Journey." This time, he composed ten of the fourteen tracks. He collaborated with other ukulele masters, such as Jake Shimabukuro, who has since become a friend, Kalei Gamiao, and Craig Chee on cello. His most recent album, "Evolution," was released in 2020. On it, he proves once again that the ukulele has no limits: it's an ambitious album that showcases the artist's technical skill. It features new chords, beautiful bass notes, and iconic covers!

Among the artists who inspire him, he naturally likes to mention Jake Shimabukuro, who, according to him, has revolutionized the way of playing the ukulele. John Mayer, Sting and Rodrigo Y Gabriela are also great sources of inspiration for him: “They all had an impact on the way I played and helped give my style more versatility. »

Teaching in the skin

With concerts suspended during the Covid period, Andrew Molina realized he wanted to maintain a connection with people through music and that he enjoyed sharing his knowledge. He therefore began offering online ukulele lessons and created the " Andrew Molina Ukulele Academy." This interactive online video program, suitable for all levels, is designed for ukulele enthusiasts eager to develop their skills and mastery of the instrument at their own pace. Today, Andrew Molina also offers in-person lessons.

“I think teaching ukulele is a great way to share the joy of making music with others. I love seeing people’s faces light up when they learn a new song or technique. It’s especially rewarding to see them progress and improve over time. I encourage all new players to start training their ear and musical intuition. They will become your most powerful weapons.”

Photo credit: Andrew Molina