Music self-played is happiness self-made." These words scribbled on a ukulele from the 1930s sum up the potency of the little instrument that could. Derided as a Lilliputian joke in the post-War era, the ukulele is making a comeback, attracting a new generation to its bizarre charms.
"Before the 20th century, if you wanted to hear music you either had to make it yourself, or find someone you knew who could," explains Tony Coleman, director of a new documentary. "The uke revival is, in part, about rediscovering the fundamental nature of making music together."
Coleman took time out from his job as an editor for the Canadian public broadcaster CBC to make Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog. It's been a labour of love. Along with partner Margaret Meagher, Coleman travelled the world from Hawaii to Japan, and Taunton, meeting fellow uke obsessives. What attracted him to this odd shrunken guitar? "My big sister Judy had a ukulele. She was a nursery-school teacher and often pulled out the uke to sing along with the kids. When she died, I got her ukulele. The instrument intrigued me. It was full of humour, energy and pathos."
London's only uke shop, The Duke of Uke, has recently been saved after a devoted campaign. "We aren't sure whether to make another film, or open a ukulele shop ourselves," jokes Coleman.
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