HERB OHTA, JR represents a new generation of 'Ukulele players influencing people to pick up the "best known Hawaiian instrument" and learn to play Herb's grandmother taught him his first song on the 'Ukulele at the tender age of three. His father, Ohta-San (Herb Ohta, Sr.) gave Herb his early instruction on the 'Ukulele and Herb continued to study music playing the viola at University High School. After being inspired by listening to the Makaha Sons and other local musicians over a decade ago, he became a devotee of "Hawaiian Music." The "Ukulele is in his genes and Hawaiian music is in his blood.

Herb's style is reminiscent of his father, but distinct and recognizable as his very own. There is a graceful nahenahe (soft, sweet, melodious) quality that is very Hawaiian, reflecting the inspirations of  "Ukulele virtuoso's Eddie Kamae and Slack Key guitar great Ledward Kaapana.

At age eleven, Herb began teaching for his father's 'Ukulele school and in 1992, started his own Herb Ohta, Jr 'Ukulele School. He continues to teach at multiple facilities as well as provides private lessons by request. Even while teaching six days a week, Herb also finds time to compose new material and perform publicly.

His debut as a recording artist was in 1990, on his father's album, Ohta-San, "Ka Mea Ho'okani 'Ukulele." In 1995 he was featured on the 'Ukulele Stylings #1, "The Best with the Best." where he earned a Na Hoku Hanohano Awards nomination for "Most Promising Artist."  In 1998, Herb earned another nomination, this time in the category for "Best Instrumental of the year" for his first solo album, "Ka Hanauna Hou." The next year, 1999, Herb released his second solo album "Pure and Simple," that produced his third Na Hoku nomination, again for "Best Instrumental of the year."  His latest solo release was this year (2003), a mostly instrumental album called "`Ukulele Romance."

In 2000, Herb wanted to try something different. He teamed up with Slack Key guitar master Keoki Kahumoku and released "Hawaiian from the Heart." Then in 2002, again teamed with Keoki Kahumoku, they released "Treasures of Aloha". Herb, Jr. plays the perfect straight man to Keoki's wala`au (loose banter). Like his father, Herb, Jr has a low-key, ha'aha'a (humble) presence. He lets his nahenahe – "soft, sweet, melodious" – music on the 'Ukulele do the talking with its beautiful harmonies, breaks, harmonics and intricate fingerwork.

As a teacher, composer, recording artist, entertainer and producer, Herb Ohta, Jr. solidly establishes himself in the company of musicians who promote Hawaiian instruments in the music landscape today. It is Herb's goal to share the beauty of Hawaiian music and its culture to people all over the world. He is certainly a vanguard in this new generation of 'Ukulele players.

Herb is featured on our newest compilation CD: The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar  (2008 Daniel Ho Records) just nominated for the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Hawaiian Music Album!

or more information on Herb, Jr, visit www.herbohtajr.com

See and hear Herb perform in The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at The Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui on June 23, 2010 and again on July 7, 2010.

He previously performed in this series at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on June 23, 2010; before that on June 18, 2008 and June 20, 2007 and before that at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on December 23, 2003.