The Brittni Paiva Interview: "The only limit you have is the limit of your mind."

Of the thousands of ukulele players around these days, only a handful have reached the level of Brittni Paiva, the 21-year-old ukulele artist who, like Jake Shimabukuro, is stunning millions in YouTube videos and on stages around the world. Propelled to fame by her four albums, as well as her highly acclaimed version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which has counted nearly 640,000 YouTube hits, Brittni is one of the preeminent ukulele players of our time.


Brittni’s latest album, Four Strings: The Fire Within, shows a level of musical maturity and mastery that belies her years. While Brittni has been playing ukulele since her grandfather Isaac Takayama gifted her one over ten years ago, her style is one of decades more experience. Showing Latin and Hawaiian influences, the latest album is a jazz work that puts me in mind of such artists as Strunz and Farah or bassist Brian Bromberg.

The work begins with a cover of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s fast Latin instrumental “Tamacun,” and while I love R y Gs original, Brittni brings such a wonderfully rounded sound that, as with all her covers, makes it her own. Other covers include her highly moving version of Santana’s “Europa” as well as a studio version of her now-classic take on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The second cut is the first of the album’s four written by Brittni. "Crusin’ on 7," named in honor of the seven pounds of boost on her newly turbocharged car, is a fast moving, happy tune that puts me in mind of such iconic jazz anthems as Chuck Mangione’s “Feel’s So Good” or Spiro Gyra’s “Morning Dance.” “Made for Me” is a slower, more romantic number written for her husband, Branden (who, according to Brittni’s liner notes, helped Brittni “muscle” in her car’s turbocharger). “Fusion: East” and “Fusion: West” are twin takes on a common theme, one in Western and one in Eastern style. The two work together wonderfully and put me in mind of early Return to Forever fusion compositions.

The album also features Brittni’s renditions of “Sunday Morning” and “Acelrou.” Toronto guitarist Johannes Lindstead plays classical guitar in his duet with Brittni on his “Hour of the Lamps.” Once agin, the technical brilliance and musicality puts me in mind of Rodrigo y Gabriela or Strunz and Farah.

Brittni, a native of Hilo, on the Big Island, recently took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few question about her new album, her musical spirit, and her love of ukulele.         (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

                                                                             LAMB CHOP UKULELE COOKIN' 
                                                                                                            July 18, 2010




Uh-oh, looks like Jake Shimabukoro has competition! This young lady plays ukelele, guitar, and percussion, and while she can be quite dexterous on that diminutive four-string instrument, the uke, clean as a whistle, brisk as a fall wind, she favors the more picturesque side Al DiMeola and Stanley Jordan went for after the clamor for pyrotechnics died down. She also, however, gets a distinctly Benson-esque flavor redolent with essences of Hil and Bonfa. All of this pours into upbeat and happy compositions while never sacrificing a moment to superficiality.

Paiva possesses a true jazzwoman's sensibilities, a keen ear tilted to melodic and improvisational possibilities while keeping a tight rein on rhythm and concord. A super clean engineering job adds sparkle and layers to each cut, and her takes on Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Europa are going to put a bit of a sweat, and a smile, on Jake, the latter song carrying a surprisingly piano-esque tone. Then there's her handling of the guitar, all too briefly demonstrated and much too sporadically, as in Made for Me (a tune written for her husband) but which argues persuasively that Paiva really should be more up front with the instrument.

The Fire Within is entirely instrumental and features Rhythm Summit's Dean Taba on bass. How, though, she managed that fanning/lead-line simultaneity on Fusion: West is beyond me, seemingly impossible for human hands, and, man, I wish she woulda carried Fusion: East on for half an hour. Reminded me of the old Hiroshima band getting a little more serious about its roots. And did I mention she's just 21? Yeah, I know, makes you feel like ya oughtta make toothpicks of the ol' Les Paul and reflect on a life misspent, doesn't it?

                                                        A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
                                                                        by Mark S.  Tucker   ACOUSTICMUSIC.COM



BRITTNI PAIVA/Four Strings: The Fire Within:  If Jake Shimabukuro is the Jimi Hendrix of the uke, then Paiva is the instrument's Muriel Anderson.  At 21, she's every inch the over achiever with an arm load of awards already under her belt and playing at the top of her game even as she continues to raise the bar.  Clearly a master of her instrument, as well as a few others she can dazzle with, this is a classic CAN date that easily veers between new flamenco, smooth jazz, instrumental prowess and more.  A first class listening date that really gets the blood flowing and the ears open, this plucky Hawaiian is what we need more of stateside.  Hot stuff.
                                                                                    CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher 
                                                                    MIDWEST RECORD


Brittni brings a whole new spirit to the music and to the instrument: pop sensibilities in a smooth jazz format,” says John Schroeter, music producer and author of Between the Strings: The Secret Lives of Guitars. “It’s got a new kind of energy—it’s infectious.”
                                                                        AMERICAN PROFILE


"Brittni is the premier female ukulele player in Hawaii. But her skill is nearly equal to Jake Shimabukuro. These two stars take the simple ukulele and elevate it to classical guitar standards. Jake has a few more years on her—she’s just 21, but Brittni is already a seasoned pro. She handles classical works as well as jazz and a variety of ethnic modes including Spanish, Peruvian, and Eastern European, all with aplumb. Unlike Jake, though, she is also accomplished on bass, slack key guitar, piano, and drums. She self-produced her first CD, Brittni x 3, when she was CD and won numerous awards for it. She has since released three more albums. She excels not only in interpreting others’ work but in crafting her own originals. She also is pursuing an online Master’s Certificate Program through the Berklee College of Music….Brittni, I love your music work."  

                                                                           MUSIC UP CLOSE, APRIL 2010
                                                        


"Four Strings- The Fire Within" is the latest album from the young and talented world music star Brittni Paiva. This album features 10 songs of Paiva's award-winning and heartfelt ukulele playing. The album starts off with, "Tamacun" as Paiva plays a brisk Latin number in which you can really hear the extent of this young lady's talents on her instrument as she plays with a fine and strong dexterity. The Pop song, "Sunday Morning," by Maroon 5, features Paiva putting her own creative spin to this song as she plays with a calm and soothing style. The ever popular standard, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," Paiva shows us how well she can infuse heartfelt emotion into a simple song. This album is perfect for those who enjoy relaxing music and can appreciate dexterously talented ukulele playing. Brittni Paiva and her album, "Four Strings- The Fire Within," is a distinctive treasure of songs featuring the ukulele and is well worth hearing."
 
                                        -Sean B. and the RADIOINDY.COM Reviewer Team



"Her ‘ukulele skills are embodied with fine ingredients of musicianship. Brittni Paiva takes possession of her talent as she provides her listeners with tunes that leaves a memorable and beautifying experience. Her presentation of ‘music’ is sure to continue to open doors."
                                                                      STUDIO NOIZE



"...great sounding album.  ...Brittni charts some new ground and it's nice to see the creative boundary being moved in an ever expanding circle."
                                                                        
                                                                             Live 'Ukulele



"Brittni Paiva's time may have finally come: she generates heat and excitement aplenty on her newest CD, where she strums and plucks with flair and genius.

Overview:     Paiva has selected a repertoire with global punch and her performance is both fiery and nuanced. The intensity can be felt on "Tamacun," a challenging piece with swiftly switching melodies; the interpretation is tender and reflective on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"; the poignancy of Carlos Santana's "Europa" is lasting. Paiva's fingers converse without words."

                                                                                    Wayne Harada
                                                                THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER