Ralph Shaw

Ralph Shaw is an unparalleled showman with a knack for engaging an audience. His music has been described as hilarious, inspirational, outrageous, touching, and thought provoking. Born in Schefferville, Quebec but growing up in Yorkshire, England Ralph came to Canada’s west coast in 1988 with a degree in Applied Physics. However, he soon tossed out his calculator to reinvent himself as entertainer, “Ralph the Clown”.

 

In 1997 he transformed once again to become Canada’s “King of the Ukulele”. Ralph now has a long and diverse resume behind him and you’re as likely to see him performing for royalty as headlining a stage show, delighting visitors at international festivals (Canada, USA, Australia, U.K., Europe) or leading his monthly get-together of over 100 ukulele strummers in his home city of Vancouver, B.C.

 

Ralph began his musical career performing cover songs. And whether crooning a 1940s Inkspots classic, belting out a George Formby favourite or channeling Elvis, David Bowie or Tom Jones, Ralph’s performances have been called “electrifying” and “a truly world class act”. He also manages to bring alive the true spirit of early 20th century Music Hall showmanship with his wit, comedic physicality and the voice of a seasoned chanteur, “Backed by his stellar ukulele playing he croons, dances, plays harmonica, yodels and whistles like a state fair champion.” (Quote from the Vancouver Sun.)

 

Ralph has previously released 3 albums, 4 Ukulele instructional DVDs and a critically acclaimed book: The Ukulele Entertainer, all of which have delighted and transformed fans as well as thousands of new ukulele players.

 

Now, with his two new albums titled: Love and Laughter he chiefly performs original songs backed by some of the finest musicians on the west coast.

 

His “Love” album is a collection of songs about every aspect of Love: finding Love, the exultation of falling in Love, lost Love, the comfort of a long term relationship and the transcendence of eternal togetherness.

 

His “Laughter” album covers subjects as diverse as conversing with dogs, the joys of drinking tea, the childhood friend who became handyman at the Mustang Ranch (Nevada’s famous legalized brothel), the building of a ukulele case, the British vicar who got his legs waxed for charity, the art of learning to yodel and more moments from his unusual life as Canada’s “King of the Ukulele”.

 

Experience the performer who entertained Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, for the 2010 Winter Olympics. And be royally entertained by The King of the Ukulele himself!

Visit: www.RalphShaw.ca