NAMM Museum Performance: Brittni Paiva

Brittni Paiva (pie –VAH)  already a multi award-winning instrumentalist  is known for her stunning articulation of what she can do on the ukulele going from slow and moving, to rapid-fire, classical-ballet, to ancient Japan, translating forms of jazz, world beat, pop, Flamenco and Latin, and filter these styles through her 4-string ukulele. 

Brittni and her ukulele are a brilliant match: Both are humble in nature, small in size, and very powerful with proper delivery. Brittni and the `ukulele in general have gained notoriety, no longer confined by stereotypes about the instrument. There’s a global resurgence in the instrument’s popularity and she is part of the trend. 

She has performed on stage with Carlos Santana when he appeared in Hawaii; also joined famed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel on stage at the California Worldfest; and become a 3-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner with numerous other nominations throughout the years, including Most Promising Artist of the Year in 2005 for her debut release, Brittni x 3.   

Releasing her 5th CD  with the legendary Grammy winner Tom Scott — who personally requested to play with her at a concert  — thinks Paiva is the real deal, because of her ability to play all kinds of music without losing her identity. “She plays it like a guitar, giving her a wide range of possibilities.  She adopts tunes to this instrument, and makes them sound full and rich. She’s doing a great job and has a great future…She’s got a really unique voice in music,” he raved.   

Brittni received two nominations for this 5th CD and won both categories:  Ukulele Album of the Year and Best Instrumental Composition of the Year from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (Na Hoku Hanohano Awards).