en:bio:lyle_ritz

Lyle Joseph Ritz

10.1.1930–3.3.2017

Since 1957, Ritz appeared as an ukulele player, developing his own style for the interpretation of Jazz music. With How About Uke? (1958) and 50th State Jazz (1959), he sparked new enthusiasm for the ukulele on Hawaii, but focussed soon afterwards on playing the bass because of failures on the North American continent. In 1979 he returned to the ukulele and released a series of jazz recordings for ukulele.

References

Videos


NAMM Oral History Interview (2007)


How About Uke? (1958)


50th State Jazz: On The Beach at Waikiki (1959)


50th State Jazz: Polka Dots and Moonbeams (1959)
How About Uke?: Moonlight in Vermont (1957)


Lyle Ritz, Herb Ohta: Tonight You Belong To Me