I-69 Heritage Corridor - Hamilton County
Geoff Davis playing his ukelele
 
  "I have to learn how to make everything I love," Geoff says of his passion for ukuleles. He is shown here playing one of his hand made ukeleles. -- Photo by Brent Bjorkman
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Geoff Davis -- Ukelele maker

Geoff Davis has played ukuleles since his childhood, but has only recently started building them in a workshop in his home in Noblesville. Both of Geoff’s parents played ukulele, and Geoff enjoys teaching the next generation to play the ukulele’s syncopated rhythms at the Key Learning Community in Indianapolis.

While ukuleles are typically considered only a Hawaiian instrument, they have been made in Indiana since at least the 1910s. Raised in Indiana, he believes, "The Holy Grail to uke building is finding another Hoosier-built uke." His favorite is a 1920s ukulele made by Frank Bremmerman of Indianapolis.

Today ukuleles are celebrated in the Midwest Ukefest, held annually in October. Click the link to hear Geoff play his favorite song, a Hawaiian tune called "I Like You."

Listen to Geoff:

Play the ukelele Listen to Geoff Davis

Another tune Listen to Geoff Davis

Hear Geoff talk about his need to create Listen to Geoff Davis  (transcript).