Taimane Gardner
Taimane Tauiliili Bobby Gardner[1] (born February 13, 1989) is an American ukulele virtuoso and composer.
Taimane Gardner | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Taimane Tauiliili Bobby Gardner |
Born | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | February 13, 1989
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
Instruments | Ukulele |
Early life
Taimane was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is of Samoan, German, Irish, French, and Swedish descent.[2][3] Her name translates to diamond in Samoan language.[3] Taimane began playing the ukulele at the age of 5. She was discovered by legendary musician Don Ho at age 13 and also studied under Jake Shimabukuro as a teenager.[4] She graduated from the Honolulu Waldorf School before attending Kapiolani Community College.[5]
Career
Taimane became a popular local musician on the Waikiki performance circuit as a teenager.[6] In 2005, she released her first album Loco Princess.[2] Her album Life – The Art & Beauty of Being Human was released in 2008.[7] Other released solo projects include Ukulele Dance in 2012, We Are Made of Stars in 2015, and Elemental in 2018.[8][9]
Taimane has performed internationally in Japan and Hong Kong.[7][10] Her album We Are Made of Stars was nominated for Ukulele Album of the Year at the 2016 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.[11] Taimane has also been recognized for her cover medley performances including a spot on the Guitar World Magazine Top 10 Ukulele Moments list.[12]
Personal life
In 2011 Taimane Gardner, then aged 22, crashed into a patrol car on Kuhio Avenue near Nohonani Street in Honolulu early in the morning of Sunday June 26th. A 36-year-old female officer was transported to the hospital, but was later released. Taimane was released on $500 bail and scheduled to appear in court in July 2011.[13] She pleaded no contest to a DUI charge.[14]
Discography
Albums
- Loco Princess (2005)
- Life – The Art & Beauty of Being Human (2008)
- Ukulele Dance (2012)
- We Are Made of Stars (2015)
- Elemental (2018)
References
- Varga, George (October 3, 2012). "Tiny G string a key to ukuleles' success?". U-T San Diego. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- Mossman, Bill (July 14, 2006). "The Diamond of Waikiki". MidWeek. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- "TAIMANE GARDNER – UKULELE QUEEN". The Coconet TV. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- Chan, Tracy (March 7, 2017). "Taimane Gardner's video medley celebrates beach life and surf culture". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- "Taimane Gardner: Ukulele Virtuoso". Waldorf School TV. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- O'Connor, Christina (March 18, 2016). "Taimane's Odyssey". Metro Honolulu. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- Harada, Wayne (September 23, 2008). "'Gift of Aloha' returns for the holidays". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- Moran, Pat (July 2, 2015). "Taimane Gardner: Reaching for the Stars". Ukulele Magazine. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- "Ukulele artist Taimane previews new 'Elemental' album". KHON-TV. April 18, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- Lynam, Robin (October 30, 2015). "Ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner thinking big ahead of Hong Kong gig". South China Morning Post. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- Olwell, Greg (May 31, 2016). "Ohta and Tolentino Take Home Ukulele Album of the Year Award". Ukulele Magazine. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- "The Top 10 Ukulele Moments". guitarworld. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- "Local recording artist arrested for drunk driving".
- "Popular ukulele recording artist pleads no contest to DUI | Hawaii News Network". Retrieved March 6, 2020.