It’s no secret that Birmingham, Alabama is a place where music is not just loved, but is born, raised with a rowdy spirit, and lives on eternally. Arguably the birthplace of the Blues, W.C. Handy along with another Alabamian, songwriter Perry Bradford, released the first blues recording, “Crazy Blues.” Sung by Mamie Smith and released in 1920, it was an unexpected, overnight sensation, selling more than 1 million copies in one year. Sun Ra and Erskine Hawkins both found their starts in Birmingham and were formative to the Jazz scene in all of America. These are just two stones in the musical foundation of this incredible city. Things have not settled down on the scene since the ‘20s either. As far as we go, the ukulele certainly has a special place at the table in Birmingham.  

Now, Birmingham isn’t necessarily famous for its uke players, which are undoubtedly overshadowed by the amount of jazz and blues pumping out of the city. That doesn’t mean that ‘Bamains don’t love the little four-stringed babe. In fact, the Birmingham Public Library had a ukulele flash mob in 2015! Check it out here! You may have missed the flash mob but that doesn’t mean if you are a player living or visiting the historically drenched and lively city that you’ll be short on places to play or people to strum with.  

I am sure there are at least a handful newer ukulele enthusiasts that caught the bug via the cheery and smile-inducing tune Riptide by Vance Joy. Imagine (or remember) the moment when you got to see the artist that inspired your own musical passions live?? Well, if you’re in the Birmingham area in the summer, you’re in luck. Tag along to the biggest music festival in Birmingham, Alabama this year: Sloss Fest. Packed with uke playing and oh-so-uke-friendly Vance Joy, Waxahatchee, and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. A sure hit, and what better place to meet other players and music lovers than an two day festival?

Birmingham also has a lot to offer for folk wanting to learn to play. The Birmingham Ukulele Society puts on a “Beginning Ukulele Jam” at the Homewood Public Library a few times a year that is totally free! Founded in September 2014, it has quickly grown to over 200 members, and is held in various locations in the city, though recently in Homewood. They are even sweet enough to lend you a ukulele if you don’t already have your own. Great way to get started on a new instrument! You can check out their calendar here. They also hold free lessons! Check here for more details, and here for their Meetup page.

If you live, work, or go to school in Falcon Lodge, the Falcon Lodge Community Hub hosts free ukulele lessons for all levels every week! You can borrow an instrument here or bring your own. Sounds like an epic place to live! They also have gigs and concerts from time to time. All their information is right here.  

No matter where or when you find yourself in Birmingham, there will always be a lively music scene to tap into. One of the best places to start is probably a drink at one of the 70+ live music venues in this incredible city. Sit down with your uke. You probably don’t have to play a single note before someone asks you about it with that good old Southern hospitality. It’s bound to take you somewhere unexpected, as one of the cradles of jazz and blues would. If you’re short for words, here’s the tabs for Emmylou Harris’ Boulder to Birmingham. Now that’s a ukulele with the blues.