Music

Uke it out

Jake Shimabukuro

The term “ukulele sensation” may sound like some hipster music movement, but it's no ironic joke.

On October 25, Jake Shimabukuro (pictured) will take the Crest Theatre stage, ukulele in hand, and shred like Hendrix performing “Purple Haze.” Shimabukuro’s cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” racked up more than 8 million YouTube views in 2006, and his 2014 Uke Nation Tour follows the release of his second album, Grand Ukulele. The record is a fusion of original material and covers such as Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” where he plucks and pulls the taut strings of the tiny instrument to play the melody and backbeat of the pop favorite. 8 p.m., $35-$55. 1013 K Street; (916) 442-7378; www.jakeshimabukuro.com. J.R.

Grand expectations

Symphony of 1,000

It’s envisioned to be the ultimate musical collaboration, and the largest of its kind in the history Sacramento—1,000 musicians gathering to form a one-time orchestra.

That’s the plan, anyway. Michael Neumann, artistic director at Sacramento Youth Symphony, dreamed up the Symphony of 1,000 concept and began recruiting musicians months ago. He sought out anyone—all ages, all skill levels—to come and participate in the one-day, community-building event. The afternoon will begin with rehearsals, and within just four hours, the orchestra will perform in front of a live audience.

The event was inspired by Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, a choral work so large it’s often nicknamed the “Symphony of a Thousand.” Neumann’s symphony, however, will perform a collection of relatively simple pieces, such as Ode to Joy and “Can-can,” in order to be inclusive to new or rusty musicians. The earlier musicians registered, though, the more time they had to practice with the sheet music.

Neumann will conduct. The maestro has been with the Sacramento Youth Symphony since 1979 and has held stints leading the Sacramento Symphony and the Folsom Symphony, appearing with several others.

But the magic won’t come from Neumann—it can’t possibly come from just one man. And keeping in mind that most orchestras are fewer than 100 people, hearing 1,000 people play all together, all at once, will be a most incredible feat. Sunday, October 12, 12 p.m. rehearsal, 4 p.m. concert; $20 to perform, $10 to watch. Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street; (916) 808-5291; www.symphonyof1000.org. J.B.

Southern daughter

Roseanne Cash

On The River & the Thread—the title of Roseanne Cash’s latest album as well as her current tour—the singer-songwriter digs into the roots of American music to extract country, blues, gospel and rock and weaves together stories that reflect the South. With a nod to great Southern figures (William Faulkner, Robert Johnson, et al.) as well as places and landmarks (the Tallahatchie Bridge, Sun Record Company), Cash continues to forge her own artistic path. The singer, daughter of course to the late, great Man in Black, will perform from that album and others October 3 at Harris Center for the Arts—it’s one of only four California stops. 8 p.m., $39-$65. 10 College Parkway in Folsom; www.harriscenter.net. T.D.

Captain Fantastic returns

Elton John

Elton John—a.k.a. Sir Elton Hercules John, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (yes, that’s his fittingly proper British title)—might just have the most sing-along-inducing catalog of any classic rocker. Even when he’s not performing “Candle in the Wind” itself, “Your Song,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” are also certainly worthy of pulling out a cellphone and waving it in the air while everyone sings along at his upcoming live show. His latest album, 2013’s The Diving Board, is a return to the simple classic-rock formula for which he’s known best. Another reason to love him: He seems to have about as many awesome dangly earrings as he does Grammy awards. Wednesday, October 1, 8 p.m., $25.71-$140. Sleep Train Arena, 1 Sports Parkway; www.eltonjohn.com. J.M.

Royally retro

King Tuff

With his rough-hewn voice and a commitment to all things lo-fi, the artist born Kyle Thomas makes music that hearkens back to a simpler time, musically speaking. This is DIY garage rock that spans the genre, picking up influences from the likes of the Kinks and Jonathan Richman, Roky Erickson and New York Dolls. It’s raw guitar punk with in-your-face lyrics about girls, cars and youthful rebellion. Good times. King Tuff—the name is a play on Thomas’ initials and the name “King Tut”—makes a stop October 28 at Witch Room. 7 p.m., $12. 1815 19th Street; www.witchroomsac.com. R.L.

Turn it up

NorCal Noisefest

Feedback, static, distortion, humming, hissing—the noises of noise music. Challenging the definition of music, the genre creates experimental soundscapes often devoid of rhythm, melody and structure. The 18th annual NorCal Noisefest is one of the biggest and longest-running of its kind, and it’s homegrown. This year, more than 30 artists will perform over three days across two venues. Most are from California, but some come from as far as Washington, Maryland and Virginia. If you’ve never experienced noise before, bring earplugs. Oct. 3-5; $10 per day, $40 all three days plus T-shirt, CD and sticker. Luna’s Cafe & Juice Bar, 1414 16th Street; (916) 441-3931; Witch Room, 1815 19th Street; (916) 508-0213; www.norcalnoisefest.com. J.B.