What’s truly impressive here is the restraint displayed. He could easily just start wailing away on that beautifully but intentionally holds back until the right moment. Excellent performance.

I am inspired by you music, I bought an ukulele a months ago I'm 58 years old , thank you for sharing your music, God bless.

Got the chance to talk to him when he performed here in Santa Cruz....you won't find a more talented, funny, kind, or humble soul. So much Aloha.

Saw him live a few hours ago, he played this song as tribute to Cohen. It was one of the best things he played all night. Once think you learn about Jake, is that he doesn't just know how to play the Ukulele, he is also a master at dynamics, and also knows how to hit the strings to make them sound colder or warmer, he puts a lot of emotion info the songs he plays. Because of this I have to say the version tonight was better than this version (this one is still good), but the one tonight had like 50x the emotion to it due to Cohen's departure, so it was a very powerful performance.

i love the way he play from beginning to the end of song.. Hallelujah

He makes it sound like a cross between a harp and a classical guitar.

he just felt the Melody in his soul, that isn't the type of thing that you can describe, you just close your eyes and feel together ❤

I was recently blessed to an evening with Jake Shimabukuro in Caldwell, Idaho. His mastery of the ukulele is astounding. I had the pleasure to speak with him after his performance Jake is a talented, generous and humble man.

I didn't cry, but I had some tears escaping from my eyes. Just beautiful!

I remember jake coming to my school when I was in 6th grade 14 years later he's probably still one of those folks who got me to still love the ukulele when all the ska bands and emo kids started playing them, they never had his quality of making a classic like cohens halleluljah sound amazing. He also let us know the different varieties and tones of ukulele there are out there like the tenor and baritone ukulele.

This Guy has secured his place in heaven....Angelic sounds... Harp like...

I cried hearing this, it's just so amazing. This is my favorite song in the world, and I sing it all the time. But the passion and the emotion that goes into this rendition of the song is so moving, and it's crazy how much this cover spoke to me; without uttering one word, Jake was able to convey such strong feelings and pass it on to listeners and that is just one thing that is so awesome about him.

After a few videos of this guy I´m still blown away.

next time i want to cry, I'll come and watch this. thank you for your gift.

saw him live in NH last light,,,Im in awe, he is the Jimmy Hendrix of Ukulele! My son is self taught(autism) and is still talking about his performance!!!! Want to see more of him around here

Jake is the Richard Thompson of the uke! Can't even imagine what will be his ability in another 5-10 years! What a phenomenal talent.

Amazing Amazing Amazing! Hallelujah!

Bravo, bravo, bravo! KD Lang's cover moves me to tears. I never thought I'd hear anything as powerful from a solo performer. I was wrong. I am speechless....

Wow. That performance was really inspired. Bravo sir, Bravo!

Hallelujah always moves me deeply, and I love your version. Thank you for recording it - and so many cds!

Great job. Hallelujah for blessing you such a great talent.

blows my mind..touches my soul

he is amazing!!beyond amazing!!!l

Beautiful. Great recording. Thanks!

Kevin, I am older than you, and this guy called Jake, lights up my soul with his playing. Close my eyes and just listen to the playing, you do hear emotion. Very cool Jake, you are in my play list.

I've been dying to hear hallelujah on the Kazoo. Now that I've heard it on the ukulele, I know it's possible. Someone do this. Please. Honor this beautiful song with a kazoo rendition.

that hammer-on at 3:19 is giving life to my dying soul

Amazing performance, loved the way you play, so graceful and relaxing Hallelujah ❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍 Take care and God bless!

A couple of naysayers can try to bring things down if they want... But negativity is pretty much destroyed when surrounded by such beauty and talent..

Phenomenal performance 👏👏👏👏 Jake is super talented 🙏🙏🙏🙏Aloha

I started playing about 4 years ago.. because I saw you playing bohemian rhapsody. i thought i had seen the pinnacle of what could be played on this instrument.. but this is so beautiful it breaks my heart man

What a talent that man has 👍🎵🎶🎼

I watched him play as he grew up and even as a kid, he wowed everyone. Seeing him play Hallleujah brings a tear. I know Leonard Cohen would be proud.

This. Is. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your gift of music.

I was drawn to Jake Shimabukuro's performance of "Hallelujiah" from my research about the song and was astonished at the dynamic range and tonality he could extract from what I previously thought was a very limited instrument. Leonard Cohen's songs always start with the lyric, and the melody and chord structure support the lyric. But here the music stands on its own. The artist keeps the melody crystal clear and underneath plays the foundation chords that drive the melody to great heights and terrible depths. This is true to the song's theme: love will beat you down but it is part of something much greater and we must give thanks to whomever or whatever gave us life. A virtuoso performance. Excuse me while I listen to it again.

Simply ❤ Beautiful

It is well with my soul, hallelujah! God bless you all.

His facial expressions make it all that much better. Those show us he's really in the music and loves what he's doing.

Jake is fantastic to see live.

Now that I hear this played so beautifully on ukele, it's kind of a shame it was never covered by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.

I had no idea of the talent. Grew up with Don Ho on the uke. This is an unexpected pleasure.

No words needed!

It seems to be crying of the soul in Jeke's ukulele,

I'd luv to see you play this while K.D. Lang sings along. It would be awesome!

Oh my. Simply beautiful.

beautiful

So moving and amazing.

Very beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. I loved it.n

MERAVIGLIOSA PERFORMANCE ❤️

This guys amazing

love it so powerfull

You honour Cohen, Sir.

deeply beautiful

Mahalo ♡

I almost cried

so beautiful

Thank you Jake.

Sublime.

Can't wait for your concert in Idaho Falls!!!

who needs those extra strings anyway!?

Passion. that is why we play............lovely!

beautiful!

So beautiful...

Simply amazing

Sem chance !!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UM beijo do BRASIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! I LOVE this song! WONDERFUL!

Fantastic.

I never thought ukelele would make me cry.

I hope you return to Fresno!

Who would dislike this

True artist! If you dislike this, say why!

Magical...beautiful thanks for sharing your amazing talent. I am a beginner, listening and watching your emotion, well, it encourages me to keep learning.

Reinventing. 🎈

For when I return 1:50

this made me cry :) hehe

👍👍👍👍👍Praise the Lord 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Estuvo hermozo

Love this!

Superbe !

Kudos, Thanks!

amazing !!!!

wow!!!

I think I just fell in love

Awesomeness

Great.

brah, u da man, skill off da wyde☺

Bravo!

I would love to see him play with a flamenco artist

My interpretation of this song ...everytime i hear it.. I imagine this is Yeshua Hamashiach clap back reply to the enemy when he comes to accused one of HaShem redeemed! The enemy was the head of music in Heaven before he got full of himself and kicked out Heaven ... so Halleluyah begin the highest praise because it also has Heavenly Father's YaH in it and the part of I imagine Yeshua saying.. "I heard my servant playing a cord that pleases me but you(evil one accuser of the redeemed) You don't care for Music do you) ! CHECK MATE Yeshua Hamashiach wins and takes the whole board!.. showing His 👋🏾 and the wounds punishment we deserved ! He who knew no sin lived then laid down His life crucified was buried and went to hades to preach the message of the food news to all that died before Him redeemed them and then on the 3day rose from death appeared to many ascended into Heaven seated at the right hand of HaShem in Heaven praying for us as our High Priest and will return soon as King of kings and Lord of lords set us free finally from sin and the last enemy death! HALLELUYAH

this kid is awesome. it's great to see someone is right on the mark bitchin good.

my wife is amazing.

Amen to that ! Thea Tingstead 😘

I used to think a uke was a toy. Not any more. At least not in this guy's hands. Wow.

Has anyone ever seen sheet music for this? So beautiful

Precioso

I've never seen anyone that can play an ukulele like that

What kind of Ukulele is he using? Is it a Tenor or already a Bariton. It sounds like a Tenor but looks like a Bariton.

Wow

He is so awesome. But I gotta say... try listening on 2x speed. Much better tempo in my opinion. awesome video.

had me at the first chord