Bill Tapia

Uncle Bill “Tappy” Tapia (born January 1, 1908 – December 2, 2011) was an American musician, born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents were Portuguese. At age 10, Tapia already had been a professional musician, playing “Stars and Stripes Forever” for World War I soldiers in Hawaii. 

His long career started in Vaudeville and soon after he became a jazz guitarist and ukulele player. He has worked with big names such as Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Elvis Presley and also worked with Hawaiian musicians such as King Bennie Nawahi, Sol Ho‘opi’i and Andy Iona. People think that Tapia is the first musician to play jazz on the ukulele.

Other websites

Interview with Uncle Bill Tapia - Part I 
Interview with Uncle Bill Tapia - Part II 
Uncle Bill Tapia Official Home Page
Podcast interview featuring Uncle Bill's live music and life story. 

Category:1908 births
Category:2011 deaths
Category:American centenarians
Category:American guitarists
Category:American jazz musicians
Category:Musicians from Hawaii
Category:Vaudeville performers
Category:People from Honolulu