:Taimane Gardner

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Taimane Gardner

| image = Taimane Gardner (5703485170).jpg

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| birth_name = Taimane Tauiliili Bobby Gardner

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|13}}

| birth_place = Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.

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| occupation = Musician, composer

| instrument = Ukulele,

Guitar, Vocals

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Taimane Tauiliili Bobby Gardner,{{cite web |last1=Varga |first1=George |title=Tiny G string a key to ukuleles' success? |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-unique-g-string-key-ubiquitous-ukuleles-2012oct03-htmlstory.html |work=U-T San Diego |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=October 3, 2012}} (born February 13, 1989) who often performs under the mononym Taimane, is an American ukulele virtuoso and composer. In 2019, she won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award, for Favorite Entertainer of the Year.{{Cite web |title=Taimane Gardner reflects on Nā Hōkū Hanohano win, her new album and where it all began for her |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/11/11/taimane-gardner-reflects-on-n-hk-hanohano-win-her-new-album-where-it-all-began-her/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.hawaiinewsnow.com |date=November 11, 2019 |language=en}} In 2019, her song "Water", from her album, Elemental, was nominated for Instrumental Composition of the Year by Nā Hoku Hanohano Awards.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-23 |title=Na Hoku Hanohano Awards 2019 Finalists Announced |url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/na-hoku-hanohano-awards-2019-finalists-announced/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Hawaii Magazine |language=en-US}}

Early life

Gardner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Jack and Elva Gardner, and is of Samoan, German, Irish, French, and Swedish descent.{{cite web |last1=Mossman |first1=Bill |title=The Diamond of Waikiki |url=http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/the_diamond_of_waikiki/P1/ |publisher=MidWeek |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=July 14, 2006}}{{cite web |title=TAIMANE GARDNER – UKULELE QUEEN |url=http://www.thecoconet.tv/songbook/islandjams/taimane-gardner-ukulele-queen/ |publisher=The Coconet TV |accessdate=August 2, 2018}} Her name translates to diamond in the Samoan language. Gardner began playing the ukulele at the age of 5 and attended Roy Sakuma’s ukulele school. She was discovered by legendary musician Don Ho at age 13 and also studied under Jake Shimabukuro as a teenager.{{cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Tracy |title=Taimane Gardner's video medley celebrates beach life and surf culture |url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/content/taimane-gardners-video-medley-celebrates-beach-life-and-surf-culture |work=Hawaii Magazine |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=March 7, 2017}} She graduated from the Honolulu Waldorf School before attending Kapiolani Community College.{{cite web |title=Taimane Gardner: Ukulele Virtuoso |url=http://waldorfschool.tv/taimane-gardner-ukulele-virtuoso/ |publisher=Waldorf School TV |accessdate=August 2, 2018}}

Career

Taimane became a popular local musician on the Waikiki performance circuit as a teenager.{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Christina |title=Taimane's Odyssey |url=http://www.metrohnl.com/loco-princess-taimane-gardner/ |publisher=Metro Honolulu |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=March 18, 2016}} In 2005, she released her first album Loco Princess. Her album Life – The Art & Beauty of Being Human was released in 2008.{{cite web |last1=Harada |first1=Wayne |title='Gift of Aloha' returns for the holidays |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Sep/23/il/hawaii809230302.html |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=September 23, 2008}} Other released solo projects include Ukulele Dance in 2012, We Are Made of Stars in 2015, Elemental in 2018 and Hawaiki (2022).{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Pat |title=Taimane Gardner: Reaching for the Stars |url=http://www.ukulelemag.com/stories/taimane-gardner-reaching-for-the-stars |work=Ukulele Magazine |accessdate=August 3, 2018 |date=July 2, 2015}}{{cite web |title=Ukulele artist Taimane previews new 'Elemental' album |url=https://www.khon2.com/living808/ukulele-musician-taimane-is-releasing-her-new-album-on-june-5th/1129278918 |publisher=KHON-TV |accessdate=August 3, 2018 |date=April 18, 2018}}

Taimane has performed internationally in Japan and Hong Kong.{{cite web |last1=Lynam |first1=Robin |title=Ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner thinking big ahead of Hong Kong gig |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/music/article/1873844/ukulele-virtuoso-taimane-gardner-thinking-big-ahead-hong-kong-gig |work=South China Morning Post |accessdate=August 3, 2018 |date=October 30, 2015}} Her album We Are Made of Stars was nominated for Ukulele Album of the Year at the 2016 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.{{cite web |last1=Olwell |first1=Greg |title=Ohta and Tolentino Take Home Ukulele Album of the Year Award |url=http://www.ukulelemag.com/stories/news/ohta-and-tolentino-take-home-best-ukulele-album-award |work=Ukulele Magazine |accessdate=August 3, 2018 |date=May 31, 2016}} Taimane has also been recognized for her cover medley performances, including a spot on the Guitar World Magazine Top 10 Ukulele Moments list.{{Cite news|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/the-top-10-ukulele-moments|title=The Top 10 Ukulele Moments|work=guitarworld|access-date=August 19, 2018}} On March 13, 2020, Taimane performed on NPR's Tiny Desk series.{{cite web |last1=Tanigawa |first1=Noe |title=Finally! Taimane Represents on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/arts-culture/2020-03-06/finally-taimane-represents-on-nprs-tiny-desk-concert |website=Hawai'i Public Radio |access-date=22 January 2025 |language=en |date=6 March 2020}}

Discography

Albums

Loco Princess (2005)
Life – The Art & Beauty of Being Human (2008)
Ukulele Dance (2012)
We Are Made of Stars (2015)
Elemental (2018)
Hawaiki (2022) {{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=ʻUkulele virtuoso Taimane's new album is steeped in her Polynesian roots |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2022-10-11/ukulele-virtuoso-taimanes-new-album-is-steeped-in-her-polynesian-roots |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Hawai'i Public Radio |language=en}}