At 21 years of age, Brittni Paiva (pie –VAH) is already the preeminent female ukulele player from Hawaii. She's an award-winning multi-instrumentalist whose sound and concept are influenced by jazz, rock, flamenco, and classical music as well as world music from Brazil, Japan, and elsewhere.

Brittni’s new CD, Four Strings: The Fire Within (Talmidim Productions), was co-produced by Charles Michael Brotman, Hawaii’s first Grammy Award recipient. Some of the highlights include guitarist Johannes Linstead’s feature on “Hour of the Lamps”; the timeless and universally popular “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (lately identified with the late great Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, but the sound is unmistakably Brittni’s); and Carlos Santana’s classic “Europa”. The rest of the album consists of cover tunes and originals that display Brittni’s technique and passion.

Brittni and her ukulele are a brilliant match: Both are humble in nature, small in size, and very powerful with proper delivery. Brittni and the `ukulele in general have gained notoriety in a variety of circles, no longer confined by stereotypes about the instrument. There’s a global resurgence in the instrument’s popularity and she is part of the trend.

Ukulele, guitar, electric bass, piano and drums are Brittni’s instruments of choice, yet when it comes to the ukulele she invests as much soulfulness as skill. “Brittni brings a whole new spirit to the music and to the instrument: pop sensibilities in a smooth jazz format,” says John Schroeter, music producer and author of Between the Strings: The Secret Lives of Guitars. “It’s got a new kind of energy—it’s infectious.”