He’s got the swish black hairdoo, he’s got the (clove) cigarette dangling from his lips, he’s got the step, he’s got the sway. His name is Elvis, but he’s not from Memphis. It’s Elvis Sutarman and he’s a ukelele master from Solo, Central Java who’s got mad love for the original King of Rock n’ Roll. We spoke to the Indo Elvis in his room, which also doubles as a Presley “shrine” with memorabilia and pictures decorating the shelves and walls, while in the background the familiar chords of “Blue Suede Shoes” played out. “I still remember playing down at Sante Fe back in 1997 when it was way smaller than it is now,” he says of his experience as player in a top-40 cover band there. He was also a member of the Tropical Transit band until he went solo as a wedding singer/ukelele player. “Some people asked me to sing at weddings because I could jam on Hawaiian wedding songs as well as do “Can’t Help Fallin’ in Love.”

A rennaisance man of sorts, Elvis is also a percussionist, Djembe drum maker, batik painter, and ukelele fabricator. One unique aspect of Elvis’ ukeleles is the fact that they use only 3 strings vs. the standard 4. This is because it is an indigenous Indonesian version which is usually played in the middle of a Keroncong Orchestra (common with Indonesian folk music from the 50’s and 60’s). “It takes about 2 weeks to make a good ukelele from Jackfruit wood,” he says, and then follows up with a story of English tourist whom he was illuminating on the finer points of ukelele strumming, who then wanted to purchase one of Elvis’ own creations. Unfortunately, the instrument was already spoken for by another fan who had ordered one. “People can order a ukelele from me, which I will personallly make by hand. The customer also gets a free lesson using their favorite song.”

Next time you’re at Blue Ocean Beach, look out for Elvis and ask him to play you an Elvis (Presley) tune. He’ll gladly oblige. He’s not too hard to miss at sunset in his sleeveless shirt, ukelele in one hand, beer in the other. “Why wouldn’t you know, It’s that swinging little guitar man” (“Guitar Man” by Elvis Presley). ++