Biography
Many across Australia have grown up listening to the songs of multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and songwriter, Mike Jackson. His recordings can be found in countless households across country, as he is renowned for his unique spin on traditional children’s songs and nursery rhymes.
Jackson boasts an incredible catalogue of 28 albums, including Dr. Knickerbocker, Afloat In A Boat, Rufty Tufty, The Loaded Dog, The Old Bark School and Waltzing Matilda, amongst others. His album Playmates reached Platinum, and Bunyips Bunnies & Brumbies, Dances For Little Kids, Ain’t It Great To Be Crazy, all went Gold.
Alongside his songwriting, Jackson also runs workshops and shows, which feature a number of unusual instruments (hammered dulcimer, melodeon, concertina, just to name a few!), well-known songs and toe-tapping tunes from various cultures to encourage everyone to be an integral part of the performance. His audience ranges from children to adults at festivals, arts venues, schools, preschools, kindergartens and more.
Jackson has played at a number of festivals across Australia including Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Fairbridge Folk Festival, Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Sydney International Children’s Festival, Fun 4 Kids Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival. He has also toured around the globe, performing for fans in Canada, USA, the UK and New Zealand.
Jackson has also produced a number of exciting music books for the ukulele, including Rig-A-Jig-Jig, Campfire Songbook, Bush Dance, Social Dance, Uke N Play Ukelele, and more. His stardom in the world of children’s music was augmented by his appearance in ABC for Kids video recordings like Mr Squiggle and Bunyip’s Billabong, and films Crackers and Moby Dick – Shantyman.