Jack Johnson’s infectious soft pop rock has made him one of the most popular artists around today, and he’s just completed a new album, 2010’s To The Sea. It’s already spawned the hit song “You and Your Heart”, and now you can catch him live on tour. Of course you can expect to hear some great music, but as usual, Johnson is using his music to give back. All of his profits from the tour will be donated to the All At Once Community campaign. If you want to see Jack Johnson live, then now’s the time to get your tickets!
Jack Johnson is a man that seems to have natural talent for anything he puts his hand to. Growing up in Hawaii, he turned to surfing at a young age, a sport for which he had great skill and love. Throughout his childhood and teen years, music played a vital role in his life, but surfing was his focus. He became an international surfing champion, sponsored by Quicksilver, and went on to ride in the Master Tournament, the world cup of surfing. At the peak of his surfing career he suffered a near fatal wipe-out which put his athletic career on the sidelines. Even at this critical turning point in his life, Johnson did not turn to music. He decided to pursue a filmmaking career. He graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a film degree and soon started touring the world and filming surfers. During his college years, while filmmaking had become his goal, he wrote songs on the side.
A friend and recording artist, Garret Dutton III of G Love & Special Sauce, heard Johnson's songs and helped him record his original song 'Rodeo Clowns'. Nothing became of the single right away, as Johnson was still focused on film.
He released two successful surfing documentaries. The 1999 release Thicker Than Water, which he produced with friends Chris and Emmet Malloy, was greeted well by film critics, and Johnson seemed well on his way to a successful filmmaking career.
His follow-up film, The September Sessions, took the Adobe Highlight Award at the ESPN Film Fest in 2000. After so much success with his first two films, it was a surprise to friends when Johnson turned away from cinema and started pursuing his music. He produced a four-track demo that caught the ear of Ben Harper's producer, J.P. Plunier, who soon worked with Johnson on his 2001 debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. Harper made a guest appearance on the album.
Finally it seemed as if Johnson had found his forte. Using the influences of his childhood favorites like Nick Drake, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, Johnson's music was a unique blend of folk, rock, and funk. Fans were drawn to the daring style of the young artist. He brought the aloha spirit of his Hawaiian roots to his music, giving the tracks an uplifting feeling without becoming trivial.
His much-anticipated second album, On and On, was produced by Mario Caldato Jr. and recorded in Johnson's native Hawaii in 2003. He was accompanied on both of his albums by Adam Topol on percussion and Merlo Podlewski on bass. Johnson plays all of his own guitar, as well as providing main vocals for all of the tracks.
To promote his newest album and connect with some of the fans in his growing fan club, Johnson began touring in 2003 with his idol and now friend, Ben Harper. Their sounds compliment each other well, and Johnson learned a lot while touring with the music veteran. Johnson brings youth and spunk to the live shows without cheapening the mellow melodies and rhythms of his music. Favorites from his albums, like 'Flake' and 'Bubbletoes,' were featured in concerts, as well as many other original songs. Tickets went fast as the duo toured venues across the United States. Johnson's contemporary blend of classic sounds and new beats draws audiences from far and wide.
