Conductor Jack

A master musician and innovative educator, Conductor Jack (Jack Norton) combines poetry, folk music, vaudevillian comedy, and musicology in his enrapturing shows for children and families. Mr. Norton has devoted his career to entertaining preschool and elementary age children around the world. His artistry is found in his simplicity and, in a time of fast-paced entertainment, Conductor Jack's zen-like hold on his audience is as complex as it is breathtaking. He was born in Minneapolis to a family of street musicians and poets.

A master musician and innovative educator, Conductor Jack (Jack Norton) combines poetry, folk music, vaudevillian comedy, and musicology in his enrapturing shows for children and families.

Mr. Norton has devoted his career to entertaining preschool and elementary age children around the world. His artistry is found in his simplicity and, in a time of fast-paced entertainment, Conductor Jack's zen-like hold on his audience is as complex as it is breathtaking.

He was born in Minneapolis to a family of street musicians and poets. Mr. Norton’s grandfather was a vaudevillian on Broadway in the 1920s and his great grandfather was a British music hall star during the late 1890s. By age ten, Mr. Norton had already befriended Tiny Tim and eccentric bluesman Leon Redbone. At 13, his first poetic work was published by Random House, and legendary beat author Hubert Selby, Jr. sang of his praises. Novelist Nick Tosches hailed Mr. Norton as "my hope for the future of America." (from Country Music: the Twisted Roots of Rock & Roll, DeCapo Press).

By the time he attended the prestigious Center for Performing Arts High School, Mr. Norton was a published poet, musicologist, professional musician, and eclectic clown dabbling in the Commedia dell'arte theater heritage of his Italian and French ancestors. While still in high school, he formed his own vaudeville circus and began touring the U.S. and Europe. After briefly relocating to Mexico City, he returned to America armed with notebooks full of poems and folk songs. One of the youngest songwriters ever signed to Sony BMG Publishing, he toured North America performing at major fairs, festivals and theaters. He has appeared on tour with Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard, among others.

Mr. Norton is the only artist in the history of BBC Radio 1 to have an album played in its entirety by legendary English disc jockey John Peel, contributing to his overwhelming success in the UK and Europe.

While on tour in Australia, Mr. Norton had an artistic epiphany. After watching a performance by children's supergroup, the Wiggles, he realized that all elements of his art could be presented in harmony ? his poetry, folk music, vaudevillian comedy, musicology ? if exclusively offered to children.

Mr. Norton immediately enrolled in college and earned his early childhood education degree. Studying child psychology and brain development by day and researching the origins of theater and performance art by night, Norton fused both elements together into a stage show.

He is the only children's musician to be asked to represent the U.S. as part of the Secretary of Arts & Culture's Summit held in Dubai. He has been called, "a brilliant children's songwriter" by the Washington Post and his performances for children have been called, "mesmerizing and captivating" by the New York Times.

He has been described as "Mr. Rogers meets Leonard Cohen" by the Sunday Times (London). He has been a headline performer at the Festival International de Musique in Paris, France and performed at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

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12/4/10: Target Family Night: Conductor Jack and The Zinghoppers

Voted Nashville’s No. 1 Kids Entertainers by Parent Magazine in 2009 and 2010, the group creates positive pop music for kids and their families.

Target Family Night: Conductor Jack and The Zinghoppers

Voted Nashville’s No. 1 Kids Entertainers by Parent Magazine in 2009 and 2010, the group creates positive pop music for kids and their families.

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Conductor Jack

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