Uke Jackson

Uke Jackson (born Stephen DiLauro) is a playwright, novelist, short story writer, producer, blogger, broadcaster, musician and band leader. Follow him on Instagram @UkeJackson

His plays have been produced in different theaters in downtown Manhattan and Off Broadway on

West 42nd Street.. In addition to the musicals "Ukulele Land" and "Cafe Lysistrata" (written as Uke Jackson), his dramatic writing as Stephen DiLauro includes "Monster Time"; "The Secret Warhol Rituals"; and "Avenue Z Afternoon" which he adapted for a GM Mark of Excellence television production. His first play written as an adult, "Dristi Magic" a one act, was staged by the McCarter Theater in Pinceton, NJ. He has two new stage productions in progress - "Dinner with the Devil" and "A Romantic's Coda."

Over the years, he contributed short stories, essays and articles to magazines and newspapers across America, including the Miami Herald Sunday Magazine, NY Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Berkeley Barb, Smithsonian, Travel & Leisure, and others. For many years, his light verse was a frequent feature in the NY Times.

During the 1980s he was dramaturge, librettist, and impresario for several of the Plexus jazz art operas that were presented in Manhattan, Rome, Sardinia, and Dakar.

He founded the NY Uke Fest, as well as the NY Ukulele Ensemble. His popular "Flaming Ukulele Radio Hour" was broadcast on public radio from 2001 thru 2006.

His River Tales project -- a radio storytelling series -- was heard on nearly 200 public radio stations and won a Parents Choice Award, as well as leading to him being named one of the Top 10 recording artists in the country, according to the American Library Association.