Jack Johnson was born in Hawaii in 1975. He started playing the guitar at 14, but was more interested in surfing than music until his college years at the University of California. He was a professional surfer after graduating, but turned to writing songs and playing guitar while recovering from a serious surfing accident.
He released his debut album "Bushfire Fairytales" in 2001, mixing folk and blues influences with an ear for calm acoustic pop music, earned him commercial success and a dedicated following. He followed up with the equally mellow "On and On" in 2003.
He created his own record label in 2005 for his third studio album In Between Dreams. This album was the one to bring him to international attention, nearly hitting the top spot in the US charts. Jack was nominated for two Brit Awards in the UK- International Male Solo Artist and International Breakthrough Act, which he won.
In 2005, he also appeared on the Black Eyed Peas' album "Monkey Business" on the track "Gone Going".
His latest album, "Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George" (2006), is a soundtrack album for the animated film. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, making it the first animated film soundtrack to do so in over ten years.