HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
UNCLE JUMBO
From Houston, Texas
Grammy-nominee Uncle Jumbo layers heartfelt lyrics and messages of positivity that inspire young minds to dream big and chase their passions. His family concerts and student matinee performances include hits from his Taste the Sky and Garden Groove albums, with uplifting songs and dance-alongs that focus on joy, connection, kindness and wellbeing.
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Uncle Jumbo has released 4 albums with "Taste The Sky" being GRAMMY nominated for 2024 Best Children's Music album. His upcoming new album "Holly Holly Hey! It's Christmas!" and new live performance offering will feature imaginative, upbeat original songs that encourage young people and families to tap into the spirit of togetherness. Premiering in December 2024!
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Uncle Jumbo tours with a flexible technical footprint and can perform indoors, from large theatres at Performing Arts Centers to libraries and community spaces, as well as outdoors or at festivals. Available as a solo artist or with larger ensemble arrangement.
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"Imagine that somewhere in the untapped treasures of the late Prince's legendary vault of music is an album made for kids...That's what Uncle Jumbo sounds like." - Houston Press
Resources
About the Company
Best for Families, All Ages
Student Matinees: Grades PreK -3rd
Audience Size: Small to Large Venues
Uncle Jumbo - Live Performance trailer
"Sights, Sounds, & Feelings" - a short documentary on Uncle Jumbo
Pease contact us to see an archival full length recording of their live performance.
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To listen to their music, please check out:
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Performance, Music & Composition, Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop
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Science: Gardens, Bugs, Trees, How things grow
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Emotional/Social Development: Self Awareness, Self Management, Identifying Emotions, Empathy, Courage, Curiosity, Respect for Others, Perspective-Taking, Relationship Skills, Social Engagement, Relationship-building, Family, Teamwork
Show Descriptions
Family Concerts:
Uncle Jumbo's performances include upbeat songs and dance-alongs that focus on joy, kindness and wellbeing. With a wide range of both bouncy energetic rhythms and big vocals and also calming, soft songs, Uncle Jumbo spreads love and makes everyone feel connected.​
Uncle Jumbo's Christmas Jam: Holiday Family Concert
Dance and sing along on Uncle Jumbo’s magical musical sleigh ride. Play a game of Rudolph Says, cheer on as Pickle the Penguin finds her wings, and learn a monster truck's Christmas wish. Modern grooves with sweet melodies and messages of togetherness & joy fill the air in this holiday pep rally for the soul. Based on the new album "Holly Holly Hey! It's Christmas!" Premiering in December 2024.
Student matinee performances:
Good for preK-3rd grades, with Uncle Jumbo's favorite hit songs from Taste the Sky and Garden Grooves, as well as additional themes and topics, such as: self-empowerment, positive messages, and joy.​
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Outreach and Workshops
With advance notice, the company is able to offer music based workshops in your venue for students or families. Please contact us if this is something you’d like to explore.
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Their performances are available as a “sensory friendly” or “relaxed” performances if arranged with the company in advance and with specific direction as to what adjustments are necessary for your venue.
Minimum Technical Requirements
For Solo Shows:
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Load In Time: 1 hour
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Crew Needs: 1 Sound Engineer/Audio Tech
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Min. Stage Size: 10x10
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Sound: overheard mics, monitors, PA system
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Projector/Video Screen for visuals
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Load Out Time: 30 mins
For Trio Arrangement:
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Load In Time: 90 minutes
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Crew Needs: 1 Sound Engineer/Audio Tech
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Min Stage Size: 20 x 20
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Sound: 2 overhead mics, kick drum mic, PA system, 4 wedge monitors
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Projector/Video Screen for visuals
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Load Out Time: 1 hour
Critical Acclaim
Awards
2024 – Taste the Sky, GRAMMY nominee for Best Children’s Album
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Press & Presenter Feedback
"Imagine that somewhere in the untapped treasures of the late Prince's legendary
vault of music is an album made for kids...That's what Uncle Jumbo sounds like."
- Houston Press
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“Uncle Jumbo’s show uniquely balances education, inspiration, and exhilaration. Even our youngest audience members were enthusiastic throughout the entire concert as Uncle Jumble took them on a joyous journey of connection and self-discovery. What’s more, Uncle Jumbo contacted our staff prior to his trip to make sure his show connected with our specific community and space. He was truly a pleasure to work with.” - Amy Russell, Manager, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Company Background
Uncle Jumbo is a Texas born son of a Disco and Reggae DJ, who got his start as a four year old playing accordion with touring Zydeco bands on the front porch of his Aunt Helen’s house in Louisiana. After spending years blending the grooves of Hip Hop and Soul, new inspiration struck deeply when he heard the first rhythm of his daughter’s heartbeat.
Soon after, Jumbo and family held tightly to music as a way of bringing hope and healing to their home, when his daughter was diagnosed with a rare liver disease at birth. This led to the evolution of Jumbo turning his musical focus into creating heartfelt, uniting and jammin’ music for children everywhere, in an effort to help raise generations of positive, loving people.
Performances are available as a solo artist or a larger ensemble with 2 additional back up singers/dancers.
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Uncle Jumbo has performed in places and at venues such as:
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Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
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ACL Live Fest (Austin, TX)
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Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
Albums
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Holly Holly Hey! It's Christmas! (December 2024 release)
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Taste The Sky (2024) - GRAMMY nominee for Best Children’s Album
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Garden Groove (2019)
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Body Movin’ (2019)
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Nite Nite (2019)
To listen to Uncle Jumbo’s music, please check out:
