Jack Forman is the bassist frontman for the Seattle-based kids' band, Recess Monkey,[1] a solo musician for kids and family audiences,[2] a former on-air host on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's Kids Place Live, channel 134;[3] and an author published on Compendium Inc.[4] Forman has produced sixteen albums for family audiences, earning a GRAMMY Nomination[5] in the "Best Children's Album" category in the 59th Annual Grammy Awards for Recess Monkey's 2016 release Novelties.[6] He and Recess Monkey bandmate Drew Holloway wrote a book for Compendium Publishing.
Jack Forman | |
|---|---|
 Jack Forman, Office Hours | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seattle, WA |
| Genres | Children's Music |
| Occupation(s) | On Air Host on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live; Bassist frontman for Recess Monkey; Solo family musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, Voice, Keyboards |
| Website | http://www.jackformanmusic.com |
History edit
Forman attended The University of Washington in Seattle, where he studied English with a Creative Writing emphasis.[7] His work with children began in 1996 at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, CA where he served as a cabin counselor, specialist and unit head for four summers. Immediately after graduating college he began teaching full-time at Seattle's University Child Development School[8] in various elementary and pre-school levels. It was there that Forman met Drew Holloway and Daron Henry, founding members of Recess Monkey,[9] and began playing music for kids and family audiences beginning in 2005.[10]
Discography edit
As solo artist edit
- Songs From the Monkey House (2017)[2]
- Office Hours (2019)[11]
- Hold the Phone (2020)[12]
- Can’t Buy a Thrill Ride (2021)
With Recess Monkey edit
- Welcome to Monkey Town (2005)
- Animal House (2006)
- Wonderstuff (2007)[13]
- Tabby Road (2008)[14]
- Field Trip (2009)[15]
- The Final Funkier (2010)[16]
- Flying (2011)[17]
- In Tents (2012)[8]
- Deep Sea Diver (2013)[18]
- Desert Island Disc (2013)[19]
- Wired (2014)[20]
- Hot Air (2015)[21]
- Novelties (2016)[22]
- Family Photo Album (2018)[23]
Awards and acknowledgements edit
Songs From the Monkey House won a 2017 NAPPA Award for its "witty" songs: "Taking a recess from his Grammy-nominated band Recess Monkey, Jack Forman has concocted a super fun solo album."[2] The album was also named the #10 album for families in 2017 by the Fids and Kamily Awards.[24]
Forman is also a GRAMMY-Nominated musician: Recess Monkey's 2016 family album "Novelties" was nominated for "Best Children's Album" in the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.[5][6]
"Live From the Monkey House," SiriusXM's Kids Place Live, Channel 134 edit
Forman began hosting his afternoon/evening live call-in show "Live From the Monkey House"[25] on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's Kids Place Live (Channel 134)[26] in January 2013.[27] Jack broadcast from his home studio in Seattle via a dedicated line connected to SiriusXM's Washington DC studios. The show had daily themes that vary based on current events, listener-fueled ideas and game show style games. Forman was live for three hours Monday-Thursday, 5pm-8pm ET, 2pm-5pm PT; and presented "This Week in the Monkey House," a replay show of highlights from the week, on Saturdays at 7am PT, 10am ET for four hours.[28] The show’s final episode aired February 12, 2024. On February 28, 2024, Forman released the first episode of a new podcast, "Jack Forman's Monkey House" on Patreon.
Published works edit
Forman and Recess Monkey bandmate Drew Holloway wrote an interactive picture book for family audiences, illustrated by Rob McClurkan, entitled Dive In: A Topsy-Turvy-Say-It-Out-Loud Underwater Adventure in 2016.[4]
References edit
- ^ "Musician Jack Forman's cool job".
- ^ a b c "Songs from the Monkey House by Jack Forman CD".
- ^ "Interview with Jack Forman, the leader of the band 'Recess Monkey'".
- ^ a b "Kirkus Review".
- ^ a b "Jack Forman".
- ^ a b "Recess Monkey".
- ^ "An Interview with Jack Forman".
- ^ a b Knox, Kelly. "STEP RIGHT UP TO RECESS MONKEY'S IN TENTS". Wired.
- ^ "Monkeying around". 28 October 2008.
- ^ "Teachers enrolled in school of rock".
- ^ "Kids' Music Not Regular Office Hours for Jack Forman". 14 February 2019.
- ^ Cohen, Jeffrey (June 3, 2020). "Jack Forman Refuses to Phone It In". Geek Dad.
- ^ "The Year in Music for Kids". NPR.
- ^ "Review: Tabby Road - Recess Monkey". 15 July 2008.
- ^ "Review: Field Trip - Recess Monkey". 21 June 2009.
- ^ "Recess Monkey – The Final Funkier CD Review". 17 June 2010.
- ^ "A Parent's Review: 'Flying' CD from Recess Monkey". 14 June 2011.
- ^ "Review: Recess Monkey – Deep Sea Diver". 7 October 2013.
- ^ "Review: Desert Island Disc - Recess Monkey". 28 October 2013.
- ^ "A parent's review: Recess Monkey's Wired". 16 June 2014.
- ^ "Review: Hot Air - Recess Monkey". 8 July 2015.
- ^ "We All Scream for Recess Monkey's New Release "Novelties"". 16 June 2016.
- ^ Family Photo Album. OCLC 1048602666.
- ^ "The Best Kids and Family Music of 2017: 12th Annual Fids and Kamily Music Award Winners". 19 October 2017.
- ^ "Kids Place Live". 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Jack Forman".
- ^ "Interview: Jack Forman (Recess Monkey / Kids Place Live)". 7 March 2013.
- ^ "Recess Monkey - This kids band is full of "Hot Air"". USA Today.