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Mangrove Jack is still the most sought after Australian band in Nth Queensland. When asked to describe the sounds of Nth Queensland one well known entertainer said "Mangrove Jack". Mangrove Jack has been writing and playing their original music for 20 years and have taken their form of Australian music to all parts of the world. The response to their music and live performances has ensured Mangrove Jack is still a force in the Australian Music Industry.

A CD of their most recent songs has been recently released and has earned accolades from industry associates. Track 5, "Giangurra" has been lifted from the album to be included on a ABC playlist CD "Music of the Far North", while another track, "Gondwanaland" was included on local FM Radio 4ccr CD release "Cairns Compact". Many artists at major festivals in Qld have also performed "Talking On The Phone". The Fureys, from Ireland, and bands in Darwin, Alice and Brisbane have recorded "Old George" a song from an early cassette. It is also performed regularly by local bands in Nth Qld. "Dingo Man", also from an earlier album, is performed by various artists throughout Australia.

Mangrove Jack songs paint pictures of the country, the characters and the unique way of life that is Australia. The style of music that is Mangrove Jack is unique. With a blend of folk, country, rock and world music. 

Proud of their heritage and proud to be Australian, Mangrove Jack show there are no boundaries to the style that can be played on primarily acoustic instruments.

The musicians, who make up the band, are amongst the most respected in the acoustic music genre.

Mick Hodgkins has been writing songs of Australia for years and quite a few have been recorded by other artists (Australian and overseas artists) and are performed regularly by various artists at festivals and functions worldwide. An accomplished guitarist he has developed his own style over the years.

Bronwyn Hodgkins multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. Incorporating a lot of Celtic instruments i.e. whistles, flutes, Bodhran etc. Bronwyn brings the "Irish feel" to the songs and reminds us of our European heritage.

Kirk Steel has been described by Graeme Connors, at a concert in Cairns recently, as the best Accordion Player in Australia. Kirk appears on Graeme Connors, Broderick Smith and Slim Dusty CD’s to name a few. He features heavily on David Hudson CD’s (Aboriginalia) and records with most artists in Nth Qld. Kirk has also toured extensively with all these artists and many more.

Gail Betts plays fretless bass and has recorded with Gudgu Gudgu an Aboriginal band, and toured with them to Japan in 1999.

All members have toured extensively through aboriginal communities in the Nthn Territory and across the top end of Qld. In their first years they toured with Qld Arts Council to outback Qld twice, Nthn Territory Arts Council to remote communities across the top end and centre twice and Vic Arts Council covering the whole state. In 1992 they were selected to represent Australia at World Expo Seville by performing at the official opening of the Australian Pavilion and Anzac day celebrations. Selected also to represent Australian Music at the Australian Trade Expo Seoul, Korea. Currently they are the band of choice to entertain at overseas corporate tours of Australia, where the music must be Australian with a Nth Qld Flavour.

 
Send mail to Mangrove_Jack1@bigpond.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Mick Hodgkins
Last modified: May 18, 2001