Uke Jackson, a playwright and musician, was born Stephen DiLauro. A musical epiphany at the turn of the millennium led to his adopting the new moniker. Previously, his plays were produced in different theaters in downtown Manhattan, including "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 Street Theater unit. He also works as an un-credited script doctor on movies.

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 . He was a long time consultant on the arts for the United States Information Agency's Visitors Program. During the 1980s he was a driving force behind several jazz operas that were presented in Manhattan, Rome, Sardinia, and Dakar.

His River Tales project began as a public radio presentation of his storytelling and music, in 1995. It is now available as Tall Tales from the Watershed thru the Delaware Riverkeeper Network www.delawareriverkeeper.org and will soon be available on iTunes and CDBaby.com. This project, geared for families with small children, won a Parents Choice Award and led to the American Library Association naming him one of the Top 10 recording artists in the country. Also as Uke Jackson, he is the author of the book and lyrics for the musical comedy Sex! Drugs! & Ukuleles! www.sexdrugsandukuleles.com which is bound for Broadway. He founded the New York Ukulele Ensemble www.nyukes.com and wrote many of the songs for their first album Ukulele Street.
He also founded NY Uke Fest www.nyukefest.com , a celebration of ukulele music. He hosted the popular Flaming Ukulele Radio Hour on public radio from 2001 - 2006. He divides his time between Manhattan and a home in Delaware Water Gap, PA.