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BELLOWS FALLS — Joe Jencks, a veteran, international, touring performer, songwriter, entertainer and educator, based in Chicago, will be performing a Stone Church Arts concert, at 7:30 pm, Friday, May 11. He performed at the stone church on the hill with the well-known trio, Brother Sun in May 2017, and now he is back for a solo performance in the Chapel at Immanuel Episcopal Church, 20 Church St., in Bellows Falls.
Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Having penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks is also co-founder of the harmony trio, Brother Sun. From Festivals like Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Mariposa, and Old Songs, to venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Jencks has enthralled diverse audiences with his approachable style. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel.
Joe’s newest Solo CD – Poets, Philosophers, Workers, & Wanderers – was released May 1st, 2017 – to critical acclaim. The CD has spent several weeks at #1 on Sirius XM’s Americana Chart, and was also the #1 CD on the Folk DJ Chart for May, 2017 – with 4 songs in the top 10.
Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers chases new musical horizons for Joe Jencks. Honoring his mentor and friend Pete Seeger with the title track, this collection of songs progresses into a wide range of human experience from love and triumph, to tragedy and transformation. With arrangements that showcase sparse acoustic textures alongside Copeland-like orchestral tapestries, this recording reflects the depth of Joe’s musical knowledge as well as the diversity of his influences. Cinematic in its imagery and scope Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers features largely original songs influenced by Celtic, Blues, Jazz and traditional American Folk styles, interspersed with a handful of carefully chosen covers. Guest artists include: Ysaye Barnwell (Sweet Honey In The Rock), Cathy Fink, Harpeth Rising, Tret Fure, Reggie Harris, Edie Carey, Jon Carroll, Grace Jencks, and more.
“Beyond the fine selection of songs and the talented team assembled in the studio, what really shines through on Joe Jencks’ new album are his resonant, honey-rich voice, his open-hearted humanity, and his commitment to social justice. We need artists who inspire our better selves more than ever, don’t we?” (John Platt , Sunday Supper, WFUV, Bronx, NY)
“Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers -is absolutely Joe Jencks’ finest effort thus far. Jencks’ captivating tenor voice, lofted by flawless production, demonstrates music of conscience and provides a feast for the ear as well as nourishment for the soul.” (Rich Warren, The Midnight Special – WFMT, Chicago, IL)
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