Joe Jencks is an international touring performer and award-winning songwriter. His career is based as much in ministering to the human spirit as it is in the performance of music. "A Joe Jencks concert is definitely not a visit to the inner world of some guy with a guitar who would like us all to sit still and listen politely. It's an occasion for singing, a contagious rising up of voices, an act of joy and defiance! ...Tapping into the latent, nearly mystical beauty that a roomful of people can unleash by singing together." -Seattle Folklore Society Joe has earned wide recognition for his songs about working people, and for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Joe weaves a diverse web of stories with brilliant musical skill, ensnaring even the most rigid of hearts, inviting them to open. Whether performing at a union conference or folk festival, or at an intimate club or house concert, Joe manages to make any audience feel welcomed, valued, and part of a community. Joe's life-long interest in folk music led him to undergraduate and graduate studies in Vocal Music Performance, Choral Conducting, and Music Education. Like any good craftsman Joe applies the skills of this well-rounded training, using his lush and lyrical voice to enchant, heal, and inspire to action. Joe has won numerous songwriting awards for his original work, and has an ability to connect genuinely and intimately with audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds. "He has a remarkable tenor voice that's capable of great strength and sweetness in the same moment, much as was Phil Ochs' voice. His guitar is always a dead-on accompaniment to his songs' intentions." -Bill Fischer, Victory Music Review Joe is a dual US/Irish citizen living in the US, and merges traditions from both countries in his eclectic and vibrant musical presentation. Joe has had the unique pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous folk artists including Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, Holly Near, John McCutcheon, Pat Humphries, and Bill Staines. Joe Jencks' newest CD Rise As One: A Live Solidarity Concert (2005) is a musical retrospective on the labor movement. Ron Olesko (WFDU -FM Teaneck, NJ) commented on Joe's 2003 release I Hear Your Voice, saying, "This is not a collection of naval-gazing tunes from your average singer-songwriter, these are inspiring songs!" Joe's earlier CD, What Kind of Brother, (2000) received national acclaim for its powerful songwriting and passionate singing. Joe's song, Auto Mechanically Declined is used from time to time on the legendary National Public Radio show: Car Talk! It was selected to be on a Car Talk: Car Tunes compilation CD, currently in circulation. Joe's CDs are available through the Seattle-based record label, Turtle Bear Music. Joe Jencks serves on the executive board of A.F.M. Local 1000: North American Traveling Musicians Union. He is also a member of the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance. Discography Rise As One -Live Concert CD Folk/Labor History 2005 Turtle Bear Music The Wonder Deep Within CD Folk/Spiritual 2004 Turtle Bear Music I Hear Your Voice CD Folk/Social Justice 2003 Turtle Bear Music What Kind Of Brother CD Folk/Traditional 2000 Turtle Bear Music Joe Jencks- E.P. CD Folk/Traditional 2000 Turtle Bear Music The Phoenix CD & Tape Folk/Folk-Rock 1995 Turtle Bear Music Joe has also appeared on numerous CD Compilations including National Public Radio's "Car Talk: Born Not To Run." Contests 2005 - Songwriting Contest Winner - Plowshares Songwriting Competition - Phoenixville, PA 2005 - Songwriting Contest Winner - South Florida Folk Festival, Margate, FL 2004 - Songwriting Contest Winner In Two Categories - Walnut Valley Music Festival, Winfield, KS 2004 and 2003 - Songwriting Contest Winner - Tumbleweed Music Festival, Richland, WA Quotes "In these times, we need the singers who will do the homework and tell the stories! Joe Jencks is among the fine next generation singers who are ready to carry on the tradition as well as look into the future." -Holly Near, Ukiah, CA "The key to the future is people joining in. The music of Joe Jencks captures this essential spirit. Joe is a fantastic singer who carries on the traditions." -Pete Seeger "Listen to Joe! A clear tenor voice; a heart that's in the right place, close to the skin; a sense of justice tempered by a sense of humor; and a CD that captures it all in rich tasty arrangements. How can you go wrong?" -Charlie King, Songwriter and Performer, Shelburne Falls, MA "The next time someone says that folk music has lost its conscience, lacks great protest songs, or has lost its connection with its causes, I will sit them down and play Joe Jencks' CD, I Hear Your Voice. Jencks sings with a superb tenor voice, and picks flashy guitar... that doesn't obscure the beauty of his voice or the words of his well-crafted songs." -Sing Out! Magazine, Rich Warren -Host of 'The Midnight Special' WFMT-FM Chicago, IL 'Joe Jencks is the type of musician that will cause you to drop that morning newspaper or pull your car to the side of the road when you hear his songs. He is the type of artist that will turn heads in his direction when he walks onto a stage. His voice will instantly draw you into his passionate songs. He is the type of musician whose music will become part of you. His craft and artistry will remind you of the best efforts of Phil Ochs, Stan Rogers, and Woody Guthrie. The troubadour tradition is alive and well in the 21st century with the music of Joe Jencks." -Ron Olesko, WFDU-FM Teaneck, NJ "What a warrior..." -Bob Franke, Songwriter and Performer, Peabody, MA "I find that Joe embodies the spirit of Pete Seeger. In much the same way, Joe has his finger on the pulse of our grassroots social conscience, and passes it on for us to scrutinize. Every generation needs a voice for social justice and Joe Jencks is one of those very important voices." -Judy Matzen, Off the Square Concerts, Woodstock, IL "Joe Jencks is one of the Northwest's best-not-kept secrets; a singer-songwriter with a warm, smooth, powerful voice, and memorable finely crafted songs that have something to say. He moves freely between the worlds of contemporary acoustic pop and traditional folk, alternating and combining them into a rich and satisfying musical mosaic!" -Richard Middleton, Victory Music Review, Seattle WA Sharing The Stage With: Pete Seeger Holly Near John McCutcheon Utah Phillips Peter & Bethany Yarrow Rod MacDonald Bill Staines Pat Humphries David Roth Willie Porter Tret Fure Steve Seskin Kim & Reggie Harris Joe Crookston Pat Wictor Rebel Voices Tao Rodriguez Justin Roth Kym Tuvim Wishing Chair Reggie Garrett Joe Glazer Brad Warren Mark Spittal Charlie King Anne Feeney Chris Chandler Dave Nachmanoff Contact & Bookings Turtle Bear Music Toll-Free (877) 485-2479 8314 Greenwood Ave. N. PMB-215, Seattle, WA 98103 www.joejencks.com contact@joejencks.com