Joe Jencks
Joe Jencks is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. A 25-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, Jencks has released 15 CDs in that time. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. 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 most recent solo CD - The Coming of the Years - released August 1 2022 - is an album centered around songs Joe Jencks wrote while on tour in Ireland over a 12-year period. This album emerges as a synergistic blend of Jencks' Irish and Celtic heritage with themes of immigration spanning multiple generations. As a dual U.S./Irish citizen, Jencks has been swimming in these waters musically and personally for decades. The Coming of the Years is a deep musical exploration of identity and place, carried forward by beautiful melodies, expressive vocals and rich lyric narrative.
"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
"If one can master a craft after investing 10,000 hours, Joe Jencks' hours are showing! I am literally stunned by this new album. Poets, Philosopher, Workers & Wanders tells our stories, his story, and the untold stories, as an American folk master can - with heart and unfettered perfection. Add this one to the folk canon! "
-- MarySue Twohy, SIRIUS XM Radio - The Village / The Bridge
"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
"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
Carol Crittenden
Singer-Songwriter, Carol Crittenden, has been known to "light up the stage" with her sweet soaring vocals and thoughtful, melodic tunes. She weaves her personal experience and perspective into her work, whether in her emotionally intimate or acclaimed social-justice-minded songs. She was selected to perform at the highly regarded NERFA Folk DJ Showcase in 2019 and received accolades for her song, "RISE." She was recently honored to perform at WFUV 90.7FM NYC DJ John Platt's "On Your Radar" at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC.
She has recorded and toured the country as lead singer of Four Celtic Voices, with a #1 CD on the Billboard World Music Chart. Her voice can also be heard on national/regional commercials. An actress as well, she has toured in productions of Dracula and Hamlet with the New Vic Theatre of London and has been seen on stage with various NYC and LA theatre companies.
Some words from people in the know:
"Anthemic" - Greg Torrington, Stingray Music
"A delight! Upbeat songs with a gorgeous voice, sure, but her serious message songs (like the new single "RISE") show her passion for important causes too!" - Joltin Joe Pszonek, bluesandrootsradio.com
"What an amazing songwriter with a voice that melts your heart. She should be on your radar." - Ron Olesko, WFDU-FM's Traditions, Folk Music Notebook
"Awesome, angelic, and worth seeing and hearing!!!" - Jon Stein, Hootenanny Cafe, WTBQ-FM (NY/NJ)
