Joe JencksLabor Music: A Historic and Living Tradition (Monthly Program)

Joe Jencks is a national touring folk musician and award winning songwriter recognized for his contributions to modern labor and social justice music. His performance style is well rooted in the traditions of folk and labor music. He will present a program of music written by and about working people with selections spanning the last 150 years with a particular focus on the labor music of the 20th century. Joe has asked folksinger and social historian Joe Glazer, ?Labor?s Troubador?, to participate as a guest on the evening?s program.Joe earned his national reputation for his songs about working people, and for his unique merging of literate musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Joe weaves a diverse web of stories with brilliant vocal skill, ensnaring even the most rigid of hearts, inviting them to open. Joe Jencks' CD ?I Hear Your Voice,? (2003) continues to be well received nationally as a significant work of modern folk music. ?This is not a collection of naval-gazing tunes from your average singer-songwriter, these are inspiring songs!? -Ron Olesko, WFDU?FM Teaneck, NJ. Sing Out magazine praised Jencks for his ?Songs of poetry and heart!? and referred to him as the ?conscience? of modern folk music.Joe has had the unique pleasure of performing with folk luminaries including Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Utah Phillips, John McCutcheon, Rod MacDonald, Pat Humphries, and Bill Staines. Joe?s life-long interest in folk music led him to undergraduate and graduate studies in Vocal Music Performance, Choral Conducting, and Music Education. He serves on the executive board of the American Federation of Musicians: Local 1000.