"In a dark and frequently shallow time, how refreshing to hear a man willing to wear his heart on his sleeve. How refreshing to hear someone sing with passion about matters which are not directly related to HIM. A man with a golden voice, who has a great feeling for history, and the role that songs play in documenting that history. The Coming of the Years, by Joe Jencks is a gorgeous record. His reading of City of Chicago is moving to me, and I thank him for it."
~ Luka Bloom
Dear Friends,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
My new CD, The Coming of the Years hit the North American Folk DJ Chart (Managed by Folk Alliance International) at #3. With 4 songs charting as singles in the top 20, and placing me as the #2 Artist for the month of August! (Based on total airplay for the month.) It also hit the NACC charts at #7 and rising. (North American College and Community Radio.)
None of this would have been possible without your support. The initial finding goals were exceeded by more than 25%. Thank you. I am as proud of this recording, as anything I have done in my artistic life. The songs, the arrangements, and the overall sonic experience of the album are really amazing. Charlie Pilzer & Randy LeRoy at Tonal Park Studios deserve a lot of the credit for that. I brought them compelling music – but they wove the tapestry together in mix and mastering – beautifully. The album is now up on I-Tunes and on most streaming services, and copies are available through the Joe Jencks store: www.joejencks.com. For voting members of the Recording Academy, the CD has also been submitted for Grammy consideration under: Best Folk Album.
I am excited to announce some upcoming concert dates as well, starting this weekend at Caffe Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY) and Club Passim (Cambridge, MA). Both shows are in-person and available online. And both venues have been tremendous allies to working musicians throughout the Pandemic – so please support these concerts. I am delighted to be sharing these two shows with my friend and very talented colleague – Kray Van Kirk.
After that it’s off for a tour leg in the SW with concerts in NM and AZ – including the Albuquerque Folk Festival. Then I will be in North Carolina for a few shows with my friend and beloved colleague Crys Matthews. Off to TX after that for a run of solo dates (Dallas, Houston, Austin, & Sun City); and I will close out October in Ontario with four concerts in partnership with my marvelous Canadian soul sister – Maria Dunn.
Upcoming tour dates:
9-16 ~ Joe Jencks & Kray Van Kirk – Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
9-18 ~ Joe Jencks & Kray Van Kirk – Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
10-1 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert – Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, NM
10-2 ~ Greenwich Village Folk Festival On-Line: Phil Ochs Song Night!
10-7 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert - Catalina House Concerts, Tucson, AZ
10-9 ~ Albuquerque Folk Festival - ABQ, NM
10-9 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert - Second Sunday Studio Shows – Bernalillo, NM
10-15 ~ Joe Jencks & Crys Matthews in Concert - UU Wilmington, NC
10-16 ~ Joe Jencks & Crys Matthews in Concert - Eno River UU – Durham, NC
10-21 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert – Kessler Park United Methodist - Dallas, TX
10-22 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert – Fritz House Concerts – Houston, TX
10-23 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert - Arhaven House Concerts (near) Austin, TX
10-24 ~ Joe Jencks in Concert - Sun City Limits – Sun City, TX
10-27 ~ Joe Jencks & Maria Dunn - Whole Village Concerts – Orangeville, ON
10-28 ~ Joe Jencks & Maria Dunn - Stonecroft Concerts – Ingersoll, ON
10-29 ~ Joe Jencks & Maria Dunn – Concerts at The Registry, Kitchener, ON
***Schedules change – please check for detailed listings and updates at: www.joejencks.com
In other news, Irish Music Magazine (Dublin, IRE) will run a full review of The Coming of the Years in the October edition of the publication. This is huge. I have been hopeful about the potential this recording has to open up more international audiences for me. And it is already happening. Several DJs in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada have picked up the recording – and the review in Irish Music Magazine will be a big splash in the EU music pond.
Last but not least, I am honored to have been chosen for an Official Showcase at the Folk Alliance International conference in KSC, MO (Feb. 1-5 2023). Folk Alliance has been the prime epicenter of my musical and professional life since I first started touring full time, 23 years ago. To be recognized and celebrated with the new CD, and for the musical journey I have been on for the last few decades is marvelous. And I am grateful for the extraordinary work of Folk Alliance staff and volunteers, for the heavy lifting that mounting this conference represents. FAI engaged in Herculean efforts to hold the community together throughout the pandemic. And those efforts are ongoing, and appreciated by thousands.
I hope you are well, and keep finding goodness, hope, and strength through the music. It is what keeps me going.
In Gratitude & Song,
~ Joe Jencks (9-15-22)
