Joe Jencks

Quotes and Comments

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 thats 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

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 doesnt obscure the beauty of his voice or the words of his well-crafted songs.
•Rich Warren, Host of The Midnight Special & reviewer for Sing Out! Magazine

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. But dont expect an evening that goes no further or asks no more probing questions than a string of protest songs. As deep as Joe Jencks union and social convictions go, his animating purpose runs deeper, tapping into the latent, nearly mystical beauty that a roomful of people can unleash by singing together. Brad Warren, Seattle Folklore Society

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. -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, who was at the forefront of social struggles in his generation. In much the same way, Joe has his finger on the pulse of our grass-roots social conscience, and passes it on for us to scrutinize. He wraps his messages in beautiful melodies, and sings them with an outstanding tenor voice. Every generation needs a voice for social justice. 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

Picking up a wide tradition of folk music styles and themes, Jencks carries them forward for a new generation of musicians and listeners alike. - East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR

Joe Jencks is a songwriter whose 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

Joes songs are keepers! Rise Up Singing material!
•Laurie Keith House Concerts, Whidbey Island, WA

Joe Jencks CD What Kind of Brother, came out of nowhere and blew me away! Like John McCutcheon or James Keelaghan, Joe uses folk traditions and history for his carefully crafted and compelling songs.
Karen Impola, Host of Live from Studio One KUNI-FM Cedar Falls, IA

Joe Jencks lyrics knock at the soul, delivering messages of human rights, social justice, and community pride.
Dori ONeal, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA

"Joe's voice is high, clear, and warm. His recording and instrumental backing are first rate."
Victory Music Review, Bonney Lake, WA


"A wonderful songwriter!"
Flip Breskin, cofounder, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Bellingham, WA

"The best music of its kind I've heard in decades!"
Zeke Hoskin, Songwriter and Performer, Bellingham, WA

"Just about my favorite male vocalist!"
Dave Nachmanoff, Singer/Songwriter, Davis, CA

"Stan Rogers would be proud!"
Marie Eaton, Songwriter, Performer, and Member of "Motherlode," Bellingham, WA

"Almost as good as me!"

  • The late Mark Spittal, Singer/Songwriter, Healer. He's everywhere!