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JOE JENCKS/ LISA MEDINA
JOE JENCKS is a 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Having penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks is also co-founder of the harmony trio, Brother Sun. From Festivals like Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Mariposa, and Old Songs, to venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Jencks has enthralled diverse audiences with his approachable style. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. 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.
“Climb inside the songs of Joe Jencks, and you meet real people. His lilting melodies and warm, caramel tenor draw us closer to the stories he tells. Jencks finds the humanness that binds us to the people in his songs!”- Scott Alarik – Author of Revival and WUMB, Boston, MA
“The spirit of Folk music is people working together. Joe is a fantastic singer who carries on the traditions.” – Pete Seeger
“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.” ~ Luka Bloom
“With his meticulous care, craftmanship and exquisite sensitivity, Joe Jencks has once again blessed us with a thoughtful and stunningly beautiful collection. Themed from the shaping of his own heritage, Joe in his typically generous way encourages each of us to explore and reflect on where we’ve come from. Haunting, melancholy, hopeful and heartfelt all at once, Joe’s gorgeous baritone brings new perspective to the traditional, honour and homage to those written by others, and breathes life to his originals. ” ~ Suze Casey, Artistic Director, Calgary Folk Club
LISA MEDINA is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter with a flavorful hint of Latin rhythm and spice. Lisa’s performance history includes: church choir, theater kid, solo singer-songwriter, vocals and guitar in various duos and bands, and as a vocalist with a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz big band. Over the years Lisa sang on renowned stages, most notably at the Petrillo Bandshell for the Chicago Jazz Festival, Park West, the Old Town School Folk & Roots Festival, the Adler Planetarium, and at Wrigley Field singing the National Anthem for Cubs games.
Upon having children, Lisa’s paid gigs transformed into exclusive cribside lullabies and toddler storytimes. This season as a new mom – full of wonder and sometimes chaos – left her without the time or energy for writing songs. After a decade flew by, Lisa thought perhaps she had forgotten how. Finally, when the pandemic hit in 2020, isolation at home with her family, a new puppy, and an old piano stirred her creative spirit. Lisa and her little ones filled their time playing music together. Amid the devastating events in her community and the world, her children’s innocent laughter and musical curiosity became her muse. Lisa started crafting stories and dreams into powerful songs that resonate with listeners of all ages. These songs, written at a time of creative reawakening, form the heart and the backbone of Lisa’s latest project: her first studio album, which was released in May 2024.
“Lisa P. Medina’s debut CD, “Wishes,” is everything a DJ ‘wishes’ to receive. Excellent songs and music, with a variety of styles, offering great messages and entertainment. Lisa is a wonderful new talent who will enrich the folk music scene and folk radio.” Lilli Kuzma, host of “Folk Festival” on WDCB