Joe Jencks is an 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 was 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.
“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert”, says Richmond Magazine. One of the originators of the finally recognized R&B/Folk/Jazz crossover-sub-genre, Vance was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Starting out hoping to be an R&B and jazz singer once at college, there he discovered his affinity for the storytelling sensibilities of the acoustic singer-songwriter thing. Noted not only for being the ever consummate performer, Gilbert has recorded 13 albums, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records.
Over the course of her twenty five year career, Susan Werner has earned a reputation as “one of the most innovative songwriters working today” (Chicago Tribune). With formidable chops on guitar (she began playing at age 5) and piano (she was a guest on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz), along with a graduate degree in voice performance, her shows are a one-woman master class in musicianship. Although best known as an acoustic songwriter that came up through coffeehouses and folk festivals, the Chicago-based artist has written songs in the style of Gershwin and Cole Porter, gospel music, traditional Cuban “son”, and New Orleans junk piano.
Lexi Ugelow will open
Clear-eyed and tough-minded, songwriter/playwright Katie Dahl is known for her smart songs, wry wit, and wise spirit. A small-town celebrity on the Wisconsin peninsula, Katie is also an internationally touring, radio-charting artist who “delivers razor-sharp lyrics with a hearty, soulful voice” (American Songwriter).
In live shows that are both courageously honest and devilishly funny, Katie dives deep into questions of land and love, family and body image, grief and joy. “In unsettled times,” says Peter Mulvey, “Katie Dahl brings us a grounded spirit.”
Opening for Katie will be MICAH JOHN. She is returning to Harmony on the Green after delighting folks last spring when she joined Antje Duvekot. Micah is a Boston-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and singer-songwriter. She plays American Roots Music of several types. Her range includes Old Time songs and tunes, Bluegrass, Folk, Country, and Americana.
An award winning fiddler, Micah has won many fiddle competitions. She has been fortunate to study fiddle with several amazing teachers, including Bronwyn, Bobby Britt, and Bruce Molsky. A graduate of Berklee City Music High School, Micah also plays and studies guitar, and can contribute to a song on mandolin, bass, and clawhammer banjo as well.
The Open Book Coffeehouse continues its series of live monthly concerts on Saturday evening, May 18, featuring acoustic artist David Singley. The coffeehouse is located at the Canton Public Library, 786 Washington Street, Canton. Doors open at 6:45 PM; music starts at 7:30 PM. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for students of any age. Tickets are available that evening on a first come, first serve basis. (cash or checks).
Born and raised in rural central Illinois, David Singley is a singer-songwriter-guitarist living in Saint Paul, Minnesota, whose music is born of the street, the country, and the academy. An experienced veteran with decades of backing world-class artists and performers, he has recently joined the “Great Resignation” and set his sights on his own artistic pursuits. His music evokes the golden era of the singer-songwriter: the late ’60s and early-to-mid ’70s; with its chameleonic stylistic twists and turns, as well as its memorable melodies and insightful, poetic lyrics. His music expresses a point of view that is at once highly personal and triumphantly global. His voice evokes traces of many of his influences: James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, and many others. His guitar playing is at once highly focused and passionate, impressive yet always absolutely appropriate to the song at hand.
Enjoy the relaxing, warm atmosphere of friendly people, good music, coffee, tea, and home baked goodies. The Open Book Coffeehouse is located in the community room of the Canton Public Library at 786 Washington Street, Canton, and is made possible by the Friends of the Library. Parking is to the left when facing the library from Washington Street. Enter by the “Special Events” door to the left of the columns, midway into the parking area.
Donations may be made to the Friends of the Canton Public Library via the library website, by clicking the yellow “donate” button at https://library.canton.ma.us/187/Friends-of-the-Library.
For more information, visit the Open Book Coffeehouse website at http://library.canton.ma.us, send an email to openbookcoffeehouse@verizon.net, find the coffeehouse on Facebook, or call 617-922-2551.
