Singer/Songwriter Series concert set for Jan. 26

Joe Jencks and Heather Styka will present a Wisconsin Singer/Songwriter Series concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Unitarian Church North in Mequon.

Doors to the church at 13800 N. Port Washington Rd. open at 7 p.m.

Jencks is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist known for performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration that combine his conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing.

A 20-year veteran of the international folk circuit, Jencks has released 15 CDs. His most recent solo CD, “The Forgotten: Recovered Treasures From The Pen of Si Kahn,” contains 14 previously unrecorded songs from folk legend Si Kahn.     

The collection represents a return to Jencks’ more traditional folk roots in theme and style, celebrating the lost legends of hard-working people from New England textile mills to Appalachian coal-mining towns and from the Civil Rights movement to forgotten industrial towns in the Midwest.

His 2017 release “Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers” debuted as the No. 1 CD on the International Folk DJ Chart, also garnering recognition for  the No. 1 Song and No. 1 Artist.

Jencks, who is known as a composer and arranger, is also the co-founder and primary vocal arranger for the trio Brother Sun.

Styka, who is known as a wordsmith and entertainer, has been described as a cross between Leonard Cohen and Patsy Cline. She will perform original music that combines the lyrical intricacy of folk with catchy melodic pop sensibility and the grit of classic country.

Tickets are $17 in advance or $21 at the door and $10 for students. A discount of $1 per donated food item to a maximum $4 will be given at the door.

Advance tickets may be purchased at Vines to Cellar in Port Washington, Grapes & Tastes and the Stagecoach Inn, both in Cedarburg, and the North Shore Bank offices in Mequon and Grafton.

Coffee, water, juices and snacks will be available for purchase.

For more information call (262) 457-4399 or visit www.wsss.org.

Future Wisconsin Singer/Songwriter Series concerts include:
•  John McCutcheon on Friday, Feb. 15.
•  Christine Lavin on Saturday, March 9.
•  Ben Bedford on Saturday, March 23.
•  Jack Williams on Saturday, April 13.
•  Griffin House on Friday, May 3.