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 << Click the image to listen to "A Nation Rocked to Sleep" from American Dreams |
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For over 15 years, as a bassist sideman, and later as a bandleader and then percussionist, Hank was a driving force in some of the Jersey Shore’s most dynamic and innovative bands, sharing the stage, or performing, with such diverse artists as: The Drifters, Merl Saunders, Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, The Smithereens, Toots & the Maytals, The Radiators, Jon Bon Jovi, Room Full of Blues, Clarence Clemmons, Bruce Springsteen Johnny Johnson, Hot Tuna, The Nighthawks, John Hammond Jr. and Johnny Winter. In the late 80s he began studying African and Brasilian drumming and percussion and by 1995 was also performing regularly, as a drummer/percussionist, with Jersey based batucada group Mzume’ Carnaval, at festivals, colleges, clubs and concert halls throughout the NYC/NJ metro area. In 1990 Hank composed, arranged and performed music for “Earth Mother” a Guided Meditation & New Age Music album, which he also co-produced with Karla LaVoie, noted author of the critically acclaimed book “For Time and All Eternity: Love Never Dies”. In March of 2001 Hank moved from Manhattan to Houston, TX. and began a new phase of his music career - Singer/Songwriter. Since then his compositions have garnered him honors in numerous national and international songwriting competitions including: The Kerrville Folk Festival, The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, The SongDoor International Songwriting Contest, The South Florida Folk Festival, The Suwannee Springfest, The Dallas Songwriters Association and the Austin Songwriters Group. His first CD as a songwriter, released in 2005, was recorded over a three year period in studios from Texas to Colorado and New Jersey. “Medallion” combined elements of Folk, Blues, R&B and Rock & Roll with Brasilian, Cuban, African and Indian rhythms. For his outstanding production work on “Medallion”, he was nominated for the 2006 Producer of the Year award, by the Academy of Texas Music. During the recording of “Medallion”, Hank’s songwriting took a turn towards more political & social issues in response to corporate excesses and hyper-partisan, fear mongering politics. In January 2006 he released his first CD single. A hard-hitting commentary on the pervasive culture of cronyism, corruption and wars without end. “Patriot Games” received critical acclaim, and extensive radio airplay, from Portland, OR. to Long Island, NY. Hank’s 2008 offering, “American Dreams”, is a dark portrait painted in broad strokes on a canvas of pure Americana. Alternating between bluegrass, gospel, country, folk and good ol’ rock & roll, he addresses many of the hot-button issues of our time. For both his songwriting work and his performance on “American Dreams” Hank was nominated for the 2009 Singer/Songwriter of the Year award by the Academy of Texas Music. Most recently, as a performing Singer/Songwriter, he has shared the stage with Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, Darden Smith, Ken Gaines, Amy Speace, Saylor White, Annie Gallup, Jimmy LaFavre, Colin Brooks, Denim, Freddy “Steady” Krc, Bob Livingston, Gary P Nunn, Buddy Tabor, Connie Mims, Danny Everitt, Jesse Dayton, David Massengill, Ray Bonneville and Michael Martin Murphey. Hank is a long time Staff Volunteer at the Kerrville Folk Festival
and at KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston, and performs regularly at coffeehouses,
clubs and house concerts in Texas, Florida, Colorado and New Jersey. |
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| "…an astute writer and an engaging singer…" "…social observation in the style of "…you’ll find the timelessness "…Woji stands out from the pack of “…honest simplicity that engages." "...Woji's delivery is passionate and crisp." "...both seasoned and fresh, dark and uplifting, smooth and dynamic." "...speaks to the soul. This one
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