In addition to solo gigs, I’ve been known to perform from time to time, in various configurations with one or more of these great musicians:
Mike Mizma – Drums & Percussion
James Metcalfe – Drums & Percussion
Marco – Drums & Percussion
Thomas Helton – Doublebass
Brian Mullins – Mandolin/Mandocello
Mark Zeus – Mandolin
Colin Brooks – Dobro
Jeff Duncan – Violin
Kristen Jensen - Violin
Wayne Wilkerson - Guitar
Kelly Dean – Saxophones
Gary Sapone - Harmonica
Jeff Abrams – Flutes
…and Laughing Hands
Influences
The Beatles, Dylan, The Dead, The Band, Caetano Veloso, Bruce, Joni, Miles, Santana, Fela, Buffalo Springfield & The Byrds et al, Phil Ochs, Carlinhos Brown, Marisa Monte, Tribalistas, Hank Williams, Guy Clark, Butch Hancock, Simon & Garfunkle, Gilberto Gil, Sergio Mendes, Xavier Cugat, Buena Vista Social Club, Ry Cooder, Motown, CSN&Y, Smoky Robinson, The Supremes, Ali Farka Toure, Manu Dibango, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, Woody & Arlo, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Baba Olatunji, Weather Report, Dizzy & Bird, The Police, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Dr John, Neville Brothers, David Gray, Gram Parsons, Bruce Hornsby, Joe Ely, Willie Nelson, Commander Cody & The Lost Planet Airmen, Little Feat, The Stones, Townes Van Zandt, Habib Koite, J.J.Cale, Clapton, Chuck Berry, James McMurtry, Richie Havens, Carolyne Mas and Walter Bishop Jr.
Sounds Like
Jersey-Born Woji certainly shares something of Springsteen’s recognisable vocal cadences, strained passion and everyman narrative...
- Ian Fildes - AmericanaUK ----
His understated Lyle Lovett-style vocal approach perfectly compliments the material and the mood it sets....
- Steve Rangel - Houston Music News ----
…Woji, who blends folk, country, bluegrass and rock influences in his music, is an astute writer and an engaging singer…
- M.R. - Sing Out! Magazine ----
…forthright vocals – more Jakob Dylan than Dylan pere..
- Chris Gray – Houston Press ----
Texas-based songwriter Hank Woji handles protest and social observation in the style of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and John Prine
- Chip Withrow – The Muse’s Muse ----
His voice had much the timbre of Bruce Springsteen's (something about the way he slid around the notes)
- Alison Cook – The Houston Chronicle ----
Woji evokes the best elements of Arlo Guthrie and Cat Stevens.
- Rocky Stone - Houston Music News ----
Having dabbled in new Age and World music as a talented multi-instrumentalist, Hank Woji’s second album is acoustic-weilding, sharply observed, Americana all the way...Often taken from the perspective of the downtrodden and the desperate, Jersey-Born Woji certainly shares something of Springsteen’s recognisable vocal cadences, strained passion and everyman narrative…Woji delivers these crafted songs with some obvious heart, and honest simplicity that engages. - Ian Fildes - AmericanaUK------
For over 15 years, as a bassist sideman, and then later as a bandleader and 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 Morningside Heights in Manhattan to The Heights of 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 New Folk Competition, The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, The SongDoor International Songwriting Contest, The South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, The Suwannee Springfest Songwriting Contest, The Dallas Songwriters Association Songwriting Contest and the Austin Songwriters Group Spring Songwriting Competition.------
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, and addressing many of the hot-button issues of our time. “American Dreams” is a tour de force from a passionate songwriter just beginning to hit his stride. For both his songwriting work and his performance on “American Dreams” Hank has been 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, Buddy Tabor, Connie Mims, Danny Everitt, Jesse Dayton and David Massengill.------
Hank is a long time Staff Volunteer at the Kerrville Folk Festival and at KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston. He also hosts the monthly “EastEnd SongWriter Circle” at Bohemeo’s in Houston, and performs regularly at coffeehouses, clubs and house concerts in Texas, Florida, Colorado and New Jersey.
Thanks so much for the add and stoppin by to show my music some love.I am so glad to have you as a new friend! Drop me a line sometime to keep intouch! I'd love to hear from ya!
yeah, not a bad writer to look up to, huh?! ;-) I see you have Kate Gaffney in your top friends...she is in NJ and playing for me Tuesday, small world!
Thanks Hank, so nice to meetcha, AND hear ya...your songs are fantastic, especially liked Living On the Edge. It's nice to meet a fellow Jerseyian with roots soul...please hit me up when you get back...all the best!
Hank, "American Dreams" came in the mail this morning, and got to listen to it while attempting to take care of some chores around the house. Two songs in particular stopped me in my tracks. "Livin' On The Edge" put tears in my eyes and "Strike The Match" had me grinning from ear to ear and will have me singing along for days to come. What a great job you have done with your truthful and socially conscious collection of songs. Can’t wait to meet you face to face in a few weeks. Peace, Bill (& Eli)
Hello and a Happy New Year to you. An eclectic bunch of songs new to the site this month. The frankly uncategorisable Icelandic band Storsveut Nix Noltes, the sardonic lyics (plus ukelele) of Dent May. some dark folk from The Deep Dark Woods and emerging US singer-songrwiter Israel Nash. Hope you like them all.
Hello. For our final update of 2008 we have a track from the wonderful Todd Snider, classic sounds from The Snakes, the spellbinding voice of Kate Campbell, the atmospheric Iguanas and some leftfield rock'n'roll from Slithering Beast. Merry Christmas/Solstice/whatever and a Happy New Year!
Thanks for the CD. If you get a chance check out the show broadcasting on:
CMR Nashville Radio Six International kyouRADIO San Francisco WGWG 88.3fm N&S Carolina Country Music 24 Germany GoldRush 1440 New Zealand Edge 99.3fm Tasmania, Australia Moozikoo Radio Nashville
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