Hank Woji

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.