Enoch Kent

Brief Biography

Enoch's music is treasured by both traditional and contemporary music enthusiasts with a passion for story-songs, love and betrayal ballads, and gritty politics.

ARTIST WEBSITE: www.enochkent.ca

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Scotland born and now Canada-based, this legendary interpreter and songsmith's love of traditional music was first inspired by his family. His father played the concertina, and popular songs, Scottish songs and old-time favourites were often sung at home.

After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in sculpture and ceramics, Enoch formed the traditional Scottish group, The Reivers, with Josh MacRae, Rena Swankie and Moyna Flanagan. The group researched the history, lyrics and music of Scottish folksongs, which were published by The Scotsman. Scottish Television then signed the young band to perform these old songs weekly to a new and ever-widening audience.

Later, he co-founded the acclaimed Exiles with fellow Scotsmen, Gordon MacCulloch and Bobby Campbell. Together, these live shows, wide television exposure and their steadfast commitment to promote traditional music were instrumental in the Scottish folk music revival that took place in the 1950s and 1960s.

Enoch Kent's own songwriting craft was further developed through The Singers Club (aka "The Critics Group") which he co-founded with internationally renowned folksingers, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger.

Since immigrating to Canada in the 60s, Enoch performed in many folk clubs and festivals across the country to critical acclaim. During that time, he focused on live performance and decided to put recording aside for, as he says, "a wee while".

A mere 36 years later, at 70 years young, Enoch well made up for lost time with his return to the studio and the release of four outstanding CDs on the Canadian indie label Second Avenue Records: "I'm A Workin' Chap" (2002), "Love, Lust & Loathing" (2003), "For The Women" (2005), and "I'm A Rover" (2006).

Enoch just released his 5th CD, "One More Round" on Borealis Records. These albums garnered rave reviews, extensive airplay, a Canadian Folk Music Award, Ontario Council of Folk Festivals' Songs From the Heart Award, and tour opportunities across Canada, the US, and UK. Enoch was also invited to both perform at the Annual Canadian Folk Music Awards in November and to showcase at the International Folk Alliance Conference in February 2009.

His collections of songs include such original gems as the "The Farm Auction", (recorded by Garnet Rogers, The McCalmans, Jean Redpath and others), "No More Cod On The Banks", "The Widows O' War", "Edinburgh Maggie", and "I Didn't Raise My Son To Be A Soldier".

Enoch's music is treasured by both traditional and contemporary music enthusiasts with a passion for story-songs, love and betrayal ballads, and gritty politics. While his songs are deeply rooted in the Scottish style, much of his subject matter is Canadian, giving his music a unique cultural blend. What's more is Enoch's natural storytelling style complemented by a ferocious wit and kitchen range warmth.