WHO IS JIM ST. MARIE AND THE SHAKES?

Jim St. Marie and The Shakes are bringing a fresh sound to the Northern California Blues scene. They mix classic Chicago Blues with West Coast Swing, Classic Rock and Country and Rock N’ Roll from the 1950’s. The band is influenced by the best in blues history. Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Louis Jordan, Junior Wells, and all of the Chicago greats.

 

Jim St. Marie studied music and has a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.  He moved to Chicago from Texas in 1989 and studied Chicago Blues guitar with Dave Spector, a Blues scholar and Chicago great.  Jim played with a now defunct band called The Shakes before joining his good friend Morry Sochat and The Special 20s in 2005. Jim had a ten year run with The Special 20s playing around Chicago and the mid-west.  He also recorded with the band on their first three records.  The records were received with great reviews, taking the 20s from playing one or two nights a month to constant bookings all over the city. Jim has been playing around the city learning from the greats in Chicago, playing with Dave Specter, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Billy Flynn and Barrelhouse Chuck.

 

Jim moved to Northern California in 2016 and has reformed The Shakes using local musicians.  The band plays in San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma and throughout Northern California and beyond.

​

Jim St. Marie and The Shakes are available for bookings, guest appearances and interviews. Feel free to get in touch to learn more.