Morry Sochat and the Special 20s
Bringing the Soul of Chicago to Life!
Morry Sochat and The Special 20’s are bringing a fresh sound to the Chicago Blues scene. They mix classic Chicago Blues with Swing and Rock N’ Roll from the 1950’s. The band is influenced by the best in blues history. Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Louis Jordan, Junior Wells, and all of the Chicago greats.
Morry Sochat (pronounced Socket) moved to Chicago from Texas in 1990. He started playing harmonica in 2000, taking lessons from renowned teacher, Joe Filisko at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He played with The Shakes and Tongue & Groove before starting The Special 20s in 2005. Their first, self-titled release, recorded in 2006, was received with great reviews, taking the 20s from playing one or two nights a month to constant bookings all over the city. Morry 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.
In 2007, Sochat took the next step and went out on his own. He hired some of the best musicians in Chicago to round out The Special 20s. In 2008, they returned to the studio to record a new CD. The recording Swingin’ Shufflin’ Smokin’ was produced by Nick Moss and featured Ted Beranis, Kenny Smith, Dave Ross, Nick Krebs, Shoji Naito, and Jim St. Marie. The CD was also met with rave reviews. This opened up doors for the band across the US.
In 2010 Morry took the band back to the studio to release Eatin’ Dirt. The CD was produced by Jimmy Sutton, and features 10 original songs. The band has grown in both skill level and size, adding a horn section on a lot of the songs. Eating’ Dirt was a sound expansion for the band. It was the first CD that brought in the horn section. The recording featured the line up of Marty Binder, Doug Corcoran, Shoji Naito, Chris Neal, Jim St. Marie and Ted Beranis. It has special guests Billy Flynn, Dave Hererro, and Brother John on the CD. The sound is vintage with a modern feel.
The new album, Dig In was released on November 24th, 2015. It was recorded with the same band as Eatin’ Dirt with the addition of Billy Flynn. Tim Bluhm, from the Mother Hips, produced the CD. It was a crazy recording session. We got 19 inches of snow on the first day. The album came out great!!!
The band is cooking on all cylinders so get out and see them live.
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Morry Sochat and the Special 20s
Morry Sochat & The Special 20’s is a vibrant musical group that blends Chicago blues, swing, and rock ‘n’ roll, delivering electrifying performances and captivating original songs. With a dedication to keeping the spirit of classic genres alive, they engage audiences through memorable live shows and collaborations with legendary artists, including Buddy Guy.
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Bringing the Soul of Chicago to Life!
Morry Sochat and The Special 20’s are bringing a fresh sound to the Chicago Blues scene. They mix classic Chicago Blues with Swing and Rock N’ Roll from the 1950’s. The band is influenced by the best in blues history. Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Louis Jordan, Junior Wells, and all of the Chicago greats.
Morry Sochat (pronounced Socket) moved to Chicago from Texas in 1990. He started playing harmonica in 2000, taking lessons from renowned teacher, Joe Filisko at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He played with The Shakes and Tongue & Groove before starting The Special 20s in 2005. Their first, self-titled release, recorded in 2006, was received with great reviews, taking the 20s from playing one or two nights a month to constant bookings all over the city. Morry 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.
In 2007, Sochat took the next step and went out on his own. He hired some of the best musicians in Chicago to round out The Special 20s. In 2008, they returned to the studio to record a new CD. The recording Swingin’ Shufflin’ Smokin’ was produced by Nick Moss and featured Ted Beranis, Kenny Smith, Dave Ross, Nick Krebs, Shoji Naito, and Jim St. Marie. The CD was also met with rave reviews. This opened up doors for the band across the US.
In 2010 Morry took the band back to the studio to release Eatin’ Dirt. The CD was produced by Jimmy Sutton, and features 10 original songs. The band has grown in both skill level and size, adding a horn section on a lot of the songs. Eating’ Dirt was a sound expansion for the band. It was the first CD that brought in the horn section. The recording featured the line up of Marty Binder, Doug Corcoran, Shoji Naito, Chris Neal, Jim St. Marie and Ted Beranis. It has special guests Billy Flynn, Dave Hererro, and Brother John on the CD. The sound is vintage with a modern feel.
The new album, Dig In was released on November 24th, 2015. It was recorded with the same band as Eatin’ Dirt with the addition of Billy Flynn. Tim Bluhm, from the Mother Hips, produced the CD. It was a crazy recording session. We got 19 inches of snow on the first day. The album came out great!!!
The band is cooking on all cylinders so get out and see them live.
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Bringing the heart of Louisiana to every stage—All Mardi Gras, All the time!
Hurricane Gumbo is an eight-piece, Chicago-based band that combines zydeco, rhythm & blues, jazz and funk to produce a sound that can only be called one thing – Louisiana party music. Featuring the music of Dr. John, Neville Brothers, Funky Meters, Chubby Carrier, Edgar Winter, Terrence Simien, Bobby Rush, Little Feet, Radiators, and so on… not to mention some tasty originals.
“Hurricane” Bill, an energetic “Mexi-Cajun” born in the steamy swamps of Louisiana’s Bayou country, leads the band with his fiery vocals and rockin’ accordion. Hurricane Gumbo’s smokin’ rhythm section consists of “Sleepin’ Jesus” on bass, the “Lunchbox” on drums, “Kenny-E” on guitar, and “Zydeco” Joe on rubboard, conga drums and percussion. Finally, the Hurricane Horns – a.k.a. “Wif” on alto sax, “Miles” on tenor sax and “Dr Maybe” on trumpet. Tight riffs and tasty harmonies thrown in the pot and Hurricane Gumbo becomes one of the tastiest Louisiana-style bands north of the Crescent City.
Since 1994, Hurricane Gumbo has entertained at major music fests from New Orleans to Milwaukee, plus all points in between. Presently based in the Chicago area, the band has played to packed venues throughout the Midwest—-and there’s nothing more authentic North of Lafayette, LA. The band has released three CD albums (with a fourth in the works) and has performed numerous live television and radio appearances…including the House of Blues, Taste of Chicago, Rock Island’s Gumbo Ya Ya festival and Summerfest sharing the stage with New Orleans artists Dr. John, the Iguanas and Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.
With Hurricane Gumbo, the party never stops. That is why, one reviewer calls it “without a doubt, one of the best and liveliest party-bands anywhere”… because with Hurricane Gumbo, it’s All Mardi Gras, All of the time. Leave your underwear at home.
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