JACQUES - BAND LEADER

A Potawatomi-French Canadian from Cape Croker First Nation, Jacques grew up in the rough and tumble town of Oshawa, Ontario. He started traveling at 12 years of age and picked up the guitar somewhere along the way. He’s always been a storyteller but music has allowed him to express his unique cultural perspective in a modern and immediate way, translating his travels and experiences into song. He formed the band that became Jacques and The Shakey Boys at a tiny bistro, Teatro, in Toronto’s west end. During their two-year residency, the band developed the early Bluntry & Western sound, winning over a crowd of urban sophisticates who had had no love for country music.

In 2006, they took their gritty Bluntry & Western music to Austin, Texas for the world-famous music industry showcase South By SouthWest (SXSW) where they were well-received and reviewed by Chart Magazine. In Ontario, they showcased for The National Aboriginal Recording Industry Association during Canadian Music Week in Toronto and performed at The Concert for Kananhstaton in the Brantford area’s Six Nations Reserve as well as their regular gigs.

Jacques who composes all original songs and creates the arrangements for the band, also co-produced their debut album Lines, Bumps and Rails (2006) in association with fellow musician, Derek Miller. This first album was nominated in Wisconsin’s Indian Summer Festival - Music Awards, for Best Country Album 2007. A song from the album, Noranda, appeared on the Big Soul Productions Inc. compilation CD Project 1 Generation. Another song, God and the Devil was featured on the television program Moccasin Flats and Naschitti, also from this album hit #26 on the Aboriginal Top 30 in Manitoba, without any publicity.

In the Toronto area, they have played The Horseshoe Tavern, The Cameron House, Grossman’s Tavern, The Tranzac Club, The Palais Royale, The Cadillac Lounge, The Bovine Sex Club, Mitzi’s Sister, Jeff Healey’s Roadhouse and pack the house at The Dakota Tavern on a regular basis.

In 2008, Jacques and The Shakey Boys were featured in the ‘Bluntry & Western Episode 4” of Rez Bluez II on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and are receiving European attention for ‘God and the Devil’, their selection recorded on a compilation album entitled Reservation Blues (Dixie Frogs label, France – see Music). In 2009, this same tune reached #1 on Canada’s Aboriginal Top 30 (NCI) and the band is featured on APTN’s Rez Tunes. They have just released their second indie album ‘Jacques and The Shakey Boys’ to impressive reviews from music industry insiders….check it out on their Music page then go to Downloads to add these rockin’ tunes to your collection!

DAVID DELEARY – BASS GUITAR

With over 20 years of experience as a musician, David studied music composition at the University of Arizona and has performed in ensembles ranging from choirs to alt-rock bands like Seventh Fire and performed for three years with the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards orchestra. He has also performed and composed music in the traditional Native genre with the Walpole Island Singers, The Hard Corps Singers and led the Wa:k Singers in Tucson, Arizona.

David is member of the Ojibway First Nation of Bkejwanong (Walpole Island). Living in Detroit during the 60's, he was influenced by R&B, funk, blues, rock and country styles reflected now in his work as a session player and sideman. He plays guitar (electric, acoustic & slide), bass guitar and keyboards. David currently lives in Toronto, Canada and plays regularly with O-Jazz (jazz) and Jacques and The Shakey Boys (country).

BRENDAN PELTIER - PIANO

After studying music in grade school and at a "Fame" secondary school in Sudbury, Ontario, Brendan went on to work on various musical projects. His experience ranges from being Musical Director in theatrical shows such as Grease, Three Guys Naked From the Waist Down to recording a 4-song release of original work where Peltier shows off his composition and arrangement abilities. Brendan's musical influences include Bruce Hornsby, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Ben Folds, Tori Amos, Dave Matthews, Bela Fleck, Billy Joel, Elton John, Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to name a few, however; he prides himself on enjoying all styles and varieties of music.

Using his musical background, Brendan can be found dabbling in the music end of commercials, for example writing original music for Nissan Canada. Today Brendan balances his piano playing assignments for The Shakey Boys and independent songstress Cheri Maracle along with having a 'day-job' working for Rogers TV in Toronto as a mobile sports producer. Brendan does it all!

Having 20+ years of performing experience and enjoyed success from a very young age in the field of music, Brendan feels fully qualified to add his musical influences from Ben Folds’ blazing energy and Bruce Hornsby’s delicate touch to The Shakey Boys.

EUGENE BOYER – GUITAR

Originating from the Rankin First Nations, adjacent to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he played in various bands including The Boyer Brothers, Eugene Boyer graduated from Humber College Music and attended the music program at York University, Toronto.
Eugene has played The Toronto, Winnipeg, Jacksonville, Florida and many other Jazz Festivals. In the early nineties he played guitar in the ‘house’ band at The Rex, he has backed up Liberty Silver and was also in a group that opened for The Chick Corea Electric Band.
He has produced and recorded two independent CDs, collaborated with Buffy Ste. Marie on a song for Aboriginal songwriter Brian Davey and has performed on both the CBC and City TV.
He now brings his vast knowledge and impeccable guitar slinging to The Shakey Boys fold.

PAUL BRENNAN – DRUMS

Paul Brennan is of Irish/Scottish descent with strong familial ties to the Haida Gwai Nation of the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.

KAILI GLENNON – BACKUP VOCALS

Kaili Glennon has been singing, untrained her whole life. For three years, she has been singing with Jacques and The Shakey Boys- a random meeting that has turned out well.