Born from the blues improv scene of South Shore Massachusetts, The Speakeasies are a 6-piece genre-fluid collective of journeymen musicians, young talent, and songwriting firepower. What began as a series of local jam sessions quickly evolved into a full-fledged band with a sound greater than the sum of its parts.
Drummer Jeremy Sheehan and harmonica innovator Stu Barer, (who influenced the beginnings of the band’s signature “Reed Section”— a gritty, horn-style ensemble that would later pair harmonica and saxophone) laid the foundation. The two would soon recruit bassist Gregg Marcus as well as the young and soulful frontman Benjamin Sangiolo. Their early sets featured underplayed jump blues and classic soul tunes but would quickly shift when Gregg crossed paths with local solo artist Jason Cardinal. Jason’s arrival brought a second lead vocalist, keyboards, original songwriting, and a genre-bending spirit that reshaped the band’s identity. With the final addition of saxophonist David Stringham, The Speakeasies locked in their lineup and launched a sound with equal parts vintage grit, heartfelt groove, and spontaneous joy. Their performances blend timeless covers, powerful originals, and mashups that shouldn’t work—but somehow do.
Whether they’re swinging through a soul classic or unveiling a fresh tune, The Speakeasies deliver a musical experience that’s infectious, unpredictable, and deeply rooted in love for the craft and each other.
Still in their infancy, they groove and swing with the best of them—and the road ahead feels wide open.