Bio

The Charles Walker Band is a five piece band that performs various styles of blues and R&B with precision and energy.  What adds to the band uniqueness, apart from award winning musicians  (together for 3 years), is the richness of both the original and cover (BB King, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters) material.  As one critic said, “Real edge of your seat, power wire blues.”  A quote from the “Livin Blues” magazine describes us best, “…so much energy, you can’t resist but fall in love with every song.  You’re drawn in and held for show after show with Charles band.”

Charles Walker, tenor saxophone, keyboard, songwriter & band leader, received formal jazz training at UW Eau Claire. He has played saxophone for over 17 years.  His last band was Muddy Blue, who released a CD entitled “Low Down Dirty Blues”.  He has played with such greats as Big Al from New Orleans and JJ Johnson at BB’s in St. Louis.  His influences are Luther Allison, Louis Jordan, Stan Getz, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane.

Miss Shanna Jackson, lead vocals, has been singing in Milwaukee since she's been five and  attended the School of Fine Arts in Milwaukee to hone her vocal talent in the late 80's. Her professional career started with female singing groups in Nashville and Atlanta, but has found her passion in the blues, which she has been performing professionally for four years.  One of the highlights of her career so far has been sharing the stage with Nora Jean Brusco.  Her biggest blues influences are Shemekia Copeland, Koko Taylor, Luther Allison, Buddy Guy and Big Time Sarah. 

Misha Siegfried, lead guitar, hails from St. Paul, MN. Migrating to Milwaukee in 2002, Misha's resume includes Fire On Your Sleeve (pop/rock), Genie Halliday Revue Band (R&B/Blues), The Mixx (R&B/Blues), Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Alter Boys (Blues), Blue Wagon (Blues), and Mississippi Gun & Gun Smoke (Blues/R&B).  He's also been in the house bands at The Up & Under Pub, as well as at Sandie's National Pastime. He's done some work as a band leader and songwriter, but primarily works as a guitarist in any capacity needed.  His influences include Eric Clapton, Moses Oakland, and Freddie King. He is also a fan of John Coltrane and Hunter S. Thompson. 

            Kent Hamele, bass guitar, has been playing bass for over 35 years and

 his last big blues experience was with Cadillac Joe and Paul Flipowitz.  He lives

in Madison, Wisconsin and has played the gambit of rock, pop, Caribbean, 

African and, of course, blues genres in the process.  He has opened for such greats 

as Lil’Ed, Johnny Bassett and Shemekia Copeland.

           Joey B. Banks, drums, started playing when he was six years old.  A big part of his early development as a drummer was from marching in drum corps, marching from 1975-1979 with the Madison jr. Scouts and snare drum from 1980-86 with the Madison Scouts.  Later, he studied at the Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles  In 1991 he started playing with James Earl Tate and the Million-dollar Blues Band. Over a four-year period he performed with Luther, Koko Taylor, Jimmy Johnson and local the legendary electric acoustic guitarist Jim Schwall of the National act, Siegel/Schwall band.  In 1996 he had the pleasure of backing up two of the most influential R&B groups of all time, the Spinners and the Four Tops.