WHO ARE THE SPECIAL 20S?

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 into a sound all their own.   The band celebrates their 20 year anniversary in 2025!

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 started  The Special 20s in 2005 and they released their first self titled album.

Their second  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.

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.

2025 brings new music releases with Chris Neal leading the band on Hotter Than Fire and Midnight Kisses.  A live album will be releases in 2025 as well.

The band is cooking on all cylinders so get out and see them live.