Stanroy Song Service: Michael J O'Connor, Sam Cole, Sebastian St. James

Date and Time

Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 7:30pm

Location

Details

Stanroy Music Center Presents Song Service, an intimate evening with three artists passing the spotlight. Expect insights into the craft of the song from inspiration to final form.

Sebastian Saint James is a Northern California singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and bandleader whose music lives at the intersection of soul, rock, blues, and American roots music. Known for a powerful, lived-in voice and an intensely rhythmic approach to guitar, Saint James has spent more than a decade building a career around original songs, musicianship, and the kind of live performances that can hold a room whether he is standing onstage alone or leading a full band. He has recently recieved the 2026 Northbay music award for best solo male performer.
Over the course of his career, Saint James has opened for or shared stages with artists including Pat Benatar, Blue Öyster Cult, Elvin Bishop, Frank Black, Jackie Greene, Eric Lindell, Everlast, Frank Black, Ozomatli, Albert Cummings, Eddie 9V, GA-20, ZERO, Taj Farrant, Mike Love, The Sam Chase & The Untraditional, and members of Buddy Guy’s band.
https://www.sebastiansaintjames.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sebastiansaintjames/

Sam Cole learned at a young age what it meant to have, feel and hear soul. During his formative years, his house was filled with the sounds of Van Morrison, James Taylor, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and many more soul legends. At the age of 14, he picked up a guitar and never looked back.
He currently fronts funk rock soul group Marshall House Project, and is the lead guitarist and part time singer for a funky bluegrass band known as Free Peoples. Between these two groups he has played music everywhere from the Canadian border down to Texas and everywhere in between.
His live show is an eclectic electric experience revealing his inspirations and his soul, yearning to be heard through his original music.

https://www.facebook.com/SamColeJams
https://www.instagram.com/samcolejams/

Michael J. O’Connor has been making his way through the indie music world for 25 years, writing songs that sit somewhere between the intimacy of Elliott Smith, the scruffy alternative rock of The Lemonheads, and the sharp storytelling of Jason Isbell. His voice can be soaring or torn-up, but the songs are always direct, melodic, and a little rough around the edges.

O’Connor plays every instrument on his recordings, and his live show goes well beyond the typical guy-with-a-guitar set. Equally comfortable playing a packed room, a street corner, or a nursing home, he brings an energetic, engaging solo performance that works just as well for a listening crowd as it does for a brewery, winery, or neighborhood bar.

Over the years, he has performed at venues and festivals including The Red Devil Lounge, 924 Gilman Street, The Unnamed Festival Project, and SXSW.
https://www.michaeljoconnor.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mjocmusic/

Stanroy Music Center - located at 850 4th Street in Downtown Santa Rosa celebrates it's 76th anniversary this year. A locally owned, full-service music store providing instrument sales and rentals, private music lessons, and repairs. Stanroy Music Center - serving Sonoma County musicians and their families since 1947. More at www.stanroy.com