The Jim Ocean Band
Sassy Folk-Rock for Complicated Times
Thoughtful. Infectious. Fearlessly original. The Jim Ocean Band stands at the intersection of art and activism, inviting listeners not just to hear the music, but to feel it—and maybe to see the world a little differently afterward.
JimOceanBand.com
“…Some of the best satirical songs you’re likely to hear.” – Dirty Linen
The Jim Ocean Band delivers an electrifying blend of folk-rock music with, soulful harmonies, and thought-provoking lyrics that inspire and engage audiences. Led by veteran performers Jim and Kathy Ocean, the band brings depth, heart, and a crowd-pleasing vibe to every stage — from intimate acoustic sets to full-on festival performances.
Press Photos
Testimonials
“JIM OCEAN and his band have been entertaining audiences for decades with ORIGINALITY that has traction, energy, thoughtfulness AND is a raucous good time!” – Scott O’Neill (Scotty O’s Wednesday Night Listening Room)
“The Oceans’ music transcends category, transporting the audience through an entertaining and poignant range of emotions related to being human in the modern world.” – K Smith, Concert Producer
“Their songs pack an emotional wallop…” – Joseph Chilton Pearce, Author of Magical Child, Evolution’s End and Crack in the Cosmic Egg
Specialty Programs offered by
The Jim Ocean Band
Environmentally-themed Benefit Concerts
A Cross-Gen Musical Adventure
An Evening of Satire
Past Shows
- Concord Pavillion’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
- High Rio Music Festival
- Martinez Earth Day
- Lafayette Earth Day
- Golden Gate Park Bandshell
- Party for the Planet – a benefit for Save Mount Diablo
- Party for the Planet – a benefit for Sustainable Contra Costa
- Rockin’ the River Summer Concert Series
Streaming On
Booking Inquiries
When you book The Jim Ocean Band, you get more than a great show—you get a trusted partner committed to helping your venue shine.
Kathy Ocean, kathy@oceanworksproductions.com, 707-869-9403
Bio
With a sound anchored in folk-rock tradition and propelled by bold, contemporary storytelling, the Jim Ocean Band brings a fresh, charged energy to the modern music scene. Led by veteran troubadour Jim Ocean and creative partner Kathy Ocean, the band is known for crafting songs that entertain while tackling some of the most urgent and fascinating topics of our time—climate awareness, scientific curiosity, social justice, and the complexities of the human heart.
Jim Ocean has spent decades shaping a body of work that blends humor, intellect, and emotional honesty. His songwriting roots stretch back to the early folk scenes of Northern California, where he honed a style that was equal parts mischievous, philosophical, and deeply compassionate. His past musical ventures—including the cult favorite Celtic Elvis—laid the foundation for a catalog of songs that defy easy categorization.
With Kathy Ocean—a dynamic vocalist, producer, and community-events leader—Jim found a partnership that amplified both his creativity and his reach. Together, they launched OceanWorks Productions, a collaborative hub for original music, educational concerts, and cultural programming that has enriched Northern California communities for over twenty years.
The formation of the Jim Ocean Band marked a new era. Their album FrankenClime, a collection of environmentally themed folk-rock tunes, showcases the band’s unique voice. While the topics are weighty, the music is anything but dour: vibrant guitar lines, tight harmonies, and a rhythmic drive infuse each track with levity, hope, and an undeniable sense of fun.
Onstage, the Jim Ocean Band transforms venues into spaces where audiences gather not just to hear music but to think, laugh, and feel part of something shared. Whether performing in theaters, clubs, outdoor festivals, or unconventional spaces like planetariums and redwood groves, their concerts double as community-building experiences.
With a signature blend of intelligence, groove, and heart, the Jim Ocean Band continues to carve out a powerful niche in American folk-rock: music that makes people move—and moves you to think.