"Shakin'" Jake Woods, also known as Shakey Jake, is a legend in Ann Arbor. He was often seen downtown busking for dollars, playing his guitar, and singing.
Shaky Jake died on September 16, 2007, at the age of 82.
The Video
A number of years ago as a student in the Film and Video department at the University of Michigan a fellow student, Beau Warren, suggested making a video about Shakey Jake Beau, along with Aaeron Jefferson and myself made a video by following Jake around and also interviewing him. Jake was most cooperative and seemed to enjoy the whole experience, The video is now on You Tube. --Bob Ruskin
Message From a Relative
My name is Ron Frierson Jr. I'm a resident of Los Angeles. However, I am a native of Saginaw Michigan. Believe it or not. I am a relative of Jake Woods (Shakey Jake). Jake was the youngest brother of my Great Grandfather, Robert Woods. Jake was the last surviving sibling. My great-grandfather died in the 50's. My great-grandmother, his wife, never remarried. Her name was Elizabeth Woods and she was the foundation of our family. She died in January 2006. Jake was always a "different bird", but was beloved by all of us. My aunt who lives in Ann Arbor visits him from time to time. Its funny, but she says that Jake was always too busy to talk. However, he was always sure to ask about Liz, my great-grandmother and Emma, who is my grandmother.
Its kinda strange yet cool that people in the Ann Arbor community loved Jake so much. He loved Ann Arbor too. I'll ask my Grandmother about memorial services and I'll let you know what I learn.
BTW, I met Jake twice in my life. Once when I was a kid he came to my grandmother's house, dressed really weird. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. The other time, he was sitting at my great-grandmothers kitchen table eating and talking. Again, he was dressed really weird but I had heard enough about him by that time not to be shocked. He was the closest thing I had to knowing what my great-grandfather looked like. As for Jake, his heart was pure, and he was 100% comfortable with himself.
Thanks,
rf
External Links
- The Late, Great, Shaky Jake, Urban Oasis, Sept 20 2007.
- Shakey Jake, On the Move to the Great Beyond, Monkey Daemon, Sept 19 2007.
- We'll Miss You Jake, Rachel Harkai, Sept 19 2007.
- Shaky Jake, Linda Diane Feldt, Sept 18 2007.
- Remembering Ann Arbor's Shaky Jake, Michigan is Amazing, September 18 2007.
- Photo by Ryan Hoover, October 2000
- Remembering Shakey Jake, video by Jo Mathis, Ann Arbor News on YouTube
- Four Blues-Based Iconoclasts, HARP Magazine, Jan/Feb 2007.
- Man of Colors, photo by Zac-Attack, Flickr, taken June 4 2006
- RIP Shakey Jake, Todd Mundt, Sept 18 2007
- Shakey Jake Festival and BBQ, Saginaw MI, Sept 29 2007
- On The Move, arwulf arwulf review of Shaky Jake CD via allmusic
- On The Move (MP3s), WFMU Radio review of Shaky Jake CD.
- Friends recall larger than life persona of Shaky Jake, Ann Arbor News Sept 17 2007.
- Shaky Jake dies Sunday at the age of 82, Ann Arbor News Sept 17 2007.
- 365 Days JUNE 20 #171 - a song, picture and famous bumper sticker "I Brake for Jake"
- LiveJournal entry - picture and link to NPR real audio story.
- Facebook Shaky Jake group
- [1] You Tube video of Shakey Jake