The GIL Jazz Combo
Love of great music for great people
MILWAUKEE // CHICAGO // MINNEAPOLIS
About Us
We are a collaboration of well-known musicians and friends, who came together in 2019, to bring great music to people. Our playlist ranges from Ellington to Santana, and we bring a fresh take on the jazz standards that we all know and love. Like our name suggests, we bring the Genius of great writers, add Improvisations of our players, and share a Love of making great music with and for great people.
Joel Lehman
Band Leader, Trumpet, Vocals
Joel is a band leader, Monette trumpet player and vocalist from Chicago, currently living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Joel’s love of music came from his father, Gil Lehman, a trumpet player and band leader in Chicago. Gil travelled through the area in the 50’s and 60’s prior to taking the band director position at Wheaton North High School, where he is honored by an annual scholarship in his name. In addition to his dad, Joel’s trumpet influences are Miles Davis and Chuck Mangione, with additional inspiration by Chet Baker, both instrumentally and vocally.
Dwayne Williams
Bass Guitar
Dwayne is the man on the bass. Growing up in a musical family in Milwaukee, Dwayne was hooked when his dad brought home a bass for him to play. Dwayne has been inspired by masters like Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clark and Verdine White whom he once opened for, when Earth, Wind and Fire played Summerfest. Dwayne had a 30 year career in manufacturing prior to pursuing music full time and is known for his smooth and engaging feel on the instrument. He's popular locally for his work with Eddie Butts, Brian Dale, BD Greer, Tracy Hanneman and his longtime friend and collaborator, Warren Wiegratz.
Joe Conti
Percussion
Joe has played all over the world with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and has shared the stage, and many friendships with the world's greatest musicians. He played drums for the Pops, including under Doc Severenson and Marvin Hamlisch. Joe graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music and was part of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Band playing D.C. functions including the White House.
Sam Steffke
Keys
Sam is a native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After graduating from Boston's Berklee College of Music, Sam moved to Milwaukee and began a 40 year music career, during which he's been named pianist of the year three times. Sam has recorded two CDs, taught privately and manned the keyboard for local artists Manty Ellis, Penny Goodwin, Ellen Winters, Eddie Butts and others. His is the featured keyboardist in Tracy Hanneman's Powered by 5 and led Chick Singer night at Caroline's Jazz Club from the keys for over 15 years. Inspired by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Bruce Hornsby and Bud Powell, Sam's playing brings wonderful variety and color to the band.
