MKE Jazz Musicians

The Milwaukee Jazz Institute aims to highlight jazz musicians with ties to Milwaukee. The musicians listed below either spent their formative years in Milwaukee, lived in the area as working musicians, or currently reside in the region and are professionally active in the jazz scene.

If you would like to be included, please email your name, instrument, and personal website (if you have one) to andrea@milwaukeejazzinstitute.org.

• Aaron, Abe – saxophone (b. 1910 – d. 1970)

• Aaron, Joe - clarinet and saxophone (b. 1919 - d. 2013)

• Aaron, Rick - flute

• Adames, Carlos - percussion | https://www.carlosadames.com/

• Adams, Ernie – drums | https://www.ernieadamsmusic.com/

• Adedapo, Adekola - vocals

• Aldred, Alec - trumpet | https://www.alecaldred.com/

• Alexander, Hattush - tenor saxophone (b. 1927 - d. 1992)

• Allen, Carl – drums | https://carlallen.com/

• Allen, Eddie – trumpet | https://eddieallen.net/

• Allen, Jackie - vocals | https://jackieallen.com/

• Allison, Jay - trombone

• Anderson, Al - bass

• Anderson, Jay - tenor saxophone

• Anderson, S.A. - piano

• Antonic, Tommy - guitar

• Antoniewicz, Matt - trumpet

• Appleton, “Killer” Ray - drums (b. 1941 - d. 2015) | https://killerrayappleton.net/

• Armato, Sam - clarinet and saxophone (b.1916 – d. 2014)

• Armstead, Rolla - saxophone

• Arnold, Michael - guitar

• Arriale, Lynne - piano | https://www.lynnearriale.com/

• Artis, Martha - piano and vocals (b. 1919 - d. 2017)

• Asch, Glenn - violin and viola 

• Babbitt, John - bass

• Baca, Alec - trumpet

• Bailey, Bert - clarinet and saxophone (deceased)

• Baker, Eddie - piano (b. 1927 - d. 2018)

• Ballesteros, George - bass 

• Banks, Lem - vocals (b. 1941 - d. 2020)

• Barber, Lynn - vocals (deceased)

• Bardele, Neal - piano

• Barnett, John - tenor saxophone

• Baugher, Randy - drums

• Bayles, Dave - drums | https://davebaylesmusic.com/

• Belton, Sam - drums

• Benavides, Bony - percussion

• Bender, Ethan - bass

• Benton, James - bass (deceased)

• Berigan, Kaye - trumpet

• Betz, Mike - trumpet

• Bey, Skip Crumby - bass (b. 1937 - d. 2004)

• Bixler, David - alto saxophone | https://www.davidbixler.com/

• Black, Milton Clifford "Pinky" - piano (b. 1906 - 1998)

• Black, Scott - bass

• Blaney, Henry - piano | henryblaneymusic.com

• Blochowiak, Andy - drums

• Bond, Wendell - drums (deceased)

• Bonifas, Bill - guitar | https://www.billbonifas.com/

• Bordeaux, Baltimore - drums (b. 1936 - d. 2002)

• Bordeaux, Reggie - drums

• Braith, George (born George Braithwaite) - saxophone and Braithophone

• Braun, Dave - guitar

• Breiwick, Jamie - trumpet | https://jamiebreiwick.net/

• Britz, Mike - bass

• Brotherhood, Roger – guitar | https://www.flatnine.com/home.html

• Budny, Bob - drums

• Buendia, Nick - bass

• Burdette, Bobby - tenor saxophone (b.1926 - d. 1999)

• Burrows, Lee - bass (b. 1937 - d. 2003)

• Cain, Jackie - vocals (b. 1928 - d. 2014)

• Calarco, John - drums | https://johnnycee.com/

• Caldwell, Mike - saxophone

• Campbell, Victor - drums

• Cannon, Gerald – bass | https://www.cannonmusicnart.com/

• Carr, Jack - drums

• Carr, John - drums

• Catania, Josh - piano | https://www.joshuacataniamusic.com

• Catral, Sam - guitar 

• Chambers, Jeff - bass (b. 1955 - d. 2021)

• Chandek, Neal - piano and trumpet (b. 1955 - d. 2022)

• Christensen, Gary - bass

• Chudnow, Yanni - drums

• Clark, Donovan - drums, bass, piano, and guitar

• Clark, Everett “Skip” - piano and guitar (b. 1922 - death year unknown)

• Cohen, Steve - harmonica | https://www.stevecohenblues.com/

• Colvin, Jimmy - saxophone (b. 1912 - d. 2004)

• Contorno, Nick - saxophone (b. 1938 - d. 2014)

• Covic, Mitar “Mitch” - bass

• Cowen, Leigh - piano

• Crabtree, Rich - pianist (b. 1934 - d. 2011)

• Crain, Chris - vocals and piano | https://chriscrain1music.com/

• Crook, Arron - vocals | https://crookandcompany.com/

• Crosby, Thomas - drums (b. 1950 - d. 2019)

• Cross, Joey - vocals (d. 2016)

• Cucunato, Lou - piano

• Cunningham, Marcia - vocals (b. 1951 - d. 2021)

• Currier, Scott - piano

• Czimber, Les - piano (b. 1934 - 2020)

• Dallas, James - saxophone

• Dameron, Ben - guitar | https://www.bendameronmusic.com/

• Dance, Dan - piano

• Daneille, Marcya - vocals | https://www.marcyadaneille.com/

• Davis, Anne - vocals

• Davis Jr., Charles - tenor saxophone

• Davis Sr., Charles - trumpet (deceased)

• Davis, Mark - piano | https://www.markdavismusic.com/

• Davis, Mary - vocals and keyboard (b. 1946 - d. 2019)

• Davis, Neil - guitar | https://www.neildavisguitar.com/

• Davis, Vince - drums

• Davison, “Wild Bill” - cornet (b. 1906 - d.1989)

• Denison, Annie - vocals

• Deutsch, Anthony - piano and vocals

• Devereaux, Nelson - saxophone | https://www.nelsondevereauxmusic.com

• DeVillers, Ron - trumpet (b. 1929 - d. 2022)

• Diaz, Luis “Flaco” - percussion

• Dizack, Philip – trumpet | https://www.philipdizack.com/

• Dolister, Joe - bass

• Dominguez (DeMiles), Frank - piano (b. 1931 – d. 2019)

• Dominguez, John - bass

• Dominguez, Peter - bass | https://peterdominguezmusic.com/

• Dorsey, Claude - piano and vocals (b. 1914 - d. 2010)

• Dorsey, Floyd - vocals (b. 1940 - d. 2017)

• Draeger, Herb - trombone (b. 1914 - d. 2007)

• Drobka, Devin - drums | https://www.devindrobka.com/

• Dudley, Jimmy - saxophone and clarinet (b. 1903 - d. 1971)

• Duncan, Jimmy - drums (deceased)

• Ebert, Doug - bass

• Einerson, Steve - piano

• Elgar, Charles - violin (b. 1879 – d. 1973)

• Eliot, Dick - guitar | https://www.dickeliot.com

• Eliot, Don - bass (b. 1933 - d. 2017)

• Ellis, Manty – guitar

• Estremera, Tael - piano, drums, bass, trumpet

• Fabre, Tom - tenor saxophone (b. 1940 - d. 2007)

• Fabus, Jason - alto sax

• Falcone Paris, Suzanne - vocals

• Farinelli, Jeanne Marie - tenor saxophone

• Fettig, Sam - tenor saxophone | https://www.samfettigmusic.com/

• Foshager, John - piano and trombone

• Foster, Lee - drums and club owner

• Fox, Christian - drums 

• Fox, Thomas Elmer "Tommy" - bandleader (b. 1903 - death year unknown)

• Fudge, Berkeley - tenor saxophone and flute

• Garcia, Greg - trumpet

• Garofalo, Peter - piano

• Gay, Frank - trumpet (b. 1928 - d. 2012)

• Gay, Leonard - saxophone (b. 1908 - d. 1975)

• Germanson, Rick – piano | http://www.rickgermanson.com/

• Gibson, Charlene - vocals

• Gies, Jeanne - vocals

• Gillette, Jason - alto saxophone

• Goldsmith, Jason - saxophone

• Goodwin, Penny - vocals

• Gordon, Frank – trumpet (b. 1938 – d. 2023)

• Grassel, Jack - guitar | https://www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/

• Grauer, Connie - piano | https://mrsfun.com/connie-grauer/

• Green, Bunky - alto saxophone (b. 1933 – d. 2025)

• Green, Will - organ (deceased)

• Greenstein, Jonathan - tenor saxophone | https://jonathangreenstein.com/

• Greer, Briana "B.D." - vocals | https://www.bdgreer.com/

• Gribble, Cliff - educator

• Grillo, Jerry - vocals | http://www.jerrygrillo.com/

• Grimwood, Robert - piano

• Grzanna, Suzanne - saxophone and vocals | https://saxdiva.com/

• Gumin, Joe - drums (b 1898 - d. 1969)

• Gumina, Tommy - accordion (b. 1931 - d. 2013)

• Haas, Augie - trumpet | https://www.augiehaas.com/

• Hamann, Jeff - bass | https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/jeff-hamann

• Hammer, Gabriel - drums, guitar, and piano

• Hanrahan, Curt - saxophone

• Harris, Chris - vocals

• Hatch, Faith - vocals 

• Hauck, Jessie - vocals (b. 1937 - d. 1995)

• Hauer, Joe - piano

• Hazeltine, David – piano | https://www.davidhazeltine.com/

• Hedges, Chuck - clarinet (b. 1932 – d. 2010)

• Heilmann, Matt - trumpet and organ 

• Held, Liv - vocals | https://www.livheldproductions.com/

• Herman, Woody - clarinet, alto saxophone, vocals (b. 1913 - d. 1987)

• Hervey, Eric - bass guitar

• High, John - saxophone

• Hill, Lemuel “Ace” - piano (b. 1928 - d. 2005)

• Hobbs, Bob – drums (b. 1942 – d. 2023)

• Holt, Benjamin - bass

• Horn, Fred - tenor sax

• Howell, Billy - trumpet and trombone (deceased)

• Ipsen, Tim - bass

• Jacobson, Eric - trumpet | https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/

• Jarreau, Al - vocals (b. 1940 – d. 2017)

• Jensen, Tony - piano

• Johnson, Allen - trumpet

• Johnson, Billy - bass | https://billyjohnsonbass.wordpress.com/

• Johnson, Hannah - drums | https://hannahjohnsonmusic.com/

• Johnson, Keith - piano

• Johnson, Mark - drums

• Johnson, Russ - trumpet | http://www.russjohnsonmusic.net/

• Johnson, Scat - vocals and guitar (b. 1915 – d. 1995)

• Jones, Holder - trumpet (b. 1924 - d. 1986)

• Jones, Isaiah - piano

• Jones, Rick - trumpet

• Jones, Romarcus - drums

• Kaczmarek, Jim - saxophone and flute | https://www.eventhorizonband.net/

• Kavemeier, Denis – guitar | https://www.magicalmotion.com/denis

• Ketchum, Walt - trumpet (b. 1932 - d. 2011)

• Kidd, Sam - bass (b. 1931 – d. 2025)

• King, Tony - piano (d. 1990)

• Kirchberger, John - saxophone

• Kral, Joe - piano

• Klopfer, Dennis - piano

• Koenig, Art - bass (deceased)

• Kozlowski, Harry - trombone

• Krause, Rick - drums

• Kremer, Rich - bass

• Krueger, Grant - piano (b. 1925 - d. 2008)

• Kunsmann, Heinzel - piano

• Kuzniar, Jeremy - drums

• LaBeau, Lucas - piano

• LaGrone, James - trombone (b. 1954 - d. 2020)

• Lalli, Luigi “Lou" - drums (b. 1932 - d. 1985)

• Lange, Larry - sax and flute

• Latta, Corynn - vocals | https://www.corynnlatta.com/

• Lea, Dean - piano

• Ledvina, Charles - bass

• Lehman, Joel - trumpet and vocals | www.joellehmanmusic.com

• Lewandowksi, Steve - guitar

• Lile, Malcolm - bass 

• Lindsey, Gerald - bass

• Linke, Don - guitar and bass

• LoDuca, Andy - drums

• Longreen, Cody - trumpet

• Lynch, Brian - trumpet | https://hollisticmusicworks.com/

• Macy (Maciolek), Heather – vocals

• Maglio, Santo - piano

• Maher, Mike "Maz" – trumpet and vocals | https://www.mikemazmaher.com/

• Maio, Randy - drums 

• Marcus, Greg - piano

• Martin, Bill - guitar

• Martinson, Ron - piano (b.1934 - d. 2021)

• Mayfield, Nathan - trumpet | https://jazzmen.net/

• McGirr, Tom - bass

• Meixner, Matt - piano and keyboards | https://mattmeixner.wordpress.com/

• Merriweather, Theo - piano

• Milano, Constantine "Connie" - bass and vocals (b. 1927 - d. 2008)

• Miller, Harold "Hal" - bass

• Millonzi, Sig - piano (b. 1924 – d. 1977)

• Mollerskov, Jay - guitar

• Momblow, Don - guitar (b. 1920 – d. 1989)

• Monreal, Silvano “Sal” - drums and club owner

• Montgomery, Charles "Buddy" - piano and vibes (b. 1930 – d. 2009)

• Moore, Perry - alto saxophone (deceased)

• Moore, Tina - vocals (b. 1938 - d. 2021)

• Morgan, Frank - alto saxophone (b. 1933 – d. 2007)

• Moroder, Rudy - piano (b. 1928 - d. 2015)

• Mroz, Jon - bass

• Murray, Luke - guitar | https://lukemurraymusic.com/

• Myles, Gervis - bass

• Napoli, Leiko - piano

• Napoli, Scott - drums

• Nedobeck, Don - clarinet (b. 1935 - d. 2020)

• Neesley, Andrew - trumpet

• Negrón Jr, Cecilio – percussion (d. 2023)

• Nehmer, Wilford "Bill" - trumpet (b. 1925 - d. 2005)

• Neufeld, Sam - trumpet

• Newburg, Tom - saxophone

• Niemann, Joe - trumpet

• Nimmer, Dan – piano | https://www.dannimmer.com/

• Ovanin, Dylan - saxophone

• Padilla, Johnny - alto saxophone

• Pagano, Tony - saxophone and flute

• Patterson, Patrick - bass guitar

• Paolo, Jim - bass

• Pauers, Mike - baritone saxophone

• Paul, Les - guitar (b. 1915 - d. 2009)

• Peplin, Steve - guitar

• Peppas, Chris - vocals and percussion

• Petta, Perry - piano

• Pflughoeft, Nathan - guitar

• Phillips, Jeff “Omar” - drums

• Phillips, Liam - bass

• Pickens, Willie - piano (b. 1931 - d. 2017)

• Pietrangelo, Jeff - trumpet (b. 1952 – d. 2013)

• Piette, Ben - drums

• Pitts, Beverly - organ (b. 1936 - d. 2017)

• Plog, Mike - trumpet

• Pluer, Robin - vocals

• Praefke, Al - drums (b. 1931 - d. 1971)

• Price, John - bass (b. 1961 - d. 2024)

• Pritchett, George - guitar (b. 1931 - d. 1987)

• Pufall, Molly - vocals

• Pulice, Mark - drums

• Puzzullo, Francis “Frank” - piano (b. 1940 - d. 2022)

• Ramos, Toty - guitar (d. 2024)

• Rattner, Jordan - guitar

• Rebholz, Bob - saxophone and flute

• Reed, Mary - piano and vocals (deceased)

• Reichert, Kenny - guitar | https://www.kennyreichert.com/

• Rhyne, Melvin - organ (b. 1936 - d. 2013)

• Rice, Jack - bass (deceased)

• Richards, Todd - guitar and bass

• Richter, Jake - drums | https://www.jakerichterdrums.com/

• Rideout, Ray - alto sax

• Ritter, Brian - drums

• Robinson, Marcus - piano (deceased)

• Robinson, Sonya - violin

• Rossetto, Russell - trombone

• Rottker-Lynn, Matthew - guitar | https://www.matthewrljazz.com/

• Ruedebusch, Dick - trumpet (b. 1925 - d. 1968)

• Rush, Tim - percussion

• Saafir, Dumah - percussion

• Safir, Pete - piano

• Samuelson, Kyle - trombone

• Sanchez, Joey - bass

• Sanders, Joe – bass | https://www.themusicofjoesanders.com/

• Sandquist, Tom - piano, keyboards, and organ | https://www.tomsandquistkeys.com/

• Sargent, Bill - drums | https://billsargent.com/

• Schaefgen, Bill - trombone (b. 1940 - d. 2016)

• Schaub, Clay - bass | https://clayschaub.com/

• Schick, Mike - drums

• Schneck, Dan - organ (b. 1978 - d. 2024)

• Schoepke, Dave - drums | https://daveschoepke.com/

• Schoor, Eric - tenor saxophone

• Schumm, Andy - cornet and piano | https://www.chicagocellarboys.com/

• Shaw, Jamill - tenor sax | https://www.jazzflux.com/

• Sheridan, Tommy - piano (b. 1917 - d. 2000)

• Sheriff, Chavis "Little Beau" - saxophone (b. 1924 - d. 1984)

• Sherwood, Scott - guitar (b. 1963 - d. 2009)

• Siegel, Bob - bass (b. 1953 – d. 2021)

• Sievert, Francis Edwin “Sonny”- trombone (b. 1909 - d. 1965)

• Silbergleit, Paul - guitar | https://paulsilbergleit.com/

• Simons, Isaiah - bass

• Simons, John - bass

• Simpson, Lenard - alto saxophone | https://lenardsimpsonmusic.com/

• Simpson, Rodney - guitar

• Small, Charles - guitar

• Smirl, Terry - drums

• Smith, Cladys “Jabbo” - trumpet, trombone, and vocals (b. 1908 - d. 1991)

• Smith, Darrell - piano

• Smith, Dick - drums (b. 1925 - death year unknown)

• Sodke, Jim - piano | https://www.jsodkepianolessons.com/

• Solveson, Mark - bass

• Somlai, Jeno - drums, piano, organ

• Soward, Victor - drums (b. 1947 - d. 2002)

• Spann, Cameron - drums

• Spencer, Paul - drums and club owner

• Sponcia, Dr. Kristin - pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger | http://kristinsponcia.com

• Staehler, Elizabeth - piano and vocals

• Standal, Mike - guitar

• Steffke, Sam - piano | http://www.pianosam.com/

• Stoler, Dave - piano | https://davestoler.com/

• Stoll, Jeff – keyboard and vocals

• Stone, Bill - guitar

• Strasser, Bailey - trombone

• Stuermer, Daryl - guitar | https://darylstuermer.com/

• Sullivan, Mike - guitar

• Sutton, Tierney – vocals | https://tierneysutton.com/

• Swan, Angie - guitar

• Syme, Doug - guitar

• Tabs, Ray - piano (b. 1938 – d. 2022)

• Taddy, Wayne - piano (b. 1932 - d. 2004)

• Tardy, Greg - tenor saxophone | https://www.gregorytardy.com/

• Tardy, Joanne - vocals (b. 1940 - d. 2022)

• Tardy, Melvin Jr. - trumpet

• Tate, Dick - vocals

• Tatnall, Kirk - guitar | https://kirktatnall.com/

• Tato, Leo - drums

• Thierfelder, Mark - piano and trumpet | https://janmarkmusic.com

• Tilton, Steve - piano

• Todd, Jason - tenor saxophone 

• Tomasicyk, Jake - trombone

• Torcivia, Ted - trombone

• Tresp, Larry - bass

• Trim, Andrew - guitar

• Turano, Joe - saxophone and vocals | https://joeturano.com/

• Van Oudenallen, Aaron - tenor saxophone

• VanZeeland, Dan - piano

• Velleman, Barry - piano

• Vlasis, Frank - piano (b. 1938 - d. 2022)

• Wagner, Bart - drums

• Waite, Garrett - guitar | https://www.garrettwaite.com/

• Wake, David - piano

• Wallace, Billy - piano (b. 1929 - d. 2017)

• Walzer, Rosemary - saxophone | https://rosemaryandtimejazz.com/

• Washington, George - bass

• Weathers, Carmen - bass (deceased)

• Weber, Jon - pianist

• Weidman, Paul - bass (b. 1928 - d. 2009)

• Weitzer, Jerry - piano

• Welland, George - bass (b. 1942 – d. 2025)

• Westfahl, Paul - percussion

• Whalen, Tim - piano | https://timothywhalen.com/

• White, Mary – vocals (b. 1936 - d. 2021)

• Whyte, Loretta - piano, organ, vocals (b. 1911 - d. 2008)

• Wiegratz, Warren - saxophone

• Wiele, Ken - trombone  

• Willette, Roosevelt “Baby Face” - organ (b. 1933 – d. 1971)

• Williams, Gary – guitar

• Winters Reynolds, Ellen - vocals | https://www.ellenwinters.com/

• Wood, Juli - saxophone and vocals | https://www.juliwoodsax.com/

• Woodall, Donna - vocals | https://www.donnawoodall.com/

• Woodall, Jeanne - vocals (b. 1945 - d. 2011)

• Young, Bernie (born Oscar Bernie Young) - cornet (b. 1898 - d. 1952)

• Zaffiro, John - guitar

• Zarcone, Joe - drums

• Zenz, Art - trumpet (b. 1927 - d. 2020)

• Zenz, Steve - drums

• Zick, Kim - drums | https://mrsfun.com/