We Six
We Six officially formed in 2002, though many of the band members had been working together since the mid-1980s. The original lineup, which included tenor saxophonist Berkeley Fudge, trumpeter Mike Plog, guitarist Paul Silbergleit, pianist Mark Davis, bassist Jeff Hamann, and drummer Dave Bayles, recorded the album Bird Say in 2005. Although the group performed as a unit, often showcasing original compositions, the members were more often heard in other configurations with a wide range of musicians or leading their own groups. Over the years, the sextet evolved slightly. Jamie Breiwick took over for Mike Plog on trumpet, followed by Eric Jacobson, and currently Gabriel Wade plays trumpet with the group. After Berkeley suffered a stroke in 2010, a succession of saxophonists joined the group, including Eric Schoor, Chicago-based Scott Burns, and, currently, Juli Wood. In 2020, We Six released the album Vivid Dreams on the Blujazz label. The group has appeared in concert with special guests such as Benny Golson, Phil Woods, and Brian Lynch.
Berkeley Fudge (tenor saxophonist), born on November 28, 1937, is a legendary Milwaukee jazz musician. https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/mke-jazz-history/berkeley-fudge
Juli Wood (saxophonist and vocalist) was born on June 26, 1959, in Muskego, WI. She was based in Milwaukee before relocating to Chicago in 1996, where she is an in-demand performer. She also serves as an ensemble instructor at Milwaukee Jazz Institute.
https://www.juliwoodsax.com/ https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/juli-wood
Dave Bayles (drummer) was born in Skokie, Illinois, in 1964, but moved to Milwaukee with his family while in grade school. He is one of the most in-demand drummers in the region and teaches at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin—Parkside. https://davebaylesmusic.com https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/dave-bayles
Paul Silbergleit (guitarist) was born in Milwaukee on January 2, 1968, but grew up in Fargo, ND. He returned to Milwaukee after graduating from Oberlin College. He has released several albums as a leader, including The Hidden Standard (2020), which features the We Six lineup with Schoor and Jacobson.
https://paulsilbergleit.com https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/paul-silbergleit
Mike Plog (trumpeter) was born in 1968 and grew up in Green Bay, WI. He attended Berklee College of Music and, during the 1990s, performed and recorded with the Luis Diaz Quintet and his own groups.
Jeff Hamann (bassist) was born on June 15, 1968, and grew up in Brookfield, WI. He is one of the busiest bassists on the Milwaukee jazz scene and performed for many years on the nationally syndicated radio show Whad'Ya Know?
https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/jeff-hamann
Mark Davis (pianist) was born in Milwaukee on April 3, 1969. He is a co-founder of the Milwaukee Jazz Institute, the author of the Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method Books 1 and 2, and a member of the jazz faculty at Northern Illinois University. https://www.markdavismusic.com https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/mark-davis
Eric Jacobson (trumpeter), born in Racine, WI, in 1975 into a family of trumpeters, has released albums on Origin Records, and toured around the country. https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com
Jamie Breiwick (trumpet), born in Racine, WI, on August 19, 1978, is a creative force in Milwaukee—leading innovative jazz groups, designing graphics for major jazz labels, and teaching music at The Prairie School.
Eric Schoor (tenor saxophonist) was born on May 21, 1990, and grew up in Kenosha, WI. While attending the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, he connected with members of We Six and soon joined the group. He moved to Charleston, SC in 2019.
Gabriel Wade (trumpeter), a Little Rock, Arkansas native, was born on August 6, 2001. He has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, Bobby Watson, and numerous Chicago-area ensembles, and currently serves on the jazz faculty at UW–Madison.
https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/faculty-staff/gabriel-wade
Listen to We Six perform Mark Davis's composition "Vivid Dreams," featuring Eric Jacobson on trumpet, Eric Schoor on tenor saxophone, Paul Silbergleit on guitar, Mark Davis on piano, Jeff Hamann on bass, and Dave Bayles on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggNBgMR2IGY
