Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz

THE M C SWINGTET features some of the Midwest’s best jazz musicians and is known for its hard driving rhythm section and tight ensemble melodic lines. Madison Jazz Society president, Linda Marty Schmitz, said “The Milwaukee Connection is a swing group whose style is a creative extension of the hot swing and mainstream era with the classic instrumentation of the Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton sound.”

Guitarist Steve Lewandowski now leads the band, taking on the task on the heels of the release of his CD “Familiar Melodies” which features compelling original compositions highlighted by a Midwest jazz all-star line-up and Hedges' final studio performance. A prominent presence on Milwaukee's club scene, he has composed and arranged for his own trio and the Paul Spencer Band, house combo at Caroline's, a longtime Milwaukee jazz home.

Bob Maynard has been playing vibes for 55 years and has worked with some of the best musicians in the Midwest. Bob worked regularly with Chuck Hedges in Milwaukee for 10 years before Chuck's passing in 2010. He's featured on Chuck Hedges’ last two CD's entitled "Sweet and Lovely" and "Just for You" in addition to his own CD entitled "Stardust" with his quartet.

George Welland is one of the premier bass players in the Milwaukee area. He became the leader of the house band in the Crowne Room at Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel where he played with Mel Torme, Marian McPartland, Billy Eckstein, Rosemary Clooney, Pepper Adams and many more.

In the 70's and 80's, John Blegen worked in the Baltimore-Washington area with various bands. He appeared as a featured guest with the Buck Creek Jazz Band, Southern Comfort, the Federal Jazz Commission and the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble. Chuck Hedges chose Chicago-based John Blegen to replace him on clarinet.

Drummer Jack Carr is in demand as a tasteful and solid drummer. He first learned to play drums in the Indianapolis Newsboys’ Band, composed solely of newspaper carriers. He moved to Milwaukee area where he had a 35 year career in advertising and continued to play with local bands and to co-lead the Ron-Devillers/Jack Carr Big Band, which was the Green Bay Packer Band for many years.