The Cobalt Rhythm Kings!
Gil Hawkins Jr. -- drums
Gil, the source of the beat that keeps The Cobalt Rhythm Kings' blood pumping, is a native of Norwalk, Connecticut who has lived for many years in New Haven. He has played drums with various jazz and blues groups throughout Southern Connecticut over the years.
He began his training with drummer Victor Smith, who toured with CTI recording artist Esther Phillips in the late 70's. During the 1980's, he was heard with the Jazz trio "Inside Out," and R&B band "Suite."
While Gil was with Suite, the group opened for the late Dizzy Gillespie at the former "Taste New Haven Festival." There, he met keyboard player/action-film actor Vincent Lyn (Jackie Chan's villain in the film "Operation Condor.")
Gil subsequently performed with Lyn throughout the nineties in Lyn's contemporary Jazz quartet, "Wing Sing," With Wing Sing, Gil was seen nationally on the "Tracy Thomas World Jazz Tribute "(1997) television special alongside Chuck Loeb, Chieli Minucci, Donald Harrison and Dave Valentine.
A busy man whose skills are in demand, Gil also has performed in the recent past with two Jazz-Fusion groups: the "Anuta & George Band" -- a Cobalt relative co-fronted by founding former Cobalt guitarist George Lesiw -- and "Steve Husted's Big Five Bass: Jazz for the New Millenium."
He also can be found playing these days with the "Hot Dallas Night" blues trio.
When not behind his kit, you might find Gil at work as a planner for the city of New Haven or out watching his other real passion: NASCAR auto racing.
Vrrrrrrrooooooooooommm!!!!!!
Wendell Jones Mark Zaretsky Greg Benn
For more information, to join the Cobalt e-mail list or to book The Cobalt Rhythm Kings, call 203-415-1670 or e-mail: info(at)cobaltrhythmkings.com .
