Chuck Hedges was born in Chicago. He received his "long pants" as a young man playing with jazz greats George Brunies, Muggsy Spanier, and Danny Alvin. He moved to Milwaukee in the '60's and was part of the great Dick Ruedebusch Band, which appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Hedges recorded many records with Ruedebusch.

Chuck has made his home in Milwaukee and plays locally at the Red Mill and Selen's Restaurants, plus many concerts in the Midwest. He has performed with his Swingtet at Andy's in Chicago on Monday nights for over 14 years.

He also travels from Milwaukee all over the world. He played with the late Wild Bill Davison all over the European continent, England and Ireland and now is performing with Tommy Saunders' Wild Bill Davison Legacy Band. His recordings can be found at Amazon.com or directly at concerts and festivals where he plays.

In addition to his Swingtet, Chuck has recorded with pianist Johnny Varro, Trumpeter and bandleader Tommy Saunders & the Wild Bill Davison Legacy Band, and pianist Eddie Higgins. There are many more recordings with other bands on Arbor Records.

Festivals played: Sacramento Jazz Jubilee -20 years; Central Illinois Jazz Festival/Decatur, IL -22 years; Bern Switzerland Jazz Festival; Sweet & Hot Los Angeles Festival -20 years; Cork Ireland Festival; North Germany Festival; March of Jazz, Florida; Dusseldorf Jazz Festival, Germany; Chicago Jazz Fest; Quebec Jazz Fest; Milwaukee Jazz Festival; Holiday Acres, Rhinelander, WI -20 years.

Chuck is dedicated to the clarinet. He believes that the clarinet is the "King" or the "Queen" of the reed instruments and has spent most of his life attempting to produce what he believes is a fine sound, good technique and a jazz feel. He admires Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Edmund Hall, Hank Dimico, Jimmy Noone, Jimmy Hamilton, Peanuts Hucko, Bob Wilber, Ken Peplowski, Kim Cusack, Allan Vaché, Abe Most, Buddy Defranco and all other believers.

Chuck also heads the Chicago Swingtet and travels all over the world with his Benny Goodman-style group.

Chuck Hedges is featured in the Riverwalk program: