Gil credits his keenness for jazz and blues to his family’s encouragement at an early age. Music was a staple within his household and the introduction of jazz is largely credited to his uncle. Drumming came naturally to him, and he thus launched his study within the drum corp environment. However, marching didn’t afford him the freedom of expression, jazz DID. Accordingly, he embarked on lessons with drummer Victor Smith, who toured with former CTI recording artist Esther Phillips. Gil began honing his jazz style with gigs while in high school. A few of his drum heroes were Max Roach, Steve Gadd and Billy Cobham, In fact, Cobham’s music is what drew him to jazz fusion.
Gil has performed with many R&B and jazz groups throughout the New York metropolitan area. They include “Inside Out”, “Fountain Street” and “Suite”. While with Suite, Gil enjoyed opening for the late Dizzy Gillespie with keyboardist Vincent Lyn. He has continued to perform with Mr. Lyn, and can be heard on several CD’s, including his current release “Heaven Bound”. One of the highlights coming with an appearance on the “Tracey Thomas World Jazz Tribute” television special, which also featured performances from Chuck Loeb, Chieli Minucci, Donald Harrison and Dave Valentine.
His Blues credits included Eran Troy Danner’s “Hot Dallas Night” and “Cobalt Rhythm Kings”, with whom he opened for such notables as the late Son Seals, Ron Levy, Ronnie Earl and Miss Etta James.
His jazz credits include the David Mills Trio, and fusion trio the George Lesiw Band. As the backbone of the Lesiw Band, Gil’s versatility is showcased on the trio’s breakout CD “Anuta was Here” and follow-up CD “Aurora Nights”. The band had a very successful 2006, after making their West Coast debut at Spaghettini’s Italian Grill and Jazz Club in Seal Beach, CA. Gil has since played a variety of venues from the legendary Baked Potato in North Hollywood, CA to Zebulon in Brooklyn, NY. In 2007, the band was named Jazz Search Winners of the 20th Annual Long Beach (CA) Jazz Festival, taking the main stage as the opening act on the closing day of the festival. The trio also can be heard on the Emmy Award winning Fox 11(LA) News’ “Songs Of Our Success” Black history specials (2007-2009).
Within the last 4 years, Gil has continued to add to his “Southern California” legacy with multiple performances at The Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival (2007- 2009) and corporate events like the Jackie Slater/Eric Dickerson Celebrity Golf Tournament (2007 and 2008). In addition Gil has served as a celebrity judge on drummer Eric Seats’ web based series “The Next Great Drummer” alongside music industry notables such as producer Shep Crawford, producer Gordon Campbell and producer/musician Jara Harris.
Forming his own signature group, the Hawkins Jazz Collective was just the next step in a natural progression. This is a musical departure from Gil’s familiar trio configurations. What’s NEW is… The addition of the horn section, which accents the fusion based rhythm section. Think Art Blakey meets Larry Coryell! The sextet is rounded out with Joshua Bruneau-Trumpet/Fluglehorn, Kris Jenson-Saxophones, Richard Goldstein-Guitar, Chris D’Angeles-Bass and, Adrian Tramontanto-Percussion, Gil is currently performing in the NY metropolitan area with a Wednesday night residency at “The Owl Shop” in New Haven, Connecticut