upStandard Citizen a noun referring to any musician who, at the point of actual music-making, is backing up Nathan Carls.  It’s very similar to how any airplane on which the president is an occupant is called Air Force One.  Occasionally these gentlemen refer to themselves as the “unstandard”, or (my personal favorite) “substandard” Citizens.

        Nathan Carls was born with that name, but The upStandard Citizens was derived from the idea that we were upstanding citizens singing and playing the great American standards.  Carrie said it was clever enough, so I was allowed to keep it.  The misplaced capital “S” is deliberate, emphasizing the style of music.
        The concept of this enterprise is not a new one.  Having been a performer in one form or another for most of my life, I had the itch for a band for years before I actually asked anybody to be involved.  I had been relatively successful performing as a solo or duo act with Carrie for a few years prior to starting the band.  We’d use backing tracks, and these programs went over pretty well, but something was definitely lacking…for me anyway.
        In the spring of 2005 I decided it was time to stop “wishing that was me” and get up and do something.  I asked 3 people – a pianist, a drummer, and a bassist – and got 3 quick answers of yes.  Imagine my delight!  I mean how crazy is this?  All I had to do was ask.  It was as though this was waiting for me all the time.  Funny thing, though, none of these folks had ever played jazz.  By some definitions, I suppose, I had never really sung it either.  But we would adapt.
        I could not have been more thrilled, and during rehearsals I found myself not being able to sing very well.  I couldn’t form the words because I was seriously grinning from ear to ear.  I think it may have been stuck that way!  Well, there are worse ways for your face to be stuck, I suppose.  Our first public show was in August that same year, opening to a crowd of about 85 in a space that should seat 50.  It was so awesome to see people going back to their cars to get a lawn chair, or some such.  That is, they had to bring their own seat to have a seat!  The room was proverbially-packed liked sardines.  It was so great.
        We didn’t actually take off after that, but we played enough out, and continued to rehearse.  I suppose we played enough to be satisfied, though.  None of us was looking for a career change.  It was definitely just a hobby.  Both my bassist and pianist were spread pretty thin already.  Not musically, but with their work and other interests, and my drummer was in high school.  I think he thought it was pretty cool to get paid for playing, though.  Well, didn’t we all?!  Just three years later now, as of this writing, and the personnel have changed a couple times over.
        My first pianist, Paula Hill, is a tremendous gal.  This is a person who has no problem telling you no, but the chances that you ever actually hear that from her are not very good.  She’s a very generous person to help you out when asked.  She’ll either be able to, or not.  It’s very simple.  It’s a rare occasion that she plays for me anymore, but she does accompany the Christian all-female group, Higher Degree, wherein Carrie is one-third of the vocal trio.
        The first bass-playing upStandard was Mike Post.  Mike was the quintessential good-ol-boy in my mind’s eye.  The first time I saw him play, I loved him.  It was many years before I would actually meet him, but here was this guy who just filled the stage with such energy and playfulness.  One of the coolest things I ever got to do with Mike was personally fly him to Rockford, Illinois, to play for a wedding.  He had a show to do that night in Jacksonville, Illinois.  Now if you look at a map, you’ll see that Rockford is in northern IL, and Jacksonville is in central IL…and Illinois is a pretty long state!  So the timing was pretty tight.  I don’t remember the actual times, but we made it up and back without a hitch, and he was on stage by curtain time, slapping away.
        Drumming for me was Adam Brewer.  As mentioned, Adam was in high school at the time.  A sophomore, I believe.  A good drummer.  Very straightforward approach, and great timing.  He was a joy to have around.  High school is a time, though, when other interests…how shall we say…easily catch your eye.  Pretty soon I had to look for another drummer.
        Along the way, Mike got busy, too, and had to bow out.  Next bass man – Rob Killam from Jacksonville, IL.  I met Rob at an event in Jacksonville, where we were both playing.  We had a mutual acquaintance, so had a little commonality already.  I introduced myself and asked if I could call on him at some point, if necessary.  This was November of 2005, and by April of 2006, Rob was installed.  Still needing a drummer, I found Jack Hollada in Virginia, IL.  “Doc,” as he is known to most given his chiropractic prowess, is by far one of the nicest individuals I have ever known.  A one-man show in his own right, Jack entertains at various conventions – The Solid Axle Corvette Club being his favorite affiliation (www.solidaxle.org).  Doc also plays various instruments with various ensembles around central Illinois, like the Jazz Magic Trio and Judy Kaye and Friends.
        Meeting Rob Killam opened me up to a whole new world of musicians.  I’m not sure I even knew of this world, to be honest.  The whole “band thing” was still pretty new to me.  I had no idea, really, where to go from where I was.  I went to see Rob at Muggsy’s in Jacksonville where he was playing as the Rob Killam Trio or maybe The Straight Ahead Trio.  Not sure.  What I have found funny about these ensembles is the name is determined by who booked the gig or what combination of personnel are involved.  Anyway, he was intense.  Honestly I couldn’t tell if he was in pain or just really focused.  Man, he could play.  And I thought, “Wow!  He’s going to play for me?”  Awesome.  I hoped I wouldn’t disappoint him.  I remember telling Carrie later that this is someone I thought was a much better bass player than I was a singer.  He must have thought I was good enough to stick around, because he is still with me.  Gee whiz, I’m so glad!
        Rob introduced me to pianoman Terry Brennan from Decatur, Illinois.  Terry is originally from Jacksonville, and has spent much of his professional career in the public school system across central Illinois, finally retiring not-all-that-long ago from the Warrensburg district.  He’s really something.  I don’t think there is a song he hasn’t played…and played very well.  He’s fun to watch, too.  While he has a chart open in front of him, his eyes are closed half the time, and the other half, he’s looking around the room, coordinating beats with the band, signaling me…you name it.  He knows them all, and embellishes and improvises perfectly.  Never too far from his teaching background, it is always an education to perform with him.
        Someone else I no doubt would not have known without Rob’s introduction is John Sluzalis.  Johnny Slu is an “international drumming sensation!”  That looks exaggerative, but it is the truth.  Known far and wide, and certainly very well close to home, Slu is…well…Slu.  His very name conjures images and rhythms that many drummers only dream about.  His style is, to me, unique to him.  He gives more to a performance than simply keeping time, yet he is everything but overdone.  I most often describe him to others as someone who can play quieter with sticks than most drummers can play with brushes.  To me, that says something.  I told him not long ago, “John, you don’t need to be told how good you are, but you know I never really enjoyed a drum solo until I met you.”  When he’s not playing with Johnny Slu and Too Few, The Bowling Alley Big Band, Diversity, Dixie Daredevils, or……John has a complement of students hoping to capture just a little of what is Slu.
        What is especially true about good…no…excellent musicians is they are in high demand, so not everyone is always going to be available when a performance opportunity for me comes up.  What I find also to be true is that there’s a good chance that they’ve all played with each other at one time or another, so when one can’t play a given date, they generally have a recommendation as to who might be available.  As thankful as I am for the aforementioned players that have been, and continue to be, willing to play with me, I am also blessed for some other folks who bring their own style and decades of experience.
        Rich Olson from Springfield is a drummer who, among other ventures, spent a fair amount of time with Ken Carlysle and the Cadillac Cowboys, but is equally at home with many styles.  Certainly swing and jazz.  TB, RK and Slu turned me onto Rich, and upon meeting him, I found another connection to him through a mutual acquaintance, my very good friend, Pete Vredenburgh.  Rich’s drum kit has been around the block, to say the very least.  Seeing it for the first time spoke volumes to me.  It’s very well-worn.  It’s the essential tool of a seasoned-pro, and as comfortable as your favorite slippers.  Rich exudes that in his being, as well.  Soft-spoken and as friendly as they come.
        You know, that’s something I can say about all these guys.  They’re just a very nice group.  This next drummer is no exception.  Jerry Kusmaul is from Bloomington.  Jerry’s a real gentleman, who I’ve actually only had the privilege of working with once.  His notable gig-time includes the current Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians orchestra, with whom he tours regularly on both land and sea.  Speaking of “ghost” bands, anybody ever hear of a guy named Bill French?
        The first time I saw him, he was playing piano with Bill Tole’s Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.  Frenchie lives in Champaign, IL, and answered the call when Rob got in touch with him on my behalf.  It was a time when TB couldn’t play, and Terry said, “Oh, Bill French?  He’s nuts!  (grinning)  No, no, he’ll do a good job for ya.”  Indeed he did.  We’ve been able to hook up a couple times, much to my delight.
        Most of the time, I sing in front of a trio, but Once in a While (capitalized, as it’s a good tune) a horn gets in there, too!  Veteran tenor sax man from Ashland, Illinois, Bob White has never stopped playing since he started.  He still works around the area with the Jazz Magic Trio and Judy Kaye and Friends, and will sit in with me if it works out, either at a scheduled gig or an impromptu jazz jam.  As far as sitting in with a group goes, I do it every chance I get, and when that happens, I am just tickled to be a part of the combo (who are probably my guys, too, just booked under a different name by a different guy).  The past couple times I have been able to stop by one of Rob’s gigs, he’s had an alto sax man there named Perry Rask.  Perry is a music professor at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and what he brings to a song is almost indescribable.  From very subtle to overt amazement, I am hoping to make a habit of working with him.
        I give Rob the credit for playing matchmaker with the band, but I think the reason they keep playing with me is because Carrie Carls is the nicest gal you’ll ever meet and a total knockout.  See, they just hope to see her when they play!  Carrie is integral to my life, of course.  That’s a total understatement, but I don’t have enough bandwidth to fully-describe her.  My wife of 14+ years, she graces us vocally as well as visually.  She’s not always available, but when she is, we team up on songs such as, “On a Slow Boat to China,” “Young at Heart,” and “Whispering.”  Our daughter, Parker (the youngest upStandard, who sings a couple songs on her own once in a while), joins us on that one, and others.  Carrie also does solo work as an upStandard Citizen, and sings with the all-female Christian group, Higher Degree.
        Then there’s me, the poor schlub who just doesn’t want to screw up and make these other guys look bad.  In real life, professionally, I am a cabinetmaker.  I suppose if you’ve been around the website a bit, you may have found that out on your own.
        And if you’ve read this far, THANK YOU!  Do come see us if you get the chance.  I think we’re pretty good, but I leave that to you to decide for yourself.  Certainly don’t hesitate to drop me a line to talk about entertainment for your next party or reception, corporate event, festival, music after dinner, featured concert…you get the idea.