Meet The Guys in The Band

	Carl Anderson - trombone, bandleader Carl Anderson leads this group on trombone. Carl is an active freelance musician throughout the Central Illinois scene. He performs regularly with many ensembles, including the prestigious Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra. In addition to our group’s CD, Jazzed Up, Carl has also released a contemporary jazz album entitled No Relation with fellow trombonist Andrew Brady. Although his first love is traditional jazz and swing, Carl also performs with the Peoria Municipal Band, the Prairie Wind Ensemble, and several brass ensembles. He has been featured as a soloist with each of these groups. Carl has also taught privately in the Peoria area. Carl is the manager of Kidder Music Service, Inc. in Peoria, Illinois. He is on the faculty at Bradley University where he teaches classes in the Music Business curriculum.
	Craig Bullis - clarinet Craig can’t remember a time when music wasn’t present in his life. His mother was an organist at a local church and his father played cello and bass. Craig attributes his appreciation of all types of music to being surrounded by various instruments and performance styles, practically since birth. As a youth Craig traveled with his father to play a variety of dance jobs and symphony concerts. Because of his involvement in music from an early age, it wasn’t much of a surprise when he decided to study music in college. Craig received his Bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University and his Master's degree from Western Illinois University. He then taught for several years before being drafted into the army. After spending three years in the Fifth Army Band in Ft. Sheridan, Illinois (Chicago) and Eighth Army Band in Seoul, Korea, Craig resumed teaching in northern Iowa and gigged regularly with various groups throughout northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Eventually Craig moved back to Keokuk, Iowa and took a job as a high school band director. His jazz bands consistently placed among the top 3 in state competitions. Craig’s involvement in music education includes teaching on staff at various jazz camps, where he has led student groups and performed with key musicians such as Mike Vax, Clark Terry, Phil Wilson, Bob Havens, Art Pepper, Don Menza, and Dick Shearer. Craig presently resides in Keokuk with his wife, Lee. He teaches music in the Keokuk Catholic Schools and travels to the Peoria area for performances with our group. Craig also plays lead tenor sax in the Big River Swing Machine Big Band in Quincy, Illinois, and performs with the All-Star Clarinet Choir of Quincy. His favorite Dixieland band is the Phil Napoleon Memphis Five.
	Billy Sutton - bass Billy is a 40-year veteran of the jazz and blues scene. He has been with the Fulton Street Quartet for nearly two decades and was a long time member of Dave and the Dynamics until 1993. Billy held the position of bassist for the Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band for many years, where he had the pleasure of performing with many talented guest artists. Thanks to his ability to play just about any style of music, Billy is one of the most sought after bass players in Central Illinois. He even performed with Weird Al Yankovic in 1992! Billy is the backbone bass sound of the New Orleans band, and he loves the fun and friendship associated with the traditional jazz style.
	Lance Dieckow - banjo Lance learned the banjo at age 9 and began gigging at the world-famous Shakey's Pizza Parlor at age 11. It was there that he met Denny Schielein, and the two have played together on and off ever since. In the 1970s Lance became a regular at banjo rallies across the United States. He performed at the LaCrosse Wisconsin banjo show from 1970-1994. From 1980-1994 Lance gave banjo seminars and headlined shows across the United States. In 1994 he decided he'd rather stay home and fish than spend every weekend in a hotel! Lance met Carl Anderson after reuniting with Denny and landing a regular gig at the historic Hotel Pere Marquette in downtown Peoria. This trio of fellows has played together ever since. Lance’s day job isn’t at all music-related; he’s worked for 24 years in the CEFCU information services department, where he is the assistant operations manager in the computer room. But you can’t take the music out of the musician, and Lance remains an integral part of Carl’s band. He also enjoys playing guitar whenever the opportunity arises.
	Denny Schielein - piano, vocals Denny has been playing piano professionally since 1968 when he first started gigging at Shakey's Pizza Parlor. Since then Denny has been playing his brand of stride piano with ballroom dance bands for more than 20 years. His own group, Fat Albert's Barrelhouse Band, performed regularly throughout Central Illinois for many years. Denny's first love is Dixieland jazz, honky-tonk, and ragtime. He has played political rallies, steamboat concerts, conventions, supper clubs, and taverns. Denny also has brings a captivatingly smooth singing style to the stage and to several of the tracks on our album. Denny shares his musical motto: "Let Dixieland jazz swing on!”
	Doug Myers - trumpet Doug is a music educator and performer in the Central Illinois area. He has taught instrumental music in the Peoria School District for over 27 years. Doug’s credentials include performances with Bill Hardesty, Gately & Gately, Jerry Binkle, Ron Scott, Dwain Muller, the Ringling Brothers Circus, and the Ice Capades. He has also backed many well-known entertainers, including Cab Calloway, Morey Amsterdam, and Blackstone the Magician. Doug holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree from Bradley University.
	Jeremy Clark - drums Jeremy Clark is a Central Illinois native, and has attended Bradley University. He is the drummer for the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra and he has toured Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois with various groups, including Jack Morgan and the Russ Morgan Orchestra and the world famous Dallas Brass as their percussionist. Jeremy has also traveled to Europe twice to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Brienz Jazz Festival in Brienz, Switzerland, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, the Vienne Jazz Festival in Vienne, France, as well as in Disney Paris. Jeremy now works at Samuel Music and teaches private lessons in percussion. He also gigs around Peoria. Jeremy is the newest member of our group, and his second line style and attention to old time New Orleans grooves makes him a perfect addition to the band.