The John Shultz Trio only looks like a classic jazz piano trio.
Tim Crumley, John Shultz and Jonathan Schwabe
While they bring plenty of the traditional repertoire of standards like Ellington, Jobim, Gershwin and Porter, the musical interpretations come from players informed by classical, dixieland, swing, bebop, blues, rock, salsa, funk, and of course the smooth jazz sounds of the later 20th century. The group plays mostly familiar, recognizable material, with the perfect blend of artistry, humor, stylistic irreverence and stellar musicianship that both respects the composer and engages the audience.
John Shultz has performed jazz and popular music throughout the U.S. since the 1970s. After attending the University of Northern Iowa and a couple of years of touring, he gravitated to the Berklee College of Music, where he honed his vision of jazz as an open medium, bringing together many styles and letting artists inspire one another in the moment. His musical pursuits have found him as a composer, arranger, producer, recording engineer and performer in a variety of settings as both a leader and a sideman, from jingle production and orchestra pits to concert halls and avant-garde performance art. Through it all, his curiosity and fascination with where the music comes from, and where it can go next, have kept him entertained - and entertained thousands.
A multi-instrumentalist, John also plays organ, bass, guitar, percussion and vibraphone. He's even been seen leading a New Orleans-style street band while playing marching bass drum, though he's still very much enamored with his first great love - the piano.
Jonathan Schwabe spends his days as Professor of Theory and Composition at the University of Northern Iowa, and when he's not teaching, he's composing works ranging from contemporary chamber music to operas. But don't get too distracted by his considerable academic credits - he's one of the Midwest's swingingest bassists, and an inspired soloist on both upright and electric basses. Jon has an amazing musical vocabulary, but speaks clearly and directly through his instrument.
Tim Crumley is based in Pella, and is a drummer and percussionist in demand. He's currently performing throughout Iowa with several ensembles, including Ashanti, The Johnny Kilowatt Band, The Rusty Johnson Group, Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Milk and Honey, The Saints Dixieland Band - and the John Shultz Trio. Tim cites a large number of musical influences, but it's his claim that he likes "anything that causes me to slow down/speed up while I'm driving" that makes him an asset to the trio. Always "in the pocket", Tim is a lyrical and sensitive drummer who clearly listens as hard as he plays. With the trio, he is always engaged - and engaging.
Any one of the trio's members is worth showing up to see and hear, but together they take each other to that place where the familiar tunes become fresh, the unknown becomes a welcome new acquaintance, and everybody wins.