John Skillman used to be an engineer for the government. Now, he makes toes tap.

The leader of the six-piece jazz band Barb City Stompers is gearing up to bring a mix of Dixieland and Swing to The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, for the band’s Sunday
afternoon series on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.

“My goal is to get the community exposed to this kind of music,” Skillman said. “It’s not intellectual; it’s happy. It has toe-tapping and hand-clapping.”

The Stompers, complete with drums, bass, rhythm guitar, trombone and clarinet, was first formed six years ago. Skillman was new to DeKalb and wanted to play locally. After a year of getting acquainted with fellow lovers of jazz, the leader selected musicians he felt a connection with to comprise his band.

After finding a few full-time musicians, a couple of NIU graduates and a trombone-playing physicist, the Stompers were complete.

The band plays six months out of the year, performing everywhere from The House, festivals, Chicago jazz clubs and most recently as a house band for The Gavin Wilson Show at the Egyptian Theater. The Stompers were also selected to play for NIU fight song composer Francis Stroup on his 100th birthday.

Skillman, now retired, spends half the year in Florida, putting the Stompers on hold. When asked if it’s difficult to take a sabbatical and get back to playing, he finds the effort minimal.

“It’s real easy,” Skillman said. “I have another band in Florida and another one that plays nationally.”

The sextet is beginning to record a new album inside Delmark Records, a name synonymous with Chicago jazz. Skillman is excited to be back in the studio after a self-confessed amateurish first LP. The new record will contain pieces “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” and “DeKalb Blues,” an original by the band.

The clarinet player remains humble despite his recognition from jazz lovers and the community as a whole. He says he’s totally unaware of any of it, but he’s happy if it’s true. For those loyal regulars or first-timers, Skillman says anyone attending a Barb City Stompers show will be treated to happy music, good food and an intimate setting.

“And hey, it’s free and worth every penny,” he said.

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