Naperville Central is filled with talented and young musicians, but guitarist Charlie Debski doesn’t just perform for the audience: he commands it.
As a junior at Central, Debski is regarded as the top improvisational jazz guitarist in Illinois. From performing in high-level organizations to working with accomplished musicians, he has been carving out a career in the performing arts.
Debki’s musical journey began long before he came to Central. After seeing him play a toy guitar in first grade, Debski’s dad sent him to lessons. As his journey progressed, he began to see the potential of music.
“I never realized that there’s a vein you can live with music,” Debski said. “[Music can be your job]. In middle school, I realized music is actually a career to pursue.”
In addition to Debski’s growing affection for guitar, he experienced a life-changing event that allowed him to engage in the music community upon entering eighth grade
“I went to a summer camp called Birch Creek, and [it] was [really motivating], because there [were] a bunch of other people who did the same thing, I want to do,” Debski said.
DJ Alstadt is a band director at Central and conducts the Jazz Symphony Orchestra (JSO), a jazz group Debski plays with. Upon Debski’s entrance into high school, he auditioned for this group and got in his freshman year.
“I’ve seen interviews [with] him [on] television when he was in Rochester in New York, which is home to Eastman School of Music, [with him being a standout musician at the age of 13 years old,]” Alstadt said. “So I knew before he even came in that we had a standout musician, someone who was already getting national praise as an incoming freshman.”
Debski gained the attention of not only Alstadt but also audiences worldwide.
“When you’re playing at such an advanced age, at 13, [and] already making national news, this is somebody to watch,” Alstadt said. “And of course, he [has] absolutely blown off the lid of everything that you can do.”
Debski’s commitment and musicianship are evident in JSO’s performances, according to Alstadt.
“Sometimes, he’ll be playing, and he’ll just stop so unselfishly, [and] let someone else have the spotlight, or when the soloist is going, and he’s accompanying, he makes that solo sound better,” Alstadt said.
In addition to JSO, Debski participates in a variety of organizations outside of Central, such as the Jazz Links Student Council, where he composes music for his ensemble.
“The big heavy hitter would be CYSO (Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra), and [I’m in their] jazz print,” Debski said. “I’m [also] in young masters, and Ernest Dawkins, a Chicago legend, is our mentor.”
However, on top of the many groups he is a part of, one consistent challenge is his scheduling.
“One big stress or pressure, [is] scheduling,” Debski said. “I’m always busy. I don’t have any free time.”
As a high schooler, it is hard to focus on his schooling when Debski is constantly getting calls for gigs and other performances.
“I try to keep my school experience as light as possible, keep it minimal,” Debski said.
Not only does Debski focus on understanding the musical intricacies of jazz, but he also deep dives into music’s history.
“He’ll start talking about very obscure jazz artists that most people don’t know about, that play avant-garde,” Alstadt said. “[Debski’s] ability to understand the lineage, not only of jazz guitar, but every instrument, is beyond his years.”
Alstadt explains that he learns new artists or instruments from Debski that he had never heard of before, and would jot them down.
“It’s fun to engage in that level of understanding and curiosity, and we both walk away from the conversation with something new,” Alstadt said.
Debski hopes to become a professional musician and major in the performing arts at DePaul University due to previously studying with guitar professor Scott Hesse.
When picturing Debski’s future, Alstadt believes that Debski not only has the potential to go into the performing arts but could achieve a professional level worldwide.
“We’ve had a few kids through my time here, [that join] the New York Philharmonic and LA Philharmonic, kids that are overseas, people who won Grammys and people that work in Hollywood, that write for major movies [like,] Lego Ninjago,” Alstadt said. “[Debski is going to] be in that role.”
American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat once said, “Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.” For Debski, this quote has been a major guiding point as he works through his musical career.
“Art is a way you can express yourself without having to use words,” Debski said. “There are so many ways to do that. I think music is as unique as painting, but I love that I can be a part of it.”