The Dave Banks Big Band-  This powerhouse 17 piece swinging big band is
based out of Akron, Ohio and is led by Ohio native and 20 year Las Vegas
veteran trumpet artist, Dave Banks.  The band boasts of having the very top
players in the Northeast Ohio area.  Dave fronts the band with his soaring trumpet reminding you of Doc Severinson, Harry James and Maynard Ferguson. This band will definitely make your event sparkle. Their repertoire ranges from original compositions to standard big band favorites. Featured vocalists have included Michael Sonata, Stan Davis, Mery White, Shannon Eller, Britni Tozzi, Helen Welch,  Don Dasco, John Morton, Frederick Davis and Paul Hoffman.
Their library of big band music includes hit songs arranged by the best writers in the business. They have played to packed houses at the Cleveland Bop Stop, The Akron BluJazz Club, the Packard Music Hall, Carousel Dinner Theatre, The Tangier Ballroom and The Kent Stage. They will travel the United States, Canada and Europe and are available for Cruise Ship bookings.

The Dave Banks Big Band provides the best in the Big Band sound. We play modern arrangements from the top new composers as well as well known standards from the great big band era. Our staff arrangers have written several pieces specifically for our band.

Our goal is to provide our audience with an exciting, uplifting evening of music, whether it is in a show, concert, reception or dance setting.  We strive to challenge our musicians with the best music to play, while keeping the communication with the audience our priority. 

 

 

   The Dave Banks Big Band is currently scheduling bookings for its 2016-2017 season.  We also plan to do concerts and clinics for schools to raise the awareness of big band music and jazz education.  You can book us directly for your next event, show, wedding, party, dance, or convention by contacting us via email at or calling 330-472-2512.

 

 

The Dave Banks Big Band Personnel:

 

Dave Banks, Leader, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocalist

 

Don Turoso, Alto Saxophone-Former saxophonist with Paul Anka, Glenn Miller

George Shernit, Alto Saxophone-Contractor, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Tom Reed, Professor of Music, Ashland University

Bob Esterle, Tenor Saxophone- Glenn Miller Orchestra

Dave Kana, Tenor Saxophone, Jamie Abersold clinician and Tenor great

Richard Willis, Baritone Saxophone-Formerly with the Carousel Dinner Theatre Orchestra

 

John English, 1st trumpet and leader, Special Request Orchestra

Joe Miller, Lead Trumpet at Playhouse Square Orchestra

Erik Gimble, Lead Trumpet with Vaughan Weister's Famous Jazz Orchestra

Chris DeMarco, Director of Jazz, Cuyahoga Falls City Schools

 

Phillip Brice, Trombone- Las Vegas Showroom Veteran

Chas Baker, Trombone-Former Director of Jazz Studies, Kent State University

Pete Cumming, Trombone- Brass Instrument Specialist, United Musical Instruments

Paul Ferguson, Trombone- Director of Jazz Studies, Cast Western Reserve University

Scott Garlock, Bass Trombone- Director of Jazz Studies, Ashland University

Gary Twining, Bass Trombone- Formerly with Las Vegas Desert Inn Orchestra

 

Alex Hoyt, Piano-Playhosue Square pianist

Kevin DeSimone-Pianist and recording artist

Theron Brown-Pianist, recording artist, and actor

Chris Conway, Bass, Special Request Orchestra

Aidan Plank,  Bassist, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Jeremey Poparad, Guitar, Professor of Music, Kent State Stark University

Billy Joe Wiseman, Guitar, Los Angeles Session Musician

Mark Gonder, Drums-Featured drummer, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra,

                        Music Faculty at The University of Akron

Richard Moore, Drums, Savoy Orchestra

Jim Rupp, Drums, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Michael Sonata, Vocalist- Frank Sinatra Specialist

John Morton, After Dark Production Leader, Recording Artist

Shannon Eller, Big Band, Jazz, Broadway and Opera Singer

Britni Tozzi, Professional actress and singer. Peggy Lee specialist

Don Dasco, Professional big band vocalist

Paul Hoffman, Cleveland Cabaret Artist

Nicholas Brooks, Las Vegas Performer and Sammy Davis Artist

Dave Halston, Touring Sinatra Artist

Stan Davis, Sammy Davis Tribute Artist

Peggy Coyle, Vocalist, Akron's favorite female singer!

Marsha Newman, Vocalist-Leads the Art Company Orchestra.

Walt Sanders, Elvis Tribute Artist

Tony Robinson, Northeast Ohio's R+B Specialist

Mery White, Recording artist and Akron's top R+B female vocalist

Mark Verabian, Las Vegas Dean Martin Artist

Russ Loniello, Dean Martin Artist

Drew Anthony, Dean Martin Artist