top of page
BIOGRAPHY
The Dave Banks Big Band is a powerhouse, 17-piece, big band based out of Akron, Ohio and is in its 20th year of making music. The band includes some of Ohio’s top musicians and is led by Ohio native and 20-year Las Vegas veteran trumpet artist, Dave Banks. Dave’s desire is to bring some of that Las Vegas excitement to their shows! They have performed across the Midwest, including The Palace Theatre, Music Box, and The Bop Stop in Cleveland, BLUJazz, The Tangier Cabaret, The Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, the Kent Stage in Kent, Robins Theatre and the Packard Music Hall in Warren, the Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown, as well as many jazz clubs and major conventions in Northeast Ohio. Their vast library of music ranges from standard big band swing, to contemporary big bands, Sinatra to Buble, and even Big Band rock and soul. Dave fronts the band with his soaring trumpet, reminding audiences of the sounds of Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson and Harry James. They also feature compositions by several arrangers that are associated with the band including Don Turoso, Chas Baker, Paul Ferguson, Chris DeMarco, Jeremey Poparad and Dave Banks. While they have been busy backing entertainers such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City Rat Pack Shows, The Temptations, Four Tops, Frankie Scinta, and Michael Sonata in stage shows, they frequently present entertaining themed programs that pay tribute to everything from our Veterans to the movies, famous singers and more. The band’s ongoing mission is to provide the audience an exciting, uplifting musical experience, while presenting our musicians with the best compositions and arrangements to perform. We 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 best composers as well as well known standards from the great big band era. Our staff arrangers have written several pieces specifically for our band.
The Dave Banks Big Band provides 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 2024-2025 season. You can book us directly for your next event, show, wedding, party, dance, or convention by contacting us via email at davebanksbigband@gmail.com 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
John Orsini, Alto Saxophone-Former Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orch.
Bob Esterle, Tenor Saxophone- Former Glenn Miller Orchestra
Tommy First, Tenor Saxophone-Ernie Krivda Fat Tuesday Big Band
Dave Kana, Tenor Saxophone, Jamie Abersold clinician and Tenor great
Roberto Iriarte, Baritone Saxophone- Cleveland Pops Orchestra
John English, 1st trumpet and leader, Special Request Orchestra
Erik Gimble, Lead Trumpet with Vaughan Weister's Famous Jazz Orchestra
Chris DeMarco, Former 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- Former Brass Instrument Specialist, United Musical Instruments
Scott Garlock, Bass Trombone- Director of Jazz Studies, Ashland University
Gary Twining, Bass Trombone- Formerly with Las Vegas Desert Inn Orchestra
Alex Hoyt, Piano-Playhouse Square pianist
Chris Conway, Bass, Special Request Orchestra
Aidan Plank, Bassist, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Jeremey Poparad, Bass and Guitar, Professor of Music, Kent State Stark University
Billy Joe Wiseman, Guitar, Los Angeles Session Musician
Mark Gonder, Drums-Featured drummer, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra,
Former Music Faculty at The University of Akron
Richard Moore, Drums, Porthouse Theatre Orchestra
Michael Sonata, Vocalist- Frank Sinatra Specialist
Shannon Eller, Vocalist, Barbara Streisand Specialist
Katie Kirchner Gladman, Former Cruise Line star, Linda Ronstadt specialist
Britni Tozzi, Professional actress and singer. Peggy Lee specialist
Stanley Davis, Sammy Davis Tribute Artist
Scott Brotherton, Dean Martin Tribute Artist
Sandra Montevideo, Vocalist, Liza Minelli specialist
Ron Davis, Versitile theatre actor and vocalist
Matt Snow, Sinatra Artist
Don Dasco, Professional big band vocalist
Nicholas Brooks, Las Vegas Performer and Sammy Davis Artist
Dave Halston, Touring Sinatra Artist
White, Recording artist and Akron's top R+B female vocalist
Mark Verabian, Las Vegas Dean Martin Artist
Drew Anthony, Las Vegas Dean Martin Artist
bottom of page