“Big Dave” McConnell
Like many of music's greats, “Big Dave” started his career early in life.
As a military kid, little “Big Dave” started singing in public at German pubs on his father's knee, singing “Ein Beer Bitte” to the locals.
At ten-years-old, his father was stationed in the Philippines while in the Air Force. Dave performed the Monkee's hit, “Sleepy Jean” for his 5th Grade class and blew them away. While performing, he noticed the smiles of the pretty girls in the audience. It was that moment when he thought, “Hey, I can do this!” and decided to pursue a career in music.
He quickly started his journey by studying voice and guitar and eventually wound up singing in the number one high school jazz choir in the state of California under famed director, Mr. Fred Weber.
Here he was exposed to scat singing and vocal Jazz and was awarded an invitation to sing in the first all-state Jazz choir under the direction of notable Jazz choir arranger, Kirby Shaw.
When Dave graduated from high school, he was awarded the National School Choral Award.
He went on to study classical guitar with San Francisco Conservatory Professor and accomplished recording artist, Rey de la Torre.
After studying vocal Jazz and Classical guitar at Cal. State Northridge, “Big Dave” earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in guitar from Sacramento State University with a minor in composition and voice.
Dave headed to Los Angeles to pursue his dream. He formed a band called “Rainbo's End” which quickly become a sensation. In addition, Rainbo's End performed the sound track for a short film called, “Private Debts,” a Columbia Pictures release starring Billy “Green” Bush and Sheila Kelly. Not only did the band perform the soundtrack but they also were the on-camera band. In addition, 'Big Dave” co-wrote “Rocky Mountain Two-Step” for the climax of the film with Broadway songwriter Gary David Freidman and Lauren Blaine.
Dave has also written for and sung on many short and technical films.
With his unique ability to play the “Vocal Trumpet,” “Big Dave” has been performing in numerous venues and jazz clubs in Los Angeles for many years.
As a studio singer, Dave recorded hundreds of hours of vocals for movies, TV, radio and jingles. He has recorded with many well-known artists such as, Edgar Winter, Isaac Hayes, John Travolta, Chick Corea, Carl Anderson, Frank Stallone, David Pomeranz and many more.
To date, Dave has vocal credits on 25 Gold records in many languages around the world.
As a songwriter, “Big Dave” has written many jingles for companies like Chevrolet, The Charlie Tuna Show, The Rick Dees Show, St. Regis Wine and may others in the L.A. Area.
Dave continues to travel the world, spreading the art of vocal Jazz through live, TV and radio performances.
And yes, “Big Dave” still enjoys watching the pretty girls smiling in the audience.
Who knew?
