Born: November 15, 1956 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Dave Banks has returned to the Northeast Ohio area after a twenty-year career in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed in over 4000 shows there including numerous top production shows including six years with the “City Lights” Show at the Flamingo Hilton and the “Moulin Rouge” at the Las Vegas Hilton. He worked with virtually every major entertainer in show business on the famous Las Vegas Strip and also was a member of the renowned Lou Elias Relief Orchestra. He also found time to perform with the Nevada Symphony Orchestra, The Las Vegas Philharmonic, and the Nevada Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Banks was on the faculty of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas serving as Trumpet Instructor and also was Assistant Director of Bands as well. His educational experience also included 10 years as the Director of Music at Bishop Gorman High School. Since his return to the area, David has joined the faculty of Walsh Jesuit High School and is in his eighth year teaching music and drama. He is in demand as a lead trumpeter in Northeast Ohio. He performs regularly with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Unit, and the Ernie Krivda Fat Tuesday Big Band having recorded CDs with them as well as CDs for the Paul Ferguson Orchestra and Helen Welch. Dave has served as Lead Trumpet in several shows at Playhouse Square, E.J. Thomas Hall, The Carousel Dinner Theatre and Porthouse Theater performing for professional productions of “Beauty and the Beast,” “Brigadoon,” “Chicago,” “Parade,””The Producers,” “Ragtime,” 42nd Street, “Guys and Dolls,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,””Hairspray” “The Drowsy Chaparone,” “Sweet Charity,” “West Side Story,” and “Swing.” He now leads his own jazz big band, “The Dave Banks Big Band,” made up of some of the finest professional musicians in Northeast Ohio. “It has been my desire to bring the sound of a roaring, professional big band to life here in Akron,” Dave says. He plays on the Dave Banks Custom Calicchio Trumpet and Flugelhorn and represents Calicchio Trumpets.
