The Dave Pearce Orchestra

Musical Director, Dave Pearce...

Musical Director Dave Pearce has been playing trombone since the age of 14. Dave's inspiration to take up the trombone came from the music of Glenn Miller and the big band sound of the 1940's.

While merely a student at his local sixth-form college, he was actively involved with the big band scene in his hometown of Nottingham, being asked to play for many of the big bands in and around the area. Along with the tuition of respected musician and trombonist Doug Wilkie, he also received trombone lessons from Chris Dean (Musical Director of The Syd Lawrence Orchestra) and the late Don Lusher, OBE.

After leaving college, Dave went on to travel the length and breadth of England with various different big bands. He was also regularly featured with The Herb Miller Orchestra, directed by John Miller (now The John Miller Orchestra).

Dave is a graduate of The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. During his time at the college, he was awarded The Stan Barker Memorial Prize for Jazz Improvisation and the playing in the Big Band. While studying at the RNCM and playing in the big band, he has had the pleasure of working beside a number of international figures of the jazz world, including Jiggs Whigham, Steve Waterman, John Warren, Anita Wardell, Andy Sheppard, Don Lusher, John Wilson and many more. It was during his second year at the RNCM, that Dave formed his big band.

In addition to leading The Dave Pearce Orchestra, Dave can often be seen appearing with The Glenn Miller Orchestra (UK), The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra, The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, The Squadronairs Dance Orchestra, The Nelson Riddle Tribute Orchestra, The Kings of Swing, The John Miller Orchestra, and The Swing Shift Big Band. Dave has also worked with 'West End' singers such as Louis Hoover, Chris Mann, Andrew Kennedy, Allie Laurie, Nigel Casey and Mark Halliday with The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas show.

Dave was fortunate to be asked to perform with The Empress Dance Band for the duration of the 2005 summer season at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, with the band being directed by Ashley Frohlic. Dave often led the trombone section and was also featured soloist with the band.

Dave is also the current bass trombonist for The Nick Ross Orchestra, currently touring the UK.

Although primarily a swing and big band musician, he has also performed with various respected symphony orchestras around the country, including The Hallé Orchestra of Manchester. He is also often in demand for orchestras across Europe, with prestigious performances in the "Opera Comique" and the "Salle Pleyel" in Paris.

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