The Dave Pearce Orchestra

The Band...

The Dave Pearce Orchestra (DPO) was formed in 2004, consisting of the traditional big band line-up of 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Double Bass, Piano and Drums. The Dave Pearce Orchestra was formed in 2004 by trombonist, Dave Pearce.

Using some of the finest musicians from the North-West of England, hand picked by Dave Pearce himself, the orchestra's aim is to re-capture the music and sound of the by-gone era of the big bands - from Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Ted Heath, and using the vocal talents of Helen Rodgers and Kevin Jones, the songs of Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra - to name just a few.

The DPO is comprised of musicians who are regularly active on the professional big band scene and are versatile musicians in their own right. With this, the musicians that make up the The Dave Pearce Orchestra are respected and highly recognised in the music industry, with members of the orchestra regularly working with The Syd Lawrence Orchestra and The Glenn Miller Orchestra.

In addition to the extensive library of traditional swing music that the DPO play, the library also consists of music that is lesser known in the big band repertoire. With many of the musicians of the DPO also being jazz instrumentalists, this gives scope for each of the jazz musicians to take a chorus...or two! With this quality of the DPO, this helps add variety to the concert programme.

The Dave Pearce Orchestra also prides itself on the fact that the library contains some of the original music and transcriptions obtained from some of the greatest big bands that have ever been around.

Featured with the orchestra are the vocal talents of both Helen Rodgers and Kevin Jones. Both vocalists have a unique voice that suits the big band/swing era well. Helen is a firm favourite with audiences wherever the band perform, with a voice that is reminiscent to that of the great Ella Fitzgerald. In addition to this, a close-harmony vocal group is also used featuring musicians from the orchestra, to re-create the vocal group numbers made famous, for example by "The Modernaires" from the Glenn Miller Orchestra, or "The Pied Pipers" from the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

From time to time featured with the DPO are guest stars Jan Eberle and John Miller (nephew to Glenn Miller) for the unique show exclusive to the Dave Pearce Orchestra: "The Miller Connection". (More details can be found about this show and the artisits on the "Personnel" page).

The Dave Pearce Orchestra is a versatile orchestra in its own right, and each performance includes traditional swing music along with music played for dancing. Within the orchestra the fine jazz soloists in each section are often called upon to play Dixieland Jazz and Traditional Jazz. With this versatility, the DPO is comfortable playing in concert halls, theatres and at Jazz Festivals, and with this, makes it a popular choice for any type of event. Combined with the talent and the music is fun, laughter and an "all-round" show performance.

The Dave Pearce Orchestra has been satisfying and entertaining audiences wherever it performs. Not only is it a big band performing some of the greatest songs that have been written, but is also a big band that offers much more than just a concert, but a show of timeless music.

A band overflowing with pizzazz that is not to be missed! The DPO is sure to please whenever and wherever it performs, and injects the great swing music with a new fresh breath.

"...he has his own band and this man is serious!
He knows what swing's all about and how to play it.
Catch him if you can and swing along with him!"

Malcolm Laycock - BBC Radio 2

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