Prime Time Big Band

Big Sound – Big Variety – Big Fun!!

Dave Jones – Director

jones

David Jones was raised in Edmonton, Alberta and received his early musical training as one of the original members of The Cosmopolitan Music Society. After performing with the National Youth Orchestra in 1967, David joined the Canadian Forces. He performed with the Air Command Band in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Band in Calgary, Alberta as lead trumpet and soloist from 1967 to 1980. From 1980 to 1983 his military educational upgrading included commissioning from Warrant Officer to Lieutenant, graduating from Canadian Forces Staff School and serving as Associate Director of Music of the Air Command Band in Winnipeg. He was appointed the Commanding Officer and Director of Music of the Air Command Band from 1983 to 1986, and during 1987 was an Assistant Staff Officer in the Directorate of Ceremonial of National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. He was appointed the Director of Music of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa from 1987 to 1990 and assumed command of the PPCLI Band in Calgary from 1990 to 1994. During his tenure as Commanding Officer and Director of Music of the PPCLI Band, Captain Jones initiated, organized and coordinated the production of the compact disc “Celebration”, which is heralded by military and civilian organizations as world class and the finest in Canadian Forces history. Tommy Banks and Harry Pinchin served as producers in this recording.

When the PPCLI Band was disbanded in 1994, Captain Jones chose to retire from the Canadian Forces and continue his career as a musician, bandleader, adjudicator and clinician in the Calgary area. Throughout his career he has performed with the Symphony Orchestras of Winnipeg, Victoria and Calgary, and played in big bands for Bob Hope, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Paul Anka, B.J. Thomas, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Tommy Banks, Ron Paley and Diana Krall. He has conducted concert bands that featured Moe Koffman, Tracy Dahl and Mary Lou Fallis. His jazz band, “Prime Time Big Band”, formed in 1994, has featured Alastair Kay and Guido Basso of the Boss Brass, Hugh Fraser, Mike Tomaro, P.J. Perry, Bobby Shew, Phil Woods, George Robert, Bob Mintzer, Phil Nimmons, Ian McDougall, Peter Appleyard, Paul Wertico, Mike Herriott, Andrea Tofanelli, Adam Rapa, Ingrid Jensen, Chris Jaudes, Walter White, Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Allan Vizzutti and Doc Severinsen.

Dave Jones, although retired from the Canadian Military, is presently serving as a reserve band consultant to the Commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group. He was the Director of “The Band of Outriders of the Calgary Stampede” from 1994 to 2002 and the Director of The Calgary Stetson Show Band from 2000 to 2003. Currently, he is the Director of The University of Calgary “Big Band” and one of Canada’s top big bands “Prime Time Big Band”. Prime Time Big Band is pleased to announce the release of their debut CD “for our Friends”, a collection of Big Band Jazz from the 50’s to the present day and available through www.primetimebigband.com. The big band is performing in their 6th season at The Ironwood Stage and Grill in Calgary, Alberta.

Prime Time Big Band