Danny is known throughout the music world for his sound, power, and musicality. He began his professional career at age 15.  His first playing job was in 1969 with the Eddie Knight Quintet in South Bend, Indiana.  During this time he played with another local big band, the Jazz Assemblage, as well as both the Indiana University at South Bend’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, and studied trumpet under Professor William Adam at Indiana University in Bloomington.  1969 - 1972

After graduating from high school, he auditioned for the United States Army Jazz Ensemble, the studio band at Fort Meade near Washington D.C., and was accepted at age 19.  After a year he took over the position of first trumpeter.  He toured throughout the U.S., performing at concert halls, colleges, and high schools in 48 states, and earned an honorable discharge and Meritorious Service Award.
Danny traveled to New York and met with a representative from the Willard Alexander Agency, and after discharge from the service was called to play with the Tommy Dorsey Band under the direction of Murray McCeaceran and alongside Buddy Morrow.  He ended up as first trumpeter, touring the U.S. and Canada.  1973 – 1977

After the Dorsey Band he was recruited by Maynard Ferguson.  He toured and recorded with the band for 3 years.  1977 - 1979

During this time he was contacted by a friend playing in Chicago and was put in touch with the legendary percussionist and vibraphonist Bobby Christian, veteran of the Chicago Symphony and a well respected jazz vibist, composer, and arraigner. That audition put Danny’s name in the Chicago scene.  He made a steady living playing in rehearsal bands, weekend jobbing, and playing variety show in theaters including the Mill Run, Blue Max, Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, WI, and the Carlton West in Green Bay, WI.  Danny has played lead trumpet for a long list of entertainers at the Holiday Star theater in Merrillville, IN.  1980 – 2006

Although too many to name, a short list of entertainers he has played with includes Doc Severance, Clark Terry, Tony Bennett, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Sr., Frank Sinatra, Jr., Bernadette Peters, Joni Mitchell, Dennis DeYoung and Styx. 

By 1982 Danny was considered a first call session trumpeter.  In addition to recording sessions he was doing Broadway Shows, the included “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Man of La Manchu”, “My One and Only”, “Zorbas”, “Bye Bye, Birdie”, “42nd St.”,  “No, No, Nannette”, “Les Miserable”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Sunset Boulevard”, “West Side Story”, “Chicago”, “Annie”, “Grease”, and “Too Hot to Handel”.

Performances and Affiliations
Grime Thorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band at Carnegie Hall.
Principle trumpet and soloist with the Midwest Pops Orchestra under the direction of Newton Wayland, 1982 through 1992.
Performed with the St. Louis Symphony Pops as principal trumpet and soloist with Newt Wayland and Skitch Henderson, 1988.
Performed with the Chicago Symphony Pops as principal trumpeter and soloist with Eric Kuntzel, 1990.
Featured trumpeter with the Black Dyke Mills British Brass Band at the International Trumpet Guild Conference at Royal Northern College in Manchester, England, 2001.
Performed as soloist with the Brass Band of Battle Creek at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 2001. Then touring Greater England.
Cornet soloist with the Brass band of Battle Creek, 1995 - 2001.
Featured soloist with the University of Notre Dame Jazz Band, 2003.
Soloist with the Western Illinois University Jazz Band, 2003.
Soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony,2004
Soloist with the Indiana University at South Bend Jazz Ensemble, 2005.
Soloist with the Purdue University Jazz Ensemble, 2005.
Soloist with the Western Michigan University Jazz Band, 2005.
Soloist with the College of Dupage Jazz Ensemble, 1998.
Soloist with the Southwestern Michigan University Jazz Ensemble, 1998.
Adjudicator - Purdue University Jazz Festival, 2006.
Adjudicator-Clark Terry Jazz Camp Emporia Kansas, 1993.

Recordings
Maynard Ferguson, “HOT”
Dennis DeYoung and Styx, “Paradise Theater”
Frank Mantooth Jazz Orchestra, “Suite Tooth”, “Dangerous Precedent”,
          “Sophisticated Ladies”, “A Miracle”
City Lights Orchestra, Chicago, “City Lights Orchestra”
Discovery Singers, “Christmas of Discovery”
Jazz Members Big Band, “Digin’In”
Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Clark Terry, “Porgy and Bess”
Brass Band of Battle Creek, “Sleigh Bells and Brass”, “Brazzmatazz”, “Britain and Brass”
Utah Symphony, “Sophisticated Ladies”
Charley Harrison and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, “Keeping My Composure”
Peter Brown, Chicago, “SNAP”
Roger Pemberton Big Band, Chicago
Buddy Childers Big Band, Chicago, “Just Buddy’s”
Sound Track, “A League of their Own”
Danny has also played on over 2000 Radio and Television Commercials.

Teacher and Educator
Danny gives private lessons in the Chicago and South Bend areas. He also teaches university students and professional players nation wide. In addition, he runs clinics and master classes, and often performs as a featured soloist.

Currently
Danny Barber’s Jazz Cats.
“Classic Jazz Society” Big Band ~ based in South Bend, Indiana.

Chicago Affiliations
Chicago Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jeff Lindbergh - Chicago and Washington, D.C.
City Lights Orchestra – Chicago.
Dennis Keith Band – Chicago.
Roy Vombrack – Chicago.
“Battle-of-the-Bands” with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and The Count Basie Band, August 28th 2006, in Chicago’s Millenium Park.
Maynard Ferguson Tribute Alumni Band, September 20, 2006, St. Louis, MO.

 

Danny Barber is a Conn-Selmer Artist Clinician and performs on Vincent Bach Stradivarius, Conn and Selmer trumpets.

For information on Concerts, Master Classes and Danny Barber's Jazz Groups please contact him at:

Danny Barber
574.250.3384

danny@dannybarber.com

Danny Barber's “Jazzcats” and “Classic Jazz Society”
P.O. Box 394
Notre Dame, IN
46556-0394

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Visit Danny's Web Site at:   http://www.dannybarber.com