David Schommer - Bandleader, Trumpet, Vocals: Born and raised in New Orleans, David received his first trumpet when he was 8 years old and has been playing ever since. He has performed with several bands in New Orleans including The Dukes of Sound, Horizon, Heart & Soul, The Crescent City Big Band, and most recently, the Big Easy's hottest new big band - Swingaroux!. He also had the opportunity of performing in the band for Marcel Evans (The Drifters) during a recent tour. Since moving to Jackson in 2004, David has been quite busy on the music scene. After joining the Mississippi Community Symphonic Band (2004), he went on to create (with a little help from his friends) Jackson's very own non-profit big band - Mississippi Swing! (2005). Always looking for interesting and unique musical projects, he created Jackson's very own Oompah Band (2006) for their annual Germanfest, and, until 2009, the only local Brass Band (2006) to perform in the nationally known Mal's Annual St. Paddy's Day Parade marching right along side the Sweet Potato Queens - the band winning the 2008, 2009 & 2010 Otha Turner Marching Award. In 2009, the Brass Band also performed in The Red Hat Parade, at the new Renaissance, in Ridgeland. . In addition to creating and performing with The Jackson All-Stars (2008), he has performed with Jackson's #1 Latin Band - Latinismo, The Musicians (featuring The Holly Brothers), Shadz of Gray, the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and Mississippi Brass and Percussion. He created the 18-piece Madison All-Stars for Madison, The City's 2009 July 4th Celebration. He is a past member of the Mississippi Jazz Foundation and serves on the board of the Mississippi Community Symphonic Band. He also serves as Vice-President of the Madison Jazz Society.

Musical Highlights

Moved to Jackson, Mississippi / Joined the MCSB (2004)
Founder, Mississippi Swing! (2005)
Founder, Mississippi Swing Brass Band (2006)
Founder, Mississippi Schwingen Oompah Band (2006)
The Dave Schommer Band (2006/2007)
Founder, The Jackson All-Stars (2008)
Founder, The Madison All-Stars (2009)
Bandleader, The Brother Martin Alumni Jazz Band (2009, 2010)
Otha Turner Marching Award - Mississippi Swing Brass Band (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012)
Richland "Key to the City" - Mississippi Swing! & The Jackson All-Stars (2009)
Founder, The Jackson All-Stars Brass Band (2010)
The Clarion Ledger / O.C. McDavid Award (2013)

Other Accomplishments

$25,000 Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant: Watkins Elementary (2009)
Employee of the Month: Watkins Elementary (2010)
Governor's Award - Watkins Playground Project (2010)
Grey Ferris Scholar (2010)
Watkins Elementary Leadership Award (2010)
Outstanding Educator Award, PPS / Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (2010)
Metro Jackson Teacher of the Year (2011)
Nominated, Mississippi Teacher of the Year (2011, 2012)
Nominated, Outstanding Elementary School Website Design (2011)
MAPE Partnership Excellence Award - Watkins Elementary(2011)
Watkins Recycling Program: 1st in State: Keep Mississippi Beautiful (2011& 2012)
Keep America Beautiful Recycle Bowl State Champions (2011, 2012)
Over $107,000+ in Grants and Donations to Watkins Elementary (2009-2012)
Governor's Award of Distinction - Watkins Elementary (2012)
Watkins Elementary - Educational Institution Recycler of the Year (2012)
MAPE Partnership Excellence Award - Watkins Elementary (2013)
Watkins Elementary Teacher of the Year (2013)

Bandleader David Schommer recently performed with the
Swingaroux! Big Band
at the
New Orleans 2011 French Quarter Festival!

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Swingaroux!

Dave's 50th Birthday!

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With Howard Jones in Fondren!

As seen in the Madison County Connection 2011

Fondren After 5!

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Fondren after 5 (10/07/10)--Howard Jones Jazz Parade

With the Leading Edge Band!

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With Shadz of Gray!

At Delta Bear Festival with Shadz of Gray

Hawaiian Islander Party

Hilton's Annual Hawaiian Islander Karaoke & Swim Party July 17, 2010

Cajun Fest 2010 in Century II

Cajun Fest 2010

David Schommer

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Jubilee Jam 2009 w/Latinismo!

"First up for me was Latinismo! at the Trustmark Stage. With at least 13 members on stage, they played a rousing set of Latin groove. The horns were sharp and the guitars had a saucy ring for the few people daring to dance in the sun. I hope that it was just the heat that made the crowd small. I had a lot of fun swaying my hips to the music and started imagining them giving my summer birthday party a bit of salsa swing. Latinismo! started wrapping up their set with a slinky cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire."

Jubilee Jam 2009
Jackson Free Press

Performing with the Crescent City Big Band June 7, 2009

French Quarter Festival 2009 w/Swingaroux!

The Who Dats were out in full force for this year's French Quarter Festival! Swingaroux! was the lead-in band to New Orleans legend Ronnie Cole! Despite and ominous forecast, the rain held off for the entire day and the crowds were huge! The band played an eclectic mix of kickin' music that included everything from the Doc Severinson version of In the Mood to the House of the Rising Sun and....would you believe it?.....Freebird! Awesome gig!
Photos by Elizabeth Koskie.

Brother Martin Cajun Fest '09

Brother Martin Alumni Jazz Combo
Cajun Fest 2009

Lead Trumpet: Dr. Roy Carubba – St. Aloysius - 1944
Trumpet / Vocals: David Schommer - Brother Martin - 1979 (Bandleader)
Trombone: Mark Messina - Brother Martin - 2006
Tenor Sax: Matthew Carl - Brother Martin - 2006
Drums: Gavin Courrege - Brother Martin - 2008
Bass: Michael Calcagno - Brother Martin - 1979 (Assistant Bandleader)
Guitar: Dustin Hymel – Brother Martin - 2003
Piano: Nick Loiacano – Brother Martin - 1970

The Repertoire: Saints, Down By the Riverside, Darktown Strutters Ball, Bill Bailey, Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Second Line, and Bourbon Street Parade.

Memorable Quote of the Day

"...If I'm not dead by next year, I'd like to do this again!"

- Dr. Roy Carubba, Lead Trumpet - 82 Years Old
St. Aloysius, Class of 1944

Performing with The Just Doin' It Band at Mardi Gras, in New Orleans!