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)
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!
Swingaroux! Big Band
at the
New Orleans 2011 French Quarter Festival!
Swingaroux!
Dave's 50th Birthday!
With Howard Jones in Fondren!
As seen in the Madison County Connection 2011