David Plaine
David Plaine
David Plaine is a working musician, marketer, and bandleader dedicated to special event performances for over 40 years. He was awarded the John Phillips Souza Award at his High School Graduation, recognizing him for musical talent and promise. While in college, Plaine studied and performed the saxophone with many up and coming jazz musicians at the Berkeley School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts; most notably, old friend and recently departed Saxophonist, Michael Brecker. After transferring to the University of Illinois to pursue a marketing degree, Plaine played with the world-renowned University of Illinois Jazz band under the direction of John Garvey. He also traveled regionally and went on the road with J.C. and the Boys, the One Eyed Jacks, and briefly with an early form of the now famous, Chicago.
After college Plaine applied his marketing skills while using and enhancing his broad musical experience. Dozens of notable regional and national jingles for radio and Television are on his reel. Musical milestones include creative direction of Disco Disney in honor of Mickey Mouse's 50th birthday and the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the deeding of the Hershey Trust. Plaine, now on leave of absence, is a long-standing member and former officer of the American Federation of Musicians Local 132-314.
For over 40 years, Plaine has created and nurtured bands featuring more than 75 regional musicians; spanning many musical styles from Jazz, Latin, German, Irish, to most recently Mariachi. As a member of the Ageless Jazz Band, Plaine had the opportunity to play Big Band Music on the Island of Aruba for 5 years running. The Ithaca Dixieland Band is an all-star sextet. While deeply immersed in the traditional Dixieland music of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Jelly Roll Morton, the band now embraces Creole and Africana influences with contributions from the Neville Brothers, Dr. John and Randy Newman. Plaine's 15-year leadership of the DixieKats has helped its present prominence and diversity.