Dan Bodanis Big Band
Dan Bodanis, in all his glory, surrounded by his band. Son Sabian was photographing the scene.
You do not often meet someone on your life’s journey with whom you connect instantly and at such a deep level. My friendship with Dan Bodanis is one such friendship. I have often been quoted as saying that meeting Dan was like a thirsty person picking up a garden hose for a sip, only to find that it was a firehose and it was running full on.
We’ve had some incredible times in the few years we have known each other - he has changed my life in many ways. I am a very accomplished photographer on many levels. Dan came into my world and pushed me to excel. He has introduced me to many opportunities. He even arranged for a professional rebate from Sony to trade my beloved Canon system for the best professional system at the time. It was the first time I bought a whole system in fifty years of photography at one time. Two camera bodies and three professional lenses have given me a complete set of tools to do whatever I need to do to get the picture. My photographs have indeed gone to a whole new level.
Dan is also a very accomplished drummer and started a big band - The Dan Bodanis Big Band. I am not a music aficionado, but I know what I like, and the music from this 19-piece big band is incredible. Many of the band members are the best of the best in their field. Many have successful careers and will make time to play in this band. Many are scholars, teachers, and numerous award winners. The DBBB had a recent show in Mississauga’s Meadowvale Theatre. They played many songs from Frank Sinatra’s Vegas show, Dan acquired the rights to the whole repertoire from that show.
This has been my third such outing, and I am still a work in progress - remember, I just take pictures of events, I am not schooled in the fine points just yet. I recently learned what a bell is on a trumpet, and now know that it needs to be photographed higher than the eyes. I also learned that I have to keep certein parts level and not out of whack.
I will be chronicling their story in this blog. Maybe there’s another book in this - for now, I am aggregating their pictures, in time, but I will want more than a few pictures.
These are some of the questions going through my mind:
What does playing music mean to you?
What is your purpose and passion?
What are you willing to do to keep playing?
Where have you played, and do you have any stories to share?
Who have you played with?
How did you start? Why that instrument?
For now, I have a combination of special things I am looking for - My series of the hands of the musician. It is a black and white series of images showing the instrument and the hands playing it. I hope that once you look at those shots, you will not only see the pictures, but you will hear the sound of that instrument. Let me know if you do.
The Hands of the Musician
The Dan Bodanis Big Band group pictures
This part of the photoshoot is reserved for images with more than one musician. I intend to highlight individuals as I get to know them. At some point, a mini bio, and more info will be included - right now we will start with the pictures.
The Singer & the Drummers
The Trumpet Section
Trumpet 1 - Klaus Anselm, Trumpet 2 - Jack Dring, Trumpet 3 - Kyle Pogline,
Trumpet 4 - Brownman
The Trumpet section is the part of the band that provides the hype in the band. That’s the loud section providing the most dramatic high notes. That provides the energy to the big band sound. Listening to this quartet of trumpeters is pure pleasure.
The Trombone Section
Trambone 1 - Chris Hunt, Trombone 2 - Paul Tarasov, Trombone 3 - Dan Gargaro, Trombone 4 - Pete Hysen
“The trombone provides the big band with much of its power, resonance, and warmth, as well as anchoring the harmony. It lays the foundation for the overall sound of the band and occasionally supplies the sweetest or majestic moments.” Paul Tarasov
The Sax Section
Paul Mifsud Alto Sax 1, Kurt Lund, Alto Sax 2, Tom Skublics Tenor Sax 1,
Bob Brough Tenor Sax 2, Phil Skadlowski Baritone Sax
“Firstly, a thought about saxophones: The sax section is the only one of the four in which the instruments are different sizes. The three, and sometimes four types, are aligned with the range of the human voice...thus the designation of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.” Ken Jones
“The saxophone section in a big band primarily provides melodic and harmonic support, often playing rich blended chordal passages and countermelodies often referred to as a soli. They contribute to the band's signature lush sound and drive rhythmic energy especially in up-tempo swing or jazz pieces and often showcase the virtuosity of individual improvised solos.” Paul Mifsud
Rhythm Section:
Bassist, Guitarist, Pianist and Percussionist
“There are usually four instruments here, but sometimes, with the addition of percussion, five. I will briefly outline their function.
Drum set - Going back to the early 1900s, the drum set produces a variety of colours, using metal cymbals and typical drum sounds. Drummers set and keep the tempo, style of music/beat and timbre.
Percussion - Follow the tempo of the drummer, the percussion instruments, like shakers, cowbells or a variety of drums, add rhythmic drive and colour to the band.
String Bass - The acoustic or electric bass has two functions. One is to play in time with the drummer to produce a low, driving sound, and the other is to produce pitch to match the chords of the guitar and piano.
Guitar (usually electric) and Piano - These instruments have three functions; Rhythm, harmony and melody. Unlike the other instruments, they can play multiple notes at the same time, called chords. Keeping the rhythm in time with the bass and drums while accompanying soloists is called 'comping'.” Ken Jones
