Handsome Dave & The Ravens
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Handsome Dave & The Ravens

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF
Band Rock Blues

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"United Way Trumpets Education at Battle of The Bands"

Chicago musicians went head to head for glory and for education at the North Shore United Way Battle of the Bands, attracting more than 100 audience members Tuesday night at Evanston SPACE.
Five bands competed at the downtown venue, 1245 Chicago Ave., for both the judges' and the audience's favors, as proceeds from ticket sales and donations raised money for a new United Way Metropolitan Chicago initiative called Live United 2020. The initiative will focus on community investments in the areas of income, health and education in the Chicago area for the next 10 years.
Rock and blues trio Handsome Dave & The Ravens captured the judges' favorite award, winning a time slot at Phase Recording Studios. Acoustic and electric rock quartet DeXter took home the audience favorite accolade win.
Dan Sloan, music director and DJ at Northwestern radio station WNUR, served as one of the judges of the night, along with music producer Matt Feddermann of Phase Recording Studios in Highland Park and noted Chicago musician and blues guitarist Dave Specter.
UWMC chose Evanston as a partner community for Live United's education platform, both for the city's level of need and its ability to absorb and effectively use donations, said Sarah Frick, director of marketing and communication at UWMC.
Live United will target early education and middle school students in Evanston to ensure their academic success in high school and beyond.
"Evanston has always been within our footprints and now we're going much more narrow and deep into the community," Frick said.
UWMC will allocate education resources through Evanston non-profit organizations, including the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston and the Youth Organizations Umbrella. They will also handpick which grants to fund out of the over $25 million in education grants that have been requested in Evanston, allocating a total of about $9.3 million to various recipients.
United Way members and musicians alike touted the cause.
"It's all about the kids," said Conrad Nowak, guitarist for the Chicago-based band The Nuisance, which entertained the crowd second with their rock covers and original songs.
The ultimate goal of Live United 2020's education initiative is to prepare 50,000 underperforming students in the Chicago area to enter high school, according to the UWMC website.
"This is about our workforce and education," Frick said. "If we don't have a workforce coming out of Chicago that is nationally and globally competitive, we have a really big problem."
marissake2013@u.northwestern.edu
Correction (9/24/11): A clarification has been inserted regarding the dollar amount of grants United Way gives out. United Way received $25 million in grant requests, but the actual money allocated to recipients totals to about $9.3 million. - Daily Northwestern


"United Way Trumpets Education at Battle of The Bands"

Chicago musicians went head to head for glory and for education at the North Shore United Way Battle of the Bands, attracting more than 100 audience members Tuesday night at Evanston SPACE.
Five bands competed at the downtown venue, 1245 Chicago Ave., for both the judges' and the audience's favors, as proceeds from ticket sales and donations raised money for a new United Way Metropolitan Chicago initiative called Live United 2020. The initiative will focus on community investments in the areas of income, health and education in the Chicago area for the next 10 years.
Rock and blues trio Handsome Dave & The Ravens captured the judges' favorite award, winning a time slot at Phase Recording Studios. Acoustic and electric rock quartet DeXter took home the audience favorite accolade win.
Dan Sloan, music director and DJ at Northwestern radio station WNUR, served as one of the judges of the night, along with music producer Matt Feddermann of Phase Recording Studios in Highland Park and noted Chicago musician and blues guitarist Dave Specter.
UWMC chose Evanston as a partner community for Live United's education platform, both for the city's level of need and its ability to absorb and effectively use donations, said Sarah Frick, director of marketing and communication at UWMC.
Live United will target early education and middle school students in Evanston to ensure their academic success in high school and beyond.
"Evanston has always been within our footprints and now we're going much more narrow and deep into the community," Frick said.
UWMC will allocate education resources through Evanston non-profit organizations, including the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston and the Youth Organizations Umbrella. They will also handpick which grants to fund out of the over $25 million in education grants that have been requested in Evanston, allocating a total of about $9.3 million to various recipients.
United Way members and musicians alike touted the cause.
"It's all about the kids," said Conrad Nowak, guitarist for the Chicago-based band The Nuisance, which entertained the crowd second with their rock covers and original songs.
The ultimate goal of Live United 2020's education initiative is to prepare 50,000 underperforming students in the Chicago area to enter high school, according to the UWMC website.
"This is about our workforce and education," Frick said. "If we don't have a workforce coming out of Chicago that is nationally and globally competitive, we have a really big problem."
marissake2013@u.northwestern.edu
Correction (9/24/11): A clarification has been inserted regarding the dollar amount of grants United Way gives out. United Way received $25 million in grant requests, but the actual money allocated to recipients totals to about $9.3 million. - Daily Northwestern


"North Shore United Way Celebrates New Education Initiatives With Music"

Congratulations to Handsome Dave & the Ravens, whose blues-inspired rock captured the “Judges’ Choice” award at the North Shore United Way’s Battle of the Bands on September 20th at SPACE in Evanston. - North Shore United Way Blog


"North Shore United Way Celebrates New Education Initiatives With Music"

Congratulations to Handsome Dave & the Ravens, whose blues-inspired rock captured the “Judges’ Choice” award at the North Shore United Way’s Battle of the Bands on September 20th at SPACE in Evanston. - North Shore United Way Blog


"HANDSOME DAVE & THE RAVENS’ MIKE SZYMANSKI TALKS DRUMS, MUSIC AND EDUCATION"

HANDSOME DAVE & THE RAVENS’ MIKE SZYMANSKI TALKS DRUMS, MUSIC AND EDUCATION

On Tuesday, September 20, the North Shore United Way will host the Battle of the Bands at Evanston SPACE to celebrate new education initiatives on the North Shore.
The event will feature five North Shore music groups, with sounds ranging from modern rock to Creole-style dance music. Performing live, The Basement Band, Dexter, Handsome Dave & the Ravens, Nuisance Band and Sweet Potato Zydeco Band, will compete for top honors in two categories: judge’s choice and audience favorite.
The North Shore United Way spoke with Michael Szymanski, a founder of Handsome Dave & the Ravens about his passion for music and its role in education.
“Our [band’s] mission is to preserve the integrity of rock and roll and blues,” Mike explained. “In the style of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, ZZ Top…”
Handsome Dave & the Ravens had its genesis online when Mike posted on Craig’s List, looking for a guitarist. Mike had played with other groups, but he wasn’t excited by their style of music. As a drummer with a passion for blues and rock, Mike knew he needed a change.
“I was playing urban techno rock and cover songs,” said Mike. “I wanted to be happy as a musician.”
A friend recommended he form his own band, and play the blues rock he loved. Once Mike recruited his new guitarist David Novak (Handsome Dave, that is), bassist and second Raven, Tom McGarry joined in. Dave and Tom had played together in a previous group, so the band was set.
Mike, Dave and Tom have been playing together for more than two years, with gigs including McDunna’s, Tilted Kilt, Goose Island, Silvie’s Lounge, Horseshoe, Risque Cafe, and Jerry’s. They’ve played at block parties, carnivals and special events. The Battle of the Bands on September 20th will be their second showing at SPACE in Evanston.
Mike has been drumming and playing percussion since 1998, after hearing a drum circle near the Lake.
“That’s when I really knew the drums were calling me,” he said. But as his sister tells it, he’s wanted to be a drummer since grammar school. “I don’t think my mom wanted me to play the drums,” Mike explained. “They were too loud. So I played the trumpet.”
The trumpet stirred Mike’s love for jazz music. His mother’s record collection, which she would play on weekends, solidified his love for rock and roll. And his English teacher, Mr. Peterson, inspired his future.
“I think I was influenced by my former instructor, Mr. Peterson,” said Mike. “He was just a really cool guy. He enjoyed music, he played in a band… He influenced me to go into teaching, and down the road I became a teacher too.”
“I actually ran into [Mr. Peterson] in a bar once where his friend was playing. I bought him a drink and told him he was a great influence in my life. I don’t teach anymore… but I might go back to teaching at some point.”
When Mike was a teacher, he used music to inspire students in his classroom. He would play violin tracks and give students the opportunity to discuss how the different segments made them feel. Then, he would relate those feelings to the poems they were reading in English class. The few times he taught in math lessons, he’d play “One is the Loneliest Number” by Three Dog Night and “Three is a Magic Number” from School House Rock.
“[Music classes] are the first classes to go if there’s a budget crisis,” Mike said. But Mike found that music engaged children who were at risk, whose attention was more difficult to capture. He believes it brought the lessons to life and made the black-and-white of reading a book more colorful and exciting.
“Music is everywhere and music can be an advantage in the classroom. It makes normal things more exciting… There are a thousand different ways to use it.”
To hear Mike perform with Handsome Dave & the Ravens, join the North Shore United Way on Sept. 20th at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 if purchased online ahead of the event at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/bands. To learn more about Mike and his band, visit the band’s website here.
Posted on behalf of Mary Teeter, a development manager at North Shore United Way.
- Metropolitan Chicago United Way Blog


"HANDSOME DAVE & THE RAVENS’ MIKE SZYMANSKI TALKS DRUMS, MUSIC AND EDUCATION"

HANDSOME DAVE & THE RAVENS’ MIKE SZYMANSKI TALKS DRUMS, MUSIC AND EDUCATION

On Tuesday, September 20, the North Shore United Way will host the Battle of the Bands at Evanston SPACE to celebrate new education initiatives on the North Shore.
The event will feature five North Shore music groups, with sounds ranging from modern rock to Creole-style dance music. Performing live, The Basement Band, Dexter, Handsome Dave & the Ravens, Nuisance Band and Sweet Potato Zydeco Band, will compete for top honors in two categories: judge’s choice and audience favorite.
The North Shore United Way spoke with Michael Szymanski, a founder of Handsome Dave & the Ravens about his passion for music and its role in education.
“Our [band’s] mission is to preserve the integrity of rock and roll and blues,” Mike explained. “In the style of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, ZZ Top…”
Handsome Dave & the Ravens had its genesis online when Mike posted on Craig’s List, looking for a guitarist. Mike had played with other groups, but he wasn’t excited by their style of music. As a drummer with a passion for blues and rock, Mike knew he needed a change.
“I was playing urban techno rock and cover songs,” said Mike. “I wanted to be happy as a musician.”
A friend recommended he form his own band, and play the blues rock he loved. Once Mike recruited his new guitarist David Novak (Handsome Dave, that is), bassist and second Raven, Tom McGarry joined in. Dave and Tom had played together in a previous group, so the band was set.
Mike, Dave and Tom have been playing together for more than two years, with gigs including McDunna’s, Tilted Kilt, Goose Island, Silvie’s Lounge, Horseshoe, Risque Cafe, and Jerry’s. They’ve played at block parties, carnivals and special events. The Battle of the Bands on September 20th will be their second showing at SPACE in Evanston.
Mike has been drumming and playing percussion since 1998, after hearing a drum circle near the Lake.
“That’s when I really knew the drums were calling me,” he said. But as his sister tells it, he’s wanted to be a drummer since grammar school. “I don’t think my mom wanted me to play the drums,” Mike explained. “They were too loud. So I played the trumpet.”
The trumpet stirred Mike’s love for jazz music. His mother’s record collection, which she would play on weekends, solidified his love for rock and roll. And his English teacher, Mr. Peterson, inspired his future.
“I think I was influenced by my former instructor, Mr. Peterson,” said Mike. “He was just a really cool guy. He enjoyed music, he played in a band… He influenced me to go into teaching, and down the road I became a teacher too.”
“I actually ran into [Mr. Peterson] in a bar once where his friend was playing. I bought him a drink and told him he was a great influence in my life. I don’t teach anymore… but I might go back to teaching at some point.”
When Mike was a teacher, he used music to inspire students in his classroom. He would play violin tracks and give students the opportunity to discuss how the different segments made them feel. Then, he would relate those feelings to the poems they were reading in English class. The few times he taught in math lessons, he’d play “One is the Loneliest Number” by Three Dog Night and “Three is a Magic Number” from School House Rock.
“[Music classes] are the first classes to go if there’s a budget crisis,” Mike said. But Mike found that music engaged children who were at risk, whose attention was more difficult to capture. He believes it brought the lessons to life and made the black-and-white of reading a book more colorful and exciting.
“Music is everywhere and music can be an advantage in the classroom. It makes normal things more exciting… There are a thousand different ways to use it.”
To hear Mike perform with Handsome Dave & the Ravens, join the North Shore United Way on Sept. 20th at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 if purchased online ahead of the event at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/bands. To learn more about Mike and his band, visit the band’s website here.
Posted on behalf of Mary Teeter, a development manager at North Shore United Way.
- Metropolitan Chicago United Way Blog


Discography

Visit http://www.handsomedavemusic.com for samples

www.youtube.com/watch?v=41iwDnPAWp0

Photos

Bio

"Handsome" Dave Nowak, a lifelong Chicagoan, is a guitar virtuoso. He began playing guitar at the age of 15. By age 17 Dave landed a gig as rhythm guitarist for Michael Charles, an established Australian blues guitarist/songwriter. It was in these formative days that David honed his unique and powerful skills with the guitar, both on the stage and in the studio. In 2009 David joined veteran Chicago blues-rock bassist, Tom McGarry and the two formed an immediate musical bond and decided to pursue David's dream of fronting a blues-based power trio. Chicagoan Mike Szymanski, a talented drummer, has rounded out the Ravens' back line since the band was formed.

The band's influences include legendary blues-rockers Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Jeff Beck and Rory Gallagher (and you will definitely note these 60's and 70's rock and blues guitar legends and their works interpreted in the band's lofty repertoire ) but David also draws influences from hard rock "shredders" like Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Joe Satriani and contemporary great Joe Bonamassa.

Dave says: "I love the blues, but I grew up listening to 80s heavy metal bands...so I find myself applying quite a bit of those guitar tones and techniques to the blues." We think it is a perfect synthesis.

Handsome Dave's live performances are muscular and thrilling to experience. With the Ravens' highly complementary back line added, the listener immediately is struck by the realization that the trio's sound is vastly greater than the sum of its parts.

In late 2011, Handsome Dave & The Ravens were voted as the top performing band by judges including radio, recording and performing artists at a "Battle of the Bands" at SPACE, Evanston.