About Us
DK (Danny Kealey) Orchestra
Band Biography
The Danny Kealey Orchestra started in 1962 as a 4 piece combo that played in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area for private clubs and service organizations. In 1980 the band expanded to a 6 piece orchestra and played in the four state areas of South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. The band still played for clubs and service organizations, but also included ballrooms, dance halls, and larger venues. In 1994 the band began to play in the Mesa, Arizona area at retirement communities during the winter and back in the Midwest during the summer. In 2005 the band permanently relocated to Mesa, Arizona and is now available throughout the entire year. Today’s band is a 6 piece orchestra consisting of Piano, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, and two Saxophones.
The musicians have been with the band from 3 to 12 years and come from many different parts of the country. These areas include Chicago, IL, Sacramento, CA, Torrance, CA, San Francisco, CA, Grant City, MO, and Phoenix and Mesa , AZ. The band members bring a vast level of musical experience including performances with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Frank Sinatra Jr., the Christopher Williams Orchestra, Liberace, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton, US Air Force Band, The Keith Boutte’ Big Band, The Ebb Tide Orchestra, The Esquires Music Foundation, The Swing Memories Big Band, The Sammy Jensen Orchestra, The Havin’ Fun Band, Ran Wilde Orchestra, Don Glasser, Les Elgart, Buddy Morrow and various local shows and concerts.
The band’s musical program includes songs from the 1920’s all the way through the 1980’s, specializing in music for dancing and listening from all eras and styles. Included in this music are Swing, Fox Trot, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Samba, Mambo, Waltz, Polka, light Rock and Roll, and special numbers for those special occasions. The band continues to expand its musical library, allowing us to provide the music our audiences like to hear. The band has played at many different events over the years including ballroom dances, social dances, parties, and special events. They now look forward to continue performing and entertaining in the Valley of the Sun all year round.