Born and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Stan Bann began his musical career playing the baritone horn (or euphonium). Adding trombone as a "double" in high school his switch to trombone as his primary instrument was completed with his enrollment at Berklee College of Music in 1974.
While at Berklee Stan studied trombone with Phil Wilson, Tom Plsek, and Tony Lada among others. In spite of a declared composition major Stan's reading skills placed him in high demand in the Berklee recording studio ensembles. Stan also performed as a member of the Berklee International Dues Band. He continued to play euphonium, touring on the instrument with the MIT Concert Band in the spring of 1978.
Returning to Minneapolis after Berklee Stan continued to perform in a variety of ensembles (jazz combos, big bands, trombone choirs, concert bands) on both trombone and euphonium. He also assumed writing chores for most of the bands with which he played. During the 1980s Stan found time to continue his musical interests while starting a family and earning his MBA from the University of Saint Thomas.
In 1990 Stan formed the Stan Bann Big Band. The band has performed monthly at O'Gara's in Saint Paul since 1991 as well as being in demand for concerts and festivals in and around the Twin Cities. The band released "Good Intentions" on the Sea Breeze Jazz label in 1997 featuring many of Stan's originals. His compositions are available for purchase through Walrus Music Publishing. Also during the '90s Stan began private study in composition and arranging with the world-renowned jazz pianist Frank Mantooth, a friend and mentorship that remained until Frank's untimely passing in early 2004.
In 1999 Stan wrote a piece for orchestra and big band in honor of Duke Ellington's centenary. Premiered in February '99 by the Stan Bann Big Band and the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, "At Sunsets" combined the color and expressive qualities of the orchestra with the excitement and Latin rhythms of the jazz band. "At Sunsets" is featured on the Stan Bann Big Band's "Stratford Blue" release. Stan has received enthusiastic acclaim from musicians and critics worldwide for his writing and trombone performance on this album.
The Bann family is an extremely musical family ("We make a lot of noise," as Stan says). Cheryl Bann plays keyboards with the big band (along with clarinet and percussion on the "Stratford Blue" release) and recently retired from the 451st Army Band after twenty years. She served as principal clarinetist in their concert band, director of the 451st Stage Band, in addition to roles as solo pianist and member of their jazz combo. Cheryl also runs her own marketing strategies business and travels extensively as a speaker and consultant. Both children (daughter Maralyssa and son Michael) in addition to being accomplished pianists perform on other instruments (Maralyssa on trumpet and Michael is a percussionist). Both Mara and Mike are studying at the University of Minnesota and proud members of the "Pride of Minnesota", the Golden Gopher Marching Band. Ski-U-Mah!
Stan continues to be involved in jazz pedagogy and performance particularly in and around his hometown of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He is also an advocate for expanded roles for music and the arts in public education.