Hello,

Since I don't do Facebook or Twitter, I thought this would be the best way to let you know when and where I am appearing and what I've been doing. Many of you have asked, and I honestly can't keep up with where all of you are. So here I am, with all the latest info in one place. I hope to be able to keep in touch with more of you this way, and now you can contact me right here at the site. Thanks for visiting.

This site went online in 2011 and is written in "blog" style. I have created a page for 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Each year ends at the TOP, so start at the bottom (or where you left off) and work your way up. This is the page for 2011.

2011---

I have played many New Year's Eve jobs with many different bands but Dec. 31, 2011 was the first time it was in the aternoon! The Altenheim in Strongsville hosted a Seniors New Year's Eve dance from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with music by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. In 2009 Altenheim bought a small church building right next door and turned into the Altenheim Community Center. This was the fourth date the TOPS band played there in 2011. We already have four dates booked there for 2012.

The RECREATION LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND, a private, invitational organization representing many of Cleveland's "founding families," was formed in 1927 by a group of parents who wanted "to provide supervised recreation and wholesome entertainment" for their sons and daughters. A constitution was adopted, and FRANCES P. BOLTON was elected as first president. In its early years the league sponsored coasting parties, afternoon tea dances, and other entertainment for the children (juniors, ages 14-16, seniors, 16-18). In Dec. 1937 the league held its first Assembly Ball for the members' college-freshmen daughters, patterned after the Philadelphia Assembly Ball (1748). The Christmas holiday festivity, in which approx. 50 young ladies are formally introduced to Cleveland society, has been described as a "family affair," as the debutantes ("hostesses") are led down the UNION CLUB OF CLEVELAND staircase (the usual setting for this annual event) by their fathers in the traditional Grand March, greet their families and friends at a formal reception, and conclude the evening with a dinner and dance with their escorts. For several years, I have played the Grand March and the background music for the formal reception along with Don Day, bass; Bob McKee, drums; and Dr. John Petrone, piano. The event was held on Dec. 28th at the Union Club.

D'Agnese's Trattoria and Ristorante in Akron was the venue for Don Disantis' Band on Saturday, Dec. 17th. I always enjoy playing our holiday repertoire, Daughter Jennie and her husband Al Papesh brought Jen's friend Holly (visiting from West Virginia) to hear the band. Holly wants to come back the next time she's in town.

On Sunday, December 11th I had the priveledge to perform the John Rutter "Gloria" at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. It was a delight to play with the likes of Jack Brndiar and Kent Cleland from the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory faculty; Michael Chunn, Kent State University Professor of Trumpet; and Ron Bishop, retired Cleveland Orchestra Tuba player. The choir director was Dr. William Foley, my fraternity brother when I was a freshman at Baldwin-Wallace back in 1960-61. Four trumpets, three trombones, tuba, 2 percussion, choir and organ. What a sound! Both services went very well and were quite well attended. I was able to get home, grab some lunch and relax a bit before heading over to the Strongsville Community Band's Winter Concert at 3:00 p.m. The concert opened with Shostakovitch's Festive Overture. I survived the concert with help from Jim Heinrich and Reinhold (Reiny) Toerek who also play the 1st trumpet parts. Thanks, guys.

Raintree Country Club in Uniontown hosted the annual Italian-American Professional Businessmen's Association of Akron's Christmas party on December 10th and the Don Disantis group again provided the holiday music for dinner and dancing. I hope they want us again next December.

McGregor Home in Cleveland Heights saw the Cleveland TOPS Swingband perform for the residents on Nov. 30th from 7 to 8 p.m.

The B-W Alumni Brass Collective played a free Brown Bag luncheon concert for an enthustiac audience at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fairview Park on Nov. 29th.

November 20, 2011 - I can't believe it's been 56 DAYS since I updated this site. So much has happened it will probably take a couple of days to fill in all the blanks. Fortunately, my written calendar will be a big help in that regard. I've played two neat Jazz gigs with Columbus musicians and did a one week Ohio tour with the New Chordettes. But I'm getting ahead of myself... A nice crowd greeted the Don Disantis Orchestra on Saturday, November 19th at D'Agnese's in Akron for our monthly visit. The next one is Dec. 17th.

On Tuesday, November 15th, the tour with the New Chordettes began. The rehearsal was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the Aladdin Shrine Event Center in Columbus and the first show was at 1:30. The hstory of this vocal group is here. You can also "google" New Chordettes for more info. In an interesting turn of events, Don Disantis was hired to open the show, billed as A Big Band Tribute To Veterans with songs that won the war (WWII). The band was nine pieces: three saxes, two trumpets, one trombone, piano, bass, and drums. Not really a "full" big band in the tradition of Harry James, Glenn Miller, and the Dorsey Brothers with five saxes and eight brass, but if carefully written, the arrangements can sound quite authentic. The bandleader was drummer Tom Fries and the pianist was Doug Day, Don's musical director. Tom was the contractor for the Jimmy Dorsey shows I've done and the Al Martino tours and many others. Since Don did not have "big band" arrangements, I volunteered to write them. Don's segment included: Opus One, How About You, I've Heard That Song Before, It Had To Be You, You'll Never Know, Salute To The Services, and Saturday Night (is the Loneliest Night of the Week). The Chordettes came out and did about forty minures (about 10 numbers), then Don returned and we closed the show with everybody singing God Bless America. From Columbus we went to Packard Music Hall in Warren on Wednesday the 16th, Croatian Lodge Hall in Eastlake on Thursday the 17th, and two shows (1:30 and 8:00) at Carrie Cerino's Party Center in North Royalton on Friday the 18th. What a week! The girls were delightful and the band played my charts with great gusto.

Ray Rinaldi is one of my heroes. I became aware of Ray when I was taking trumpet lessons from Joe Hruby in the 1950s. Joe would bring in the Broadway musical's trumpet part he was playing at the Hanna Theater and we would "read" through it as part of my training. He would tell me stories about the "Three Musketeers" ---Joe Trzcinski, Ray Rinaldi, and himself. They were the top three trumpet players in town at the time and were getting all the work. I even took a few lessons from Ray in Willoughby when I was in college at Baldwin-Wallace. During that time it was Ray who gave me a break in the business. When his father passed away, Ray hired me to sub for him for a week at the Front Row Theater and I got to play for Sammy Davis, Jr. In 2005, when Joe Trzcinski was asked by Dick Wooley to find musicians for a band (to become known as the Cleveland TOPS Swingband), Ray Rinaldi was one of the first to be contacted. Health problems have caught up with Ray and so Monday, November 14th, the TOPS band went out to Mentor-Way Rehab Facility where Ray is living and played a concert for him and his friends. Ray was thrilled to see and hear us again. We sure miss him. The band played GREAT!

November 11, 2011 was Veteran's Day. It was my pleasure and an honor to play "Taps" for the Copoppa Elementary School Veterans Day program. The continental breakfast for veterans attending was a nice touch, too. I hope they ask me again next year.

John Vermullen is a very fine saxophone player from Columbus. He was on the Jimmy Dorsey Band gig that I played in New York back in June and he also is Vaughn Wiester's lead alto player in the Famous Jazz Orchestra. John has an octet book and invited me to play a concert with him at Ashland High School on Monday, November 7th. The Ashland Big Band Society meets Monday nights and brings in bands from all around the state. There is no rehearsal, just show up and play. Jon Hall, the trombone player was also a sub and John paid us a nice compliment: "It's nice having subs in the band that don't sound like subs." Cool, eh? Thanks, John. Anytime.

The Columbia Foundation Gala Fundraiser held at Columbia Hills Country Club on Saturday, November 5th was a big success as the Don Disantis Orchestra provided the musical entertainment for the third year in a row. I love gigs that are less than five miles from home. I packed the car and left the gig at 11:40 p.m. and arrived home at 11:50. The best!

Trinity Lutheran Church on W. 30th south of Lorain Rd. (near St. Ignatius High School) presented the B-W Alumni Brass Collective in a Brown Bag noontime program on Wednesday, November 2nd. Old, european-style churches are impressive venues for brass ensembles.

On Saturday, October 29th, Hamlet Hills Village in Chagrin Falls was the site of a TOPS band "thank you" concert honoring Buddy Sullivan for his contribution to the success of the band. From there I went directly to D'Agnese's in Akron for the monthly appearance of the Don Disantis Orchestra.

Vaughn Wiester called me to sub in his trumpet section with his Famous Jazz Orchestra for a Oct. 24th gig. They play every Monday night at the Clintonville Woman's Club. I'd not been to this venue, located in a suburb of Columbus near the Ohio State University campus. In fact, we drove past the OSU stadium to get there. The band has quite a following and Vaughn has added a lot of new tunes to the book since I was last there. I got to play the "Jazz" book and was featured on quite a few numbers "much to my surprise." The band has five trumpets, four trombones, tuba, five saxophones, two FRENCH HORNS, piano, bass, and drums. A vocalist sat in and did about five tunes on the second set.

The Don Disantis group provided dance music for a ballrom dance club's dinner dance at Lakewood Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 15th. The staff there said they hadn't heard "good music" like that in quite some time.

On Wednesday, October 12th, Trinity Cathedral was the site of the Cleveland TOPS Swingband noon concert for the Trinity Brown Bag Concert Series. Again, well attended and very well received. We look forward to this every year.

The Don Disantis Orchestra played a private party at Erieview Towers on Thursday, Oct. 6th, from 5-8 p.m. From the sixth floor you can see all over downtown Cleveland. Cool.

Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station hosted a (second annual) Gospel Fest on Saturday, October 1st as a fundraiser for church projects. I ran sound for the vocal groups and the B-W Alumni Brass Collective performed to conclude the concert.

The TOPS Band played a concert at Alta House in Little Italy on Thursday, Sept. 29th. I was unfamiliar with this cultural center of the neighborhood.

September 26, 2011 - The B-W Alumni Brass Collective appeared at the Strongsville Historical Society Harvest Days event yesterday. The rain held off and we were able to play about an hour (13 selections). The program included Rondeau - Moret (theme from Masterpiece Theater), Colonel Bogey March, Holst Second Military Suite, Amazing Grace, and more.

D'Agnese's Ristorante and Trattoria in Akron has become a "steady" gig for the Don Disantis Orchestra. We are there once a month and have been extended into 2012. Saturday, Sept. 24th was the latest visit to that venue.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband resumed rehearsing at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. The band was so busy over the summer that we didn't have an opportunity to rehearse. We'll be playing Trinity's Brown Bag Concert on Wednesday, Oct. 12th from noon to 1:00. Stop in if you're downtown that day; the concert is free and lunch is available for a nominal charge. That evening I played Doc McDonald's annual gig at DeLuca's in the Park (Lorain). Doc is a retired dentist and spends most of the year in Florida but gets the big band together for one gig a year and this was it. Anthony & Jimmy Anastasi and Joe Trczinski joined me in the trumpet section and it was nice to see Woody Hartman on drums and Doug Day on piano.

Checking the Strongsville Community Band's Facebook page, I found a video of our trumpet trio playing Bugler's Holiday at the Hudson concert. Scroll down to "Playing at the Hudson Bandstand..."

I don't often have three events on one day but there it was on my calendar. Marcia was out of town so I directed our church choir on Sunday, Sept. 18th. I went directly to the Strongsville Metropark for a 12:15 TOPS performance for Arts in Strongsville's A Day at the Chalet event that also had a performance by the Strongsville Community Band. The weather was nice and the event was very well attended.

The Italian wedding reception at the State Theater in Cleveland on September 10th was quite an affair. A big band, a rock band, an Italian street festival band, and the musicians even got fed and watered. Simona Rodano jetted in from New York to sing three songs in Italian (my arrangements). My fourth arrangement was for the introduction of the bridal party. This was the first time I had ever seen "gift bags" at the dessert table and guests were certainly taking advantage.

September 8th found the Don Disantis Orchestra at Tippecanoe Country Club in Canfield (near Youngstown). We played for the club members and were also treated to a nice dinner. If we get asked back it may be on a Saturday night or for a special club function.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband is winding down its summer concert schedule. We played at Cardinal Retirement Village in Cuyahoga Falls on Sept. 1st, and we will be at Montifiore Home in Beachwood on Sept. 6th, and Jennings Center for Older Adults on Sept. 15th. for a 95th birthday party.

September 5, 2011 - It's Labor Day and I am very thankful to have so many musical activities on my calendar. I'm looking forward to the Tom Fries gig this Saturday as I've been hired to write three four arrangements for the wedding reception at the State Theater in downtown Cleveland. I'll be playing, too. Many of the guys are the same as the last Dorsey gig. Fun.

On Sunday, August 28th the B-W Alumni Brass Collective provided all the music for morning worship at Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station. Prelude, four hymns (three arranged by David Betts), offertory, two prayer responses, and postlude. The congregation has come to expect a peppy, dixieland selection and we delivered. The postlude was our first public performance of the Canadian Brass' "Glory, Look Away." A nice reception coffee hour followed thanks to the worship committee.

When I arrived at the Shaker Gardens apartments on Aug. 24th to play the TOPS concert, I realized it was the old Shaker House Motor Inn where Harry Hershey used to entertain. It was nice to have room to spread out our 21 piece band for a change and the senior residents were very receptive to our presentation. Following that, I headed out to the Painesville Gazebo for the Don Disantis band make-up concert that was rained out back on Aug. 3rd.

Outdoor summer concerts are at the mercy of the elements. The Strongsville Community Band concert on the square in Hudson on Sunday, Aug. 21st got off to rousing start with a John Williams march from the movie "1944" and we followed that with trumpet soloist Jack Brndiar playing Herbert L. Clarke's "The Debutant." Next I joined Jack and his student, Ryan Harris, in a performance of Leroy Anderson's "Bugler's Holiday." Here is a video from the band's Facebook page. Scroll down to "Playing at the Hudson Bandstand..." Ken Mehalko continued with his part of the program directing "A Salute to Hoagy Carmichael." Loras John Schissel took over the baton and we began the overture "Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna." The sky had been getting darker all along but we thought we could get the full concert played. Not so, as the skies opened up in the middle of the overture and drenched everyone as they ran for their cars. Thank you to the nice folks in Hudson for inviting us.

Conneaut, Ohio holds an annual event in August each year celebrating patriotism with a tribute to D-Day. The Don Disantis Orchestra's annual gig on Friday, August 19th kicks off a weekend patriotic celebration, complete with World War II aircraft, amphibious vehicles, and uniformed re-enactors recreating the D-Day landing. I want to arrive early next year to see all the WW II items and check out all the activities. Our concert was, again, well attended.

August 15, 2011 - The annual big band concert by the Strongsville City Jazz was held in Strongsville's Ehrnfelt Event Center on Friday, August 12th. Tom Rathburn was able to extract the audio from some video clips of the concert he shot with his Canon PowerShot S95. It would be nice to post them. Nice crowd for a good concert. This band should get out more.

Laurel Lake in Hudson was the scene of a Don Disantis concert for residents and friends on Wednesday, Aug. 10th. This is one of the most beautiful facilities I have seen in northeast Ohio. They liked us well enough to invite us back. Very nice folks out there. Thanks.

Sunday, Aug. 7th found the B-W Alumni Brass Collective at Church of the Asenscion in Lakewood playing for the 10:30 a.m. worship service. We will be at Columbia United Methodist Church on Aug. 28th at 10:30 a.m.

On Friday, Aug. 5th the Strongsville Community Band hosted a concert by the ConcertBand Maasmewchelen from Belgium. They were on a concert tour of Michigan and Ohio during a stay at Blue Lake Fine Arts Summer Camp in Michigan. Playing to a packed house at the Ehrnfelt Event Center, they were superb and well received by everyone.

The Don Disantis group returned to the Willoughby Gazebo the evening of Aug. 4th for what is becoming an annual summer concert event. Another good crowd enjoyed the nice weather. I'm glad I brought my box fan to keep the air moving.

The Cleveland TOPS (Tough Old ProS) Swingband played for the residents at Lakewood Senior Health Campus on Aug. 4th and Altenheim in Strongsville on Aug. 11th. The gazebo at Altenheim is quite small (the singers, Dick, and Doug & his piano were outside the gazebo. Cozy, but we made it work.

August 3, 2011 - With the rain showers on and off in Painesville, the Don Disantis Orch. concert at the gazebo on the square has been moved to Wed. Aug. 24th. Last year we had just begun to play the concert when a storm came in from Lake Erie. We had to make a quick exit as electronic gear and water don't play well together.

The TOPS Band concert at Lakewood Park Bandstand on Sunday, July 31st was another battle with the elements. Temperature near 90° and a lot of humidity, plus facing directly into the setting sun makes this annual event as tough as any. The Lakewood crowd really enjoyed the band as indicated by applause for each soloist. Thanks to Nora Wooley for the bottles of water and the food to help sustain us. It was nice to see Reinhold and Joyce Toerek at the concert. Bob Rice and Al Melfi, too. Thanks to all for being there.

It was good to be back at D'Agnese's in Akron again (July 30). The Don Disantis group plays there once a month. The next time we're there (Aug. 27) I plan to treat my sister to dinner.

Coe Lake in Berea was the setting for the Berea Seniors picnic on Friday, July 29th. Don Disantis entertained with a free concert. Many friends were there enjoying the weather (hot, but tolerable).

I completed the Strongsville Community Band CD project on July 27th by delivering the final 89 units. The 300 CDs are being used as a "Thank You" to patrons and contributors.

The TOPS band continues their summer tradition of playing a multitude of nursing home concerts. We were at Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland on July 26th, and Falling Water Health Care in Strongsville on July 28th.

The B-W Alumni Brass Collective performance at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Olmsted Falls for the morning worship service on July 24th was well received. David Betts wrote some wonderful hymn arrangements and the picnic that followed had great home-cooked food.

July 23, 2011 - Tonight is the last performance of "All Shook Up." I've enjoyed my time at Sandstone Community Theater in Amherst and I'll be sorry to see it come to an end. The cast is GREAT! and everyone has been so nice, I'm glad I could help them out. When their trumpet player had to drop out because another committment had been extended, I was asked to fill in. I already had 22 playing obligations in July but ALL EIGHT dates fit my schedule. Amazing.

The TOPS band was warmly greeted at St. John Neumann Church on July 20th. They gave us a standing ovation after the concert and were very intereded in our CDs. Thank you to all attendees.

I met an interesting fellow at Center Ridge Health Care in North Ridgeville the day TOPS played a concert there. Remember Dave Hawthorne? He was the late night DJ on several radio stations in Cleveland during his career including WJW-850 AM. He played JAZZ, from his own collection. Do you remember: "the jazz lamp has been lit?" I listened to him many a night on the way home from a gig. He is now a resident of that facility and I'm glad I got a chance to meet him and tell him how much I enjoyed his choice of music.

The concert with the Mike Jacobs Band on July 17 went well but it was very warm, even with the breeze coming in off Lake Erie. I'll be glad when this heat wave is over.

The wedding on July 16 afforded the chance to have Brian Day join the Don Disantis Orchestra for some nifty Rock & Roll songs the bride and groom had requested. His father is Doug Day, our musical director and arranger. Doug wrote out some nice horn parts for Bob Gref and me to play behind Brian. Selections included Bad Moon Rising, Drift Away, Runaround Sue, Old Time Rock and Roll, Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash), Take It Easy (Eagles). I hope we can do it again, the four hour gig went by quickly.

July 10, 2011 --- The Don Disantis Orchestra was again one of the featured acts for the Annual Italian-American Festival in Akron (their 64th year) July 8th and 10th. The weather was a bit warm but there was a nice breeze most of the time. I hope we can do it again next year. Great food, and a really good time.

Marcia and I saw a wonderful fireworks show at Settler's Landing in the Flats on Monday, July 4th. I was there with Dr. John Petrone and The Little Sousa Band entertaining the crowd as the sun set over the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. A breeze blowing in off Lake Erie with temps in the mid-70s made for a very pleasant evening. Thanks to Don Day of the Hal Lynn Agency for putting the band together for the RTA Family Fun Fest again this year.

My sister, Joyce Barrett, took these photos and I think she is developing into a really good photographer. If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area she might be able work you into her schedule. Let me know and I will put you in touch with her. Maybe she will let me post some other samples of her work.

Sunday afternoon, July 3rd the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played for Joe Tripodo's 90th birthday party at LaVera Party Center in Willoughby. A large crowd sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" to Joe and his bride, led by TOPS vocalist, Ron Davis. You can keep up with TOPS at www.topsswingband.com.

Saturday, July 2nd was my first opportunity to play with Mike Jacobs and his band: Mike on drums, Brian Dorr, bass; Lenny Thomas, piano; Bob Gref, sax & clarinet; and Tony Heins, trombone. It was the 4th of July weekend celebration for the city of Chardon. We'll be in Wickliffe on Sunday, July 17th.

Friday, July 1st was the second concert of the 21st summer season by the Strongsville Community Band. The Historical Society hosted the concert at their site and the band played Civil War music in honor of the July 4th holiday weekend. The band's website is www.strongsvillecommunityband.com. Director Ken Mehalko and the board came up with the idea of a "Concert Highlights" CD to give to the patrons as a thank you for their support. The task of producing the CD came to me and I have delivered 211 units to date with an additional 89 to go. We used highlights from 2004-2010 and this CD is Volume One.

Occasionally, I am asked how my film making is coming along. I'm waiting for a script to be completed for a film that has been edited and is ready to have narration and music added. Other than that, I have no projects pending. My music activities are keeping me quite busy and I've decided not to hire outside help to complete the film. I will see this project through. I do have some ideas for a few web video projects.

The B-W Alumni Brass Collective will resume regular rehearsals on Tuesday, July 12th. Peter Hoekje has been in Paris, France for a month and we all eagerly await his return. Other members of the quintet are Randy Border, tuba; Linda Gardner, horn; David Betts, trombone; Peter and I are the trumpeters. We will provide music for worship at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Olmsted Falls on July 24th and at Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station on August 28th. We will also appear at the Strongsville Historical Society on Sunday, September 25th from 3-4 p.m. and at the 2nd Annual Gospel Fest at Columbia United Methodist Church on October 1st.

I would like to thank the Baldwin-Wallace College Alumni Association for my Alumni Merit Award. I was one of six to be so honored this year. Thanks to Bryan Byrne for the nice article in the Strongsville Sun News. Ann Morrison also wrote about it in the Strongsville Post.

My experience in Lake Chautauqua, New York with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers on June 27th was way cool. It was my fourth time with the band (second with the Pipers) since December 18, 2010. The three-hour 45 min. drive through several construction zones was no picnic as I lost over an hour of travel time but the weather was good, the rehearsal went well, and we were served a nice Italian pasta supper. We had some down time to relax before the show and since it went late, those who wanted to stay over were given a room at Webb's Lake Resort in Mayville, NY about three miles from the concert venue. Check back soon for more updates. Thanks for visiting my site.

Jim