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 pages 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 current page. Click on the Appearances link at the top to see where I will be playing.

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My final gig of 2014 was Saturday, Dec. 27th at the Union Club in Cleveland. 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.

At Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station, we have an in-house brass ensemble. Doug Painting on trumpet, Ann Painting on French Horn, and their son, David, on trombone, joined me for four Christmas Carols at the opening of the 11:00 p.m. service. Our choir sang at the 7:00 service. It's so nice to the church filled with people and red poinsiettas.

The BW Alumni Brass Collective played for a Sunday afternoon Christmas church service at Lakewood's Church of the Ascension from 4-5:15 on Dec. 21st. It was well attended which was the goal.

Strongsville Community Band gave their Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 14th from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Ehrnfelt Senior Center. Newly hired BW University Band Director Dr. Brendan Caldwell guest directed the opening selection: Lenord Bernstein's "Overture to Candide." What a ride it was.

The Vermillion Boat Club held it's annual Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 13th. I had an enjoyable evening with the Swing City Big Band...always a pleasure to work with Terry Kitchen and the guys and Cindy Smith's vocals "knock me out."

Strongsville United Church of Christ was the site of a unique holiday concert by the Strongsville City Big Band on Friday, Dec. 12th. The 7:30 p.m. concert featured well-known favorites like Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger, We Three Kings, Silent Night, Santa Clause is Comin' to Town, and more...all in a swingin' big band style. This was a concert to benfit the church's music ministry. Several in the audience wondered how Christmas songs could "swing" so we showed them. If we do this again, perhaps we can find Duke Ellington's version of the "Nutcracker Suite."

Wednesday, Dec. 10th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played for the residents of the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve in Westlake. The 2:30 performance included several holiday favorites as well as big band classics. It was nice that we were not in a small, cramped space so the band sounded very good in that room. We'd like to return.

The Lawrwence Welk Christmas Show came to Ohio for two performances Dec. 7 & 8. Tom Fries and his Orchestra backed up the four acts with precision playing (gotta have that for tap dancers). The 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 show was given at the Mentor High School Fine Arts Center. Joining me in the horn section was Bob Gref on tenor sax & clarinet, and Dave Kasper on alto sax & clarinet. The next day the show moved to the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus for a very entertaining 2:00 show. Tap dancer/singer Arthur Duncan can still move at 81 yrs. old and Mary Lou Metzger still sounds and looks great at 62. She was the emcee, sang and danced. The audience loved it.

Residents of Mt. Saint Joseph Senior Living in Euclid were very happy to see the Cleveland TOPS Swingband return for a holiday concert on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

The Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimers Foundation held a benefir luncheon & dance on Sunday, Nov. 23rd from 1-4 p.m. at Landerhaven Event Center in Mayfield Village. Terry Kitchen's Swing City Big Band provided the musical entertainment. I enjoy this band every time I get the call to sub.

The Christmas Connection at the I-X Center was held the weekend of Nov. 21-23. As a member of the BW Alumni Brass Collective (quintet), I was privledged to perform an hour of Christmas music for the bargain hunters on Friday evening Nov. 21st from 6-7 p.m. We were sandwiched between the younger and older Singing Angels and is becoming an annual event for us.

Thursday, Nov. 20 - the Cleveland TOPS Swingband returned to Parker Place in Mentor on Thursday, Nov. 13th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. We just played to a huge crowd there in August. This time the weather kept some people home as the area was just starting to get pounded with lake-effect snow. I arrived in under an hour but took 90 minutes to get home. One band member who lives 1.4 miles east of Parker Place was stuck in traffic for 2.5 HOURS. As I type this Buffalo, NY is expected to get another two feet on top of the six feet of snow they already got las week. News reports say there is snow in 50 states. Wow!

Trinity Cathedral of Cleveland presented the Cleveland TOPS Swingband in a Brown Bag Concert on Wednesday,Nov. 12th. from 12-1:00 p.m. A very large crowd (above) enjoyed the performance and a big thank you to Frank Cosenza and Al Couch for a great job in the trumpet section. I think we came close to last year's record 375+ attendees.

I got a call from Anthony Triffiletti on Friday afternoon, Nov. 7th. He was conducting the musical "Gypsy" at the Lorain Palace Theater the following night and needed a 2nd trumpet player. I had played two shows for him at Sandstone Summer Theater in Amherst a couple of years back so he knew my work. And so the next night I headed out to Lorain to play the show "cold." I was surprised to find an orchestra of three trumpets, three trombones, french horn, four reeds (with doubles), acoustic piano, synth bass, synth strings, and a drummer. I love the challenge of performing without benefit of rehearsal. I told Anthony that I am more available now with the hope that I can play his "Jesus Christ, Superstar" production in May.

Wednesday, November 5th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Willow Park Nursing Home in Cleveland from 2:30-3:30 p.m. A small but enthusiastic audience loved our presentation.

Euclid Beach Amusement Park...oh, the memories. When I was in high school in the 1950s, I would ride the local bus to the end of the line at the park and spend summer days hanging out riding roller coasters then take the bus back home. The park is gone but the arches remain. Manor Care built a senior living facility on the grounds and on Wednesday, Oct 22nd the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Thanks to Larry Husicker (bass) and Dan Maier (piano) for filling in.

Another new venue for the Cleveland TOPS Swingband is Broadview Multi-Care in Parma. The residents enjoyed a concert on Wednesday, Oct. 15th from 3-4 p.m. The great Cleveland drummer and teacher Harry Damas lived here in his declining years.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband returned to the Center Ridge Nursing Home in North Ridgeville for a concert on Wednesday, Oct. 8th from 2-3 p.m. I thought this is where retired DJ Dave Hawthorne was living but I didn't see him this trip.

Friday, September 26th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a luncheon concert for the Lakeland Women's Club at Deluca's Place in the Park in Lorain from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and the band was a smash hit. This being a new audience for us we hope to extend our performance reach into Lorain County in the future. How strange: two gigs in three days with different bands at the same venue.

Deluca's Place in the Park in Lorain was again the site of Doc McDonald's Big Band benefit dance on Wednesday, September 24th from 7-11 p.m. As usual, the band sounded great and it was good to see Jay & Bev Ross at the event. Jay played lead alto sax in my Baldwin Wallace College (now University) Alumni Jazz Orchestra for 25 years.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband performed for the residents of Musician Towers in Cleveland Hts. from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17th.

Wednesday, September 10th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland from 3-4 p.m. As I was entering the facility the receptionist said "Here comes my favorite band." Nice to hear from someone other than a resident.

Parker House Senior Living, a new facility in Mentor, invited the Cleveland TOPS Swingband to play a concert for residents and friends on Aug. 26th from 2-3 p.m. They even took out an ad in the local paper. The audience filled the room and was very enthusiastic and very sophisticated...they applauded for soloists, unusual when we play these venues. It was nice to see Donna Rinaldi (Ray's widow) and her daughter, Diane Williams at the program. Hugs all 'round. We played an arrangement of April in Paris (written for Ray by retired Music Director, Dick Wooley) as a tribute to Ray who passed away March 26th. Ray Rinaldi was an original member of the TOPS band trumpet section and a dear friend.

August 24 - the BW Alumni Brass Collective provided ALL the music for morning worship at Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station...Prelude, Offertory Anthem, Prayer Response three hymns, Doxology, Gloria Patri, and Postlude. The Postlude was the Canadian Brass version of "Amazing Grace" and was a huge hit with the congregation. The end of August has become our annual appearance at CUMC.

Shaker Gardens Senior Living facility is the former Somerset Inn at the intersection of Route 8, Warrensville Center Rd. and Chagrin Blvd. in Shaker Hts. The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played for the residents on Wednesday, August 13th from 2-3 p.m. Several band members played there when it was a thriving motor inn and lounge.

The 25th Summer Season of the Strongsville Community Band came to a close with an August 8th concert on the Commons. It featured Rossini's Overture to Italian in Algiers, and Tchaiskovsky's 1812 Overture complete with fireworks. 400 programs were printed and AGAIN they ran out. Another FINE audience. Ken said that from September 2013 to August 2014 the band performed 70 different SELECTIONS. Hard to believe.

Cedar Center Senior Apartments residents in University Hts. enjoyed an afernoon performance by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Wednesday, August 6th.

Sunday, August 3rd - the BW Alumni Brass Collective provided all the music for the 10:30 a.m. service at Lakewood's Episcopal Church of the Ascenscion. David Betts again wrote some wonderful hymn arrangements.

Strongsville Senior Center was the site of the annual big band concert given by the Strongsville City Jazz organization on Friday, August 1st. This year's concert was outstanding...the best ever some said. The first selection was a rousing version of Cole Porter's Love For Sale. Dr. Rosario Cambria introduced each song and gave a bit of history of each. Great audience, too.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband performed at Woodside Village in Bedford on Thursday, July 31st for an after-dinner concert. This is always a very lively audience.

Friday, July 25th - the Strongsville Community Band presented director Ken Mehalko with his very own "Ken Mehalko Bobblehead" in recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the band. The concert was good also.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played an outdoor concert for residents of Jennings Center for Older Adults in Garfield Hts. on Thursday, July 24th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 22nd found the TOPS Band at Warrensville Senior Apartments from 3:30-4:30 p.m. A small but appreciative crowd enjoyed the performance.

Strongsville Community Band's 25th season continued with a 7:30 concert at the Historical Society on Friday, July 18th. Jack Brndiar was featured on two selections and played in the trumpet section the whole concert to "help out."

McGregor Home in Cleveland had the TOPS band perform inside from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 17th as a cold snap was predicted. The band sounds better indoors anyway.

Tuesday, July 8th the TOPS band returned to Fairfax Place in Cleveland for a 2:00 concert. I feel better but the conjestion is lingering.

I caught a cold and it went into my sinuses (been a while since that happened) so I skipped the July 3rd Strongsville Community Band Concert and sent Anthony Anastasi to my July 4th RTA gig in the Cleveland Flats. Being no better on Sunday, I was VERY fortunate to get Jack Brndiar to sub for me with the BW Alumni Brass Collective at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Olmsted Falls.

The Hudson Bandstand concert Sunday, June 29th was rained on so it was moved to Hudson High School. This is becoming an annual event on the schedule.

The 25th season of the Strongsville Community Band continued on Friday, June 27th with a 7:30 concert on the Commons. Well attended as usual.

The Strongsville Community Band gave a spirited performance for the middle school music clinic students at BW University the evening of June 25th. I always enjoy playing under Loras John Schissel who guest conducted and played tuba when Ken was conducting.

Famico's Notre Dame Senior Apts. in Cleveland hosted the TOPS band for a concert on Wednesday, June 25th from 1-2 p.m. This is the old Notre Dame girls high school on Ansel Rd. Famicos have done a nice job converting the building into apartments. The old gym is actually a nice venue for the band.

Saturday, June 14th - I got to play with some of the top jazz musicians in Cleveland for a benefit for the Dobama Theater in Cleveland Hts. The big band was led by David Kay and the trumpet section included Dennis Reynolds, and Scott McKee who are both fine lead players. It was held at Rockefeller's in Cleveland Hts. from 7:30-11:45 p.m. I haven't played a gig that long for several years but it was a REALLY good band and a lot of fun.

The 25th Season of the Strongsville Community Band began Friday, June 13th with a well-attended concert on the lawn in front of the Gazebo at the corner of Pearl and Royalton Roads. Guest directors included Clarence Barber and Dr. Howard Meeker who is retiring from the music department of Cleveland State University and is a Strongsville resident. Clarence, a member of the band's percussion section (and a former student my first year teaching (1966) at Canal Fulton) conducted his new composition, Jade Fable, written to commemorate the band's 25th year.

Marymount Senior Living in Garfield Hts. was our second gig in a row this week. The residents enjoyed our performance on Thursday, June 12th from 2:30-3:30. Thankfully it was only one hour.

Thursday, June 12th Just three weeks after the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played three days in a row, we played two in a row. Wednesday, June 11th found us at Wells Fargo Financial Services in the new Ernst & Young office tower in downtown Cleveland on the east bank of the Flats. The party was intended to be ON THE ROOF (20th floor) of the building but due to windy conditions we were in the lobby. Thanks to Eric Nilson of Wells Fargo (heard us last fall at Trinity Cathedral's Brown Bag Concert) for inviting us to play for his clients. We played from 7:15-9:15 and when we were done, Eric took us up to the roof to see where we might have played. The view (above) was spectacular.

Dr. William Foley has been the Music Director at the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls for FIFTY YEARS. Bill was a senior my freshman year at Baldwin Wallace. Being fellow trumpet players we had a lot in common. I was honored to play at his retirement concert on Sunday, June 8th. Joining me were Ken Mehalko on sax & clarinet, Bruce Lehtinen on trombone, Doug Day on piano, Don T. Day on bass, and Scott Mehalko (Ken's son and former student of mine) on drums. We played several selections by ourselves before the concert and then accompanied Bill's choir on several numbers. We were joined by Ken Foley (Bill's oldest in from Kansas City) on trumpet. It was a great concert and a fitting tribute to Bill's career at Federated Church.

Strongsville Rotary Club held a fundraiser on Saturday, June 7th at the MetroPark Chalet. The Strongsville Community Band played from 11:30 to 12:30 on a beautiful weather day. Director Ken Mehalko had to leave early so several of us got to conduct the band. Wow, it has been a while since I did THAT. Popped some Tylenol when I got home.

I have played background music for the Strongsville Seniors Art Show for several years. Friday, June 6th my band, JW & Co. played from 6-8 p.m. at the Ehrnfelt Senior Center. Bob Gref on sax & clarinet, Doug Day on piano, his nephew Don T. Day on bass, and Bob McKee on drums rounded out the group. We had a fun time as always.

The third concert of our mid-week marathon was for the North Olmsted Seniors Luncheon from 12:15 to 1:15 on Thursday, May 22nd. This is another of our yearly visits.

Wednesday, May 21st found the TOPS Band at McGregor Home in Cleveland for a 7:00 p.m. concert. This is where the late Vince Patti lived. He was responsible for bringing many of these musicians to McGregor for the very first time which eventually resulted in the formation of the TOPS orgainzation by Dick Wooley and Joe Trczinski. We have played here every year since then, sometimes twice.

Fairfax Place in Cleveland enjoyed a concert by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Tuesday, May 20th. This is the first of THREE IN A ROW...back to back to back for the band.

The Strongsville Community Band gave their annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 18th at the Senior Event Center. The large audience enjoyed the selections.

The City of Cleveland holds a Senior Day Celebration every May. The Cleveland TOPS Swingband has provided Classic Big Band Music to kick off the day-long event for the last several years. The event is held at Public Auditorium in downtown Cleveland. This year the band played from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14th.

Monday, May 5th: Cinco de Mayo---

Falling Water Health Care in Strongsville hosted the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Wednesday, April 30th for a 2:30 concert. I LOVE gigs that are only three miles from home.

A new $15,000,000 senior living facility in Mentor had its Grand Opening on Thursday, April 24th. Ron Davis and Friends (me, too) provided some live entertainment. Emeritus at Newell Creek is a beautiful facility. (Photo at left).

Tuesday, April 22nd found the Cleveland TOPS Swingband at Stratford Commons in Solon, renamed Kindred Assited Living at Stratford Commons. No wonder we had trouble finding it.

Monday, April 21st, the new TOPS video made its debut on YouTube. Filmed and edited by Don Pavlish and his crew for Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Foundation, it's creating quite a stir.

On Easter Sunday I attend my first-ever (at CUMC) Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. followed by a nice breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Then at the 10:30 service our in-house brass quartet of Doug Painting, trumpet, Ann Painting, horn, and David Painting, trombone, and I accompanied the choir & congregation on the opening hymn "Up From The Grave He Arose." That's actually the first line of the refrain not the title but everybody knows it by that designation.

Columbia United Methodist Church presented its 13th edition of Joseph M. Martin's Tenebrae Cantata "Song of the Shadows" on Good Friday. Quite a nice turnout (175) for our small country church. The 18 piece chamber orchestra was a real treat. Marcia conducted and I ran sound.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband went to Independence Village of Aurora for a concert on Wednesday, April 16th. This is a lovewly facility and the residents enjoyed our performance.

April 11, 2014 - I finally have some time to update this site. My taxes are done, "Glitz" is over and the sun is out. It is truly a great day.

The senior variety show "Puttin' On The Glitz" has become a tradition in Strongsville. This year's edition (the 13th) was themed Thanks for the Memories. Terry Brlas of the Strongsville Post newspaper wrote a nice article and even shot some video. Check it out here. The show was presented in the Strongsville High School Auditorium on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 28th, 29th, and 30th.

Beachwood High School hosts a senior citizen event that includes lunch and a program. On Thursday, March 13th at 1:00 the Cleveland TOPS Swimgband played to a very enthusiastic audience and everyone went home happy.

Thursday, March 6th found the Cleveland TOPS Swingband at Hamlet Hills Village in Chagrin Falls for a 3:30 concert. We thank them for their support of our mission: Classic Big Band Music for Seniors by Seniors.

Messiah Lutheran Church in Fairview Park invited the BW Alumni Brass Collective to play for their Brown Bag Tuesdays concert on March 4th at noon. Since the date happened to be "Fat Tuesday," the day before Lent, we made sure to include a healthy dose of Dixieland Music. We have been asked to perform again next year.

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 - Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland hosted the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. We play two dates a year for the residents.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert at Rocky River United Methodist Church on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 for their "Gifts of Music" Concert Series. The weather was terrible...snow and cold, but the turnout was better than expected. Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Foundation (one of TOPS supporters) sent a professional video crew out to film the band for a feature they are doing beginning in April. I thought it would be a guy with a camera but it was a FIVE CAMERA shoot. Can't wait to see it, should be ready around April 21st.

Friday, January 24, 2014 - Ruth Griebel fell at home and broke her hip. Surgery is Sunday, looks like she will miss a few TOPS gigs.

Sunday, Jan. 19th was the Bethel Lutheran Church (Middleburg Hts) Brass Choir Concert to raise funds for their Early Childhood Education program. These special needs kids get scholarships and financial assistance for a very worthwhile program. Between the free-will offering and the matching funds the total raised was close to $6,000.00. Amazing! Sadly, this is the 15th and FINAL concert after raising tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Thank you Marty and Jayne Cool for the opportunity to participate with these fine players.

My first gig of 2014 was Friday, Jan. 17th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Woodside Village Senior Living in Bedford Hts. with the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. Everyone had a good time.