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 thru 2016. 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 2016.

2016---

My final gig of 2016 was Wednesday, Dec. 28th 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. Mel Cescsila was on drums with Bob recovering from surgery.

Satrurday, December 24th - Columbia United Methodist Church again had brass for the 11 p.m. Candlelight service. Doug Painting joined me on trumpet and Ann Painting on french horn. We played carols as a prelude.

Thursday, December 22nd - The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a Christmas luncheon for the seniors at the North Olmsted Senior Center from 12:15-1:15. Highlights included: A Big Band Christmas medley, White Christmas, Christmastime is Here (from the Charlie Brown Christmas TV Special), The Christmas Song, and My Favorite Things.

Tuesday, Dec. 20th - the BW Alumni Brass played a Brown Bag concert at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Medina from noon to 1:00 p.m. Thank you to David Gooding for the invitation.

Sunday, Dec. 18th - the BW Alumni Brass played a service of Lessons and Carols for Lakewood's Episcopal Church of the Ascension from 4-6 p.m. There was communion plus a live nativity so the service ran longer. I decided to skip the dinner.

The Strongsville City Jazz big band played a concert of Christmas Music on Friday, Dec. 16th. The venue was Strongsville United Church of Christ at 7:30 p.m. The ten dollar ticket went to benefit the church music program. A Jazzy Christmas...what a concept!

Friday, December 16th was a busy day. The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a holiday luncheon for Willoughby seniors from 1-2 p.m. The Patrician Party Center in Eastlake was packed...sold out, in fact. They loved the show. Then at 7:30 The Strongsville City Jazz big band played a concert of Christmas Music at Strongsville United Church of Christ. The ten dollar ticket charge went to benefit the church music program. A Jazzy Christmas...what a concept!

The Strongsville Community Band Holiday Concert was Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Ehrnfelt Center at 3:00 p.m.

November 11, 12,and 13 - The fifteenth annual "Puttin On The Glitz" senior variety show was staged at the new Strongsville Middle School. We were the first to use the new auditorium with our 30 voice senior chorus and seven-piece back-up band. The theme was Music! Music! Music! Music of Celebration, music of love, and music of color. Highlights included: Amour, Amour, Endless Love; Blues in the Night, Blue Skies, and Celebration (Kool and the Gang).

Wednesday, Nov. 2nd - Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland was the site of a noon Brown Bag concert by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. This was our second concert there this year. It was nice to have Ruth Griebel back with us.

Music director Anthony Trifiletti asked me to join the orchestra for Jekyll and Hyde, the musical at French Creek (formerly True North) Theater in Sheffield. The show ran three weekends (Oct. 14-30): Friday, Saturday at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00. This is the venue where the orchestra is in a small theater DOWN THE HALL away from the cast and audience. Each instrument is miked and sent to the main theater (200 seats). Our conductor has a video screen so he can coordinate the singers (in the other room) with the orchestra. I did Jesus Christ, Superstar there last year. Check out the picture from the 2015 blog.

Sat. Aug 27 - The TOPS band played a dance date in Mayfield Village for "Dancing Under The Stars." We got all set up, played about six tunes and the rains came. They have promised us two dates there at the gazebo in 2017.

The Strongsville City Jazz big band was scheduled to play a concert at the Hudson Bandstand on Sunday, August 14th from 6-8 p.m. but the weather forced us inside the auditorium of Hudson Middle School. A small but appreciative crowd enjoyed the concert. Ken Mehalko's son, Scott, played drums for this one. I like the way he plays, even when I had him in class at Center Junior High in Strongsville.

Tues. Aug. 9th - the TOPS band played a concert for the nice folks in Beachwood from 6-8:30 p.m. It was intended to be outside by the pool but the weather looked threatening so inside we went. They have a very nice community center there. It always sounds better inside anyway. It was great seeing former band member Alan Kofsky in attendance.

The Strongsville Community Band summer concert series concluded on Friday, Aug. 5th. It was so well attended, they ran out of programs AGAIN.

Friday, July 29th - The Strongsville City Jazz big band played their annual concert inside at the Ehrnfelt Rec. Center from 7:30-9 p.m. This might have been the best the band has played. It really "cooked."

Thursday, July 28th - the Cleveland TOPS Swingband was scheduled to play at the Brecksville Gazebo but storm clouds approaching moved us to the community center for our 6-8 p.m. program. As we were driving up the driveway of the facility I got word that singer Ruth Griebel fell and broke BOTH WRISTS. Ron & Larry covered nicely but we were without Ruth for almost three months.

Friday, July 22nd - The Strongsville Community Band summer concerts continued to bring out record crowds.

Sonny Turner and The Platters came to Ohio for a five show tour from July 13-15th. We started on Wednesday, July 13th in Columbus at Villa Milano Party Center for a 9:00 a.m. rehearsal, lunch, and 1:30 show. The next day we were at Carrie Cerino's in North Royalton for two shows (1:30 and 8:00). Friday we did two shows at the Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. I did trumpet and flugelhorn, Dale Hildebrand played trombone, and Dave Casper played sax and clarinet. The rhythm section was Dan Bailey, keyboards (2, piano and synth); Art Mason, bass, and Mel Cescila on drums. The conductor that travels with them played guitar. Those tunes just don't sound right without guitar. The Platters were very nice and we all had a great time.

Saturday, July 9th - Tom Fries put together a 20-piece orchestra (big band with strings) for a wedding at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. What a night! An Italian all-occasion band from New York, extra female vocalist, trumpet fanfares, string quartet cocktail music in the garden, a HUGE tent, white dinner jackets (rented by the host) for the band, and more.

Friday, July 8th - The Strongsville Community Band summer concerts continued to bring out record crowds.

Tuesday, July 4th found me at Settler's Landing the the Clevaland Flats playing Sousa marches with John Petrone's Little Sousa Band from 7:15 until dark when the fireworks program began.

Friday, July 1st - The Strongsville Community Band summer concerts continued with the annual Patriotic Concert.

Friday, June 21st- The Strongsville Community Band summer concerts continued.

Sunday, June 19- The Strongsville Community Band played a concert at the Hudson Bandstand. This is becoming an annual event.

Friday, June 10th- The Strongsville Community Band summer concert series began.

Wednesday, June 8th found the Cleveland TOPS Swingband at the A.M. McGregor Home for Senior Living in East Cleveland for a 7-8 p.m. concert.

The City of Cleveland Senior Day was held on Friday, May 27th. This all-day event features a box lunch, health screenings, job fairs, and goodie bags for Cleveland seniors. Plus the mayor, city council and a few other wags with a few choice words. The TOPS band opens this event with a one hour program from 10-11 a.m.

The Strongsville Community Band performed their annual spring concert at the Ehrnfelt Rec/Senior Center on Sunday, May 15th from 3-4-30 p.m. Almost a full house.

Wed. May 11 -The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert at Cardinal Village Health Care in Cuyahoga Falls from 1-2 p.m. They always appreciate us coming in for a show.

Friday, April 29 - the Strongsville City Jazz big band kicked off a benefit concert for special needs children at the Ehrnfelt Center by playing a one-hour set from 6-7 p.m.

Wed. April 20 - the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert at Willow Park Nursing Home on Harvard Ave. in cleveland from 2-3 p.m.

Wed. April 6 - the nuns and residents of Mount St. Joseph in Euclid enjoyed a Cleveland TOPS Swingband concert from 2-3 p.m. This venue is about 10 blocks from where I grew up. We drove by the old house and it's still there, seems small now.

Tues. April 5 - the BW Alumni Brass Collective (quintet) played a Brown Bag luncheon concert at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fairview Park. Thanks to David Gooding for the invitation.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert at Fairfax Place in Clevland on Thursday, May 31st from 2-3 p.m. We were on the second floor, windows on three sides. We had a great view of the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Good Friday was March 25th this year---the Columbia United Methiodist Church choir, and 21-piece chamber orchestra presented Joseph M. Martin's "Song of the Shadows" as a Tenebrae Cantata this time back at our church instead of Strongsville United Methodist Church as we did last year. Again at 8 p.m. Joining us were members of Berea United Methodist Church choir and other community singers for a very moving and meaningful performance. My wife, Marcia, produced and directed the event once again to great success.

Wednesday, March 2 - the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played the first of two Brown Bag Concerts (spring & fall) at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland from Noon-1:00 p.m. This is a well-attended event and the band sounds great in that s

Sunday, Feb. 28 - - the Strongsville Community Band presented their annual Winter Concert in the Ehrnfelt Event Center from 3-4:30 p.m. 400 programs were printed and they RAN OUT.

Thursday, Feb. 25 - the Strongsville City Jazz big band helped kick off Strongsville's Bi-centennial celebration with a noon-1:00 set at the Ehrnfelt Event Center. The place was SOLD OUT.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played their first concert of 2016 at North Olmsted Senior Center from 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11th.

My first gig of 2016 was a Dixieland Jazz FUNERAL at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. A former pastor who loved dixieland jazz requested exactly that at his funeral. The date was Friday, Feb. 5th and the musicians joining me were Ken Mehalko, clarinet; Bruce Lehtinen, trombone, and Doug Day, piano.

Check back soon for more updates. Thanks for visiting my site.

Jim