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. There are pages for 2011 thru 2019. Each year ends at the TOP, so start at the bottom (or where you left off) and work your way up. Click on the Appearances link at the top to see where I will be playing.

********************************************************
2019 -

Saturday, Dec. 28th was my last gig of the year. Again it was held at   the Union Club of 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 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. An"All-Occasion Band" takes over and plays for dancing from 9-midnight. I enjoy being home by 9:00 on a Saturday night.

The Strongsville Community Band Christmas concert was Sunday, Dec. 15th at the Senior Center from
3-4:30 p.m.

Strongsville United Church of Christ hosted the Strongsville City Jazz Big Band for a fundraiser concert on Friday, Dec. 13th from 7-9 p.m. Money raised goes to the church music ministry fund. Thanks to Tom Foley for sitting in on trumpet at the last minute when Reinhold Toerek was sent out of town on business.

My Little Big Band played a Christmas Show for seniors at the Strongsville Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd from 1-2 p.m. We even did a sing-a-long. Selections included: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, O Holy Night, Sleigh Ride, Frosty, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, the Christmas Song, Rudolph, and White Christmas. 

Friday, Nov. 15th the Strongville Community Band played a split concert at Baldwin Wallace University from
7-8:30 p.m.

Don Kubec has put together an octet to perform the music of Dave Pell. When Don was in L.A. he met Dave and was able to get some of the original arrangements. We had an open rehearsal at the Bop Stop in Cleveland on Sunday, Nov. 10th from 2-5 p.m. The group is Don on baritone sax;  Dale Hildebrand, trombone; John Orsini, tenor sax; Bob Fraser, guitar; Don Day, bass; Doug Day, piano; Ricky Exton, drums; and me. Challenging music but fun to play with fine players. The original Dave Pell Octet started as the Les Brown All-Stars in the 1950s.

The Tom Fries Orchestra (20 piece) provided some of the music for an Italian  wedding reception at Public Hall in Cleveland on Saturday, Nov. 2nd. it was a 16 piece big band with a string quartet. The wedding planner turned the venue into a "Tuscan Village" with lighted live trees . I'll post a photo if I can find it. 

Hilltop Village in Euclid had the TOPS band in for a concert on Friday, Oct. 25th from 1:30-2:30. The earlier time made it easier to avoid rush hour traffic going home.

Sunday, Oct. 20th the Strongsville City Jazz Big Band played a benefit concert at Bethel Lutheran Church in MiddleburgHts. from 3-4:30 p.m. The money raised goes towards scholarships for special needs children to attend the church's Early Childhood Education program (pre-school).

Tapestry Senior Living in Wickliffe was the recipient of a concert by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Tuesday, Oct. 1st from 2-3 p.m. That made going home in rush hour traffic a bit slow but the folks loved the band.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband was selected by the Arts in Strongsville Foundation to open the Day at the Chalet arts festival on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Later my Little Big Band played from 3:15-4:00.

Sunday, August 25th the BW Alumni Brass Collective (quintet) provided all the music for morning worship at Columbia United Methodist Church.

The Husdon Bandstand concert series continued with the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Sunday, August 11th from  6-8 p.m.

The Strongsville Community Band played their final concert of the summer season on Friday, August 9th. Thanks to Renee and John McDermott for hosting the "wrap" party after the concert.

Sunday, August 4th I had TWO gigs (unusual). The BW Alumni Brass Collective (quintet) provided all the music for morning worship at Christ United Church in Olmsted Falls; and then from 6-8 p.m. the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played their annual concert at the Hudson Bandstand. Whew, hope THAT doesn't happen again.

The second to last summer concert of the Strongsville Community Band was Friday, August 2nd.

The Strongsville City Jazz Big Band played a concert at the Hudson Bandstandon Sunday, July 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. This is another venue that is becoming an annual event.

Friday, July 26 the Strongsville City Jazz Big Band played their annual concert as part of the summer concert series held at the Ehrnfelt Senior Center from 7:30-8:30. Great crowd.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for Menorah Park Nursing Home in Beachwood on Tuesday, July 23rd from 1:30-2:30.

Thursday, July 18th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Jennings Home for Older Adults in Garfield Hts. from 6-7 p.m.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband traveled to Geneva, Ohio to entertain the annual St. Vitus Church (Cleveland) summer picnic at Slovenska Pristava on Sunday, July 14. We played two sets with a polka band in between. Don Kubec came out to hear the band, he's back from L.A. and looking to play again locally.

Cain Park in Ceveland Hts. has a summer concert series. Lenny Russo put a quartet together of Lenny on drums, Frank Samson on keys/bass, Denny Samson on tenor sax, and me. Two sets, outdoor covered stage, pro sound, fresh air. Perfect for a Saturday afternoon (July 13).

Friday, July 12 was another summer concert by the Strongsville Community Band.

The Welsh Home in Rocky River hosted a concert by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Tuesday, July 9th from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Helene McKee brought Nora Wooley to hear the band. Good to see them both. I got a last minute call from Anthony Triffiletti. He is musical director for "The Producers" in Lorain and needed a trumpet player to play tonight's rehearsal. Thank goodnes he sent me the book so I did get a quick look at it. Fun stuff.  

The Strongsville Community Band continued their summer concert series with a one hour program on Friday, July 5th from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 29th the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played another hospice concert at Independence Village of Avon Lake. 

The Strongsville Community Band  continued their summer concert series with a one hour program on Friday, June 28 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Harvard Community Center in Cleveland has a summer rec program for youth. The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for them and a small group of seniors on Thursday, June 27th. from 11-noon.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert at for the residents of  Fairfax Place Senior Living in Cleveland. This is one of our regular venues.

Friday, June 21st was interesting. Baldwin Wallace University hosted a SOUSAPALOZA from 7-8 p.m. on the lawn behind Ritter Library. Volunteer musicians from around the northern Ohio area came together to play the music of John Philip Sousa for one hour. No rehearsal, just come and play. It was fun.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a two hour concert at Berea-Midpark High School as a fundraiser for District 21 Ohio Kiawanis Clubs on thursday, June 20th.

The Senior Art Show at the Ehrnfelt Event Center in Strongsville hosted  my jazz quintet for two hours of background music while attendees enjoyed snacks and a beverage,   

Cardinal Village Nursing Home in Glenwillow was the site of the Cleveland TOPS Swingband concert from 2-3 p.m. Always like playing here.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband again played for the City of Cleveland Senior Day celebration at Public Hall on Tuesday, May 21st. We opened the morning at 10 a.m., were done by 11:00 and home by noon.  Great!

Sunday, May 19th was the Strongsville Community Band Spring Concert. It was VERY well attended. They ran out of programs again.

A.M. McGregor Home in Cleveland Hts. hosted a concert for residents by the Cleveland TOPS Swingband on Thursday, May 9th. from 7-8 p.m. The band has been appearing there since our early beginnings in 2005.

The Strongsville City Jazz Big Band performed a short program at the annual Strongsville Jazz Fest that was held at Strongsville Middle School on Sunday, May 5th. The high school group I heard was excellent.

Friday, May 3rd I played a Celebration of Life event in memory of Fred Lombardo at J Bella in Strongsville. Assisting me were Doug Day, piano and Larry Hunsicker on bass. My Little Big Band had played at Fred's 80th birthday party in 2017 and he wanted "big band" music for this party. I made sure we played his favorite songs.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a hospice concert at Independence Village of Avon Lake on Thursday, May 2nd. from 2-3 p.m.

Sunday, April 28th, my Little Big Band made its third appearance at Brothers Lounge in Cleveland from 8-10:30 p.m. We had a turnout of 35 people and we showcased our new Aretha Franklin Tribute with Cindy Smith singing You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman and R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Ken Mehalko was on vacation so I got old friend Don Kubec to fill in. Don is back in town after 25 years in Los Angeles, CA. Great to have him back. Thanks to all who showed up to support live music.

Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia Station presented the 17th performance of Joseph Martin's "Song of the Shadows" on Good Friday, April 19th. Jim Heinrich was brought in to do sound so I was able to sing in the bass section. This Tenebrae Cantata explores how shadows affected Jesus during his last week on earth. There was an expanded choir of 45 as Strongsville UCC joined us this year, a 20-piece chamber orchestra, two narrators, and four soloists. Marcia conducted and I helped Jim with the sound check. It was a memorable nightand we had a full church of 220 to hear the production.

Tuesday, March 16th, the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Mount St. Joseph in Euclid from 2-3 p.m. They have really upgraded the facilities since I lived in Euclid in the 50s. My school bus went right down Chardon Rd. hill and I always wondered about the buildings back there.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Royal Oak Rehab facility in Middleburg Hts. on Friday, April 5th from 2-3 p.m. This is our first time at this venue. Nice to be on the west side.

Thursday, March 7th, the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert for the residents of Stratford Commons in Cuyahoga Falls from 3-4 p.m.

The Ehrnfelt Senior Center in Strongsville hosted a Fat Tuesday concert on Tuesday, March 5th. Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent begins and Mardi Gras takes over New Orleans. The concert featured my Dixieland Band put together for the occasion. Ken Mehalko, clarinet; Bruce Lehtinen, trombone; Doug Day, piano; Don Day, bass; Art Mason, banjo; and George Kiteley, drums rounded out the band. It was well attended and all had a great time.

February is looking up. Five rehearsals and two performances: the Cleveland TOPS Swingband played for residents of Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland on Thursday, Feb. 21st from 2:30-3:30 and the Strongsville Community Band played their Winter Concert on Sunday, Feb. 24th at 3:00 p.m.

The New Year has begun with NO playing dates in January and now that the Cleveland TOPS Swingband rehearses alternate Wednesdays there hasn't been much opportunity to perform. But, it's January in Northeast Ohio so, ok, there's that.

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

Jim