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 is written in "blog" style. There are pages for 2011 thru 2020. Each year ends at the TOP, so start at the bottom (or where you left off) and work your way up. Click Appearances at the top to see where I will be playing.

********************************************************
2021 -

Saturday, Oct. 30 - another sell-out crowd for the second performance of "A Tribute to Broadway." What a night!

Friday, Oct. 29 - My Little Big Band played for the Strongsville Community Theatre Musical Review "A Tribute to Broadway." The show was a sell-out and everyone had a great time.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert tor the residents of Cardinal Village Retirement Center in Cuyahoga Falls on Monday, Sept. 27 from 1:30-2:30. We played in the living room area instead of the dining hall. Much better.

Thursday, Sept. 23rd found the Cleveland TOPS Swingband at the Brecksville Community Center for a concert 6:30-8:00 p.m. We enjoy playing here, nice folks and a beautiful facility.

My Little Big Band played a 30 minute program from 12:30-1:00 p.m. to open the Arts in Strongsville Foundation event "A Day at the Chalet." The Metropark Chalet was the venue and we had a beautiful weather day.

Saturday, Sept. 11 - the Strongsville Community Band was part of the Strongsville VFW remembrance ceremony. We were lucky the weather was good.

The Cleveland TOPS Swingband played a concert from 7-8 p.m. for the residents of the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve in Westlake on Thursday, Sept. 2nd. We've been here previously, but this time we were under a tent in the back parking lot. The weather cooperated and all had a good time. They even brought in an ICE CREAM TRUCK.

Sunday, Aug. 8 - the Cleveland TOPS Swingband was in Hudson for our annual concert. The weather was so hot and humid they moved us inside Hudson High School (air-conditioned). The band sounded great.

Strongsville Community Band played their final summer concert on Friday, Aug. 6 from 7:30-8:30 in front of the new Middle School.

Sunday, July 18 the Cleveland TOPS Swingband traveled to Harpersfield, Ohio to play a two-set concert for St. Vitus church picnic. The venue was Slovenska Pristiva near Geneva, the time was 2-4 in the afternoon. this was our third visit.

The Strongsville City Jazz Swingband plaed their annual concert on Friday, July 9 at the Ehrnfelt Eevent Center from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Again, a good crowd enjoyed the show...the band has quite a following.

Sunday, July 4 - the Strongsville Community Band played at the Hudson Bandstand for the community's summer concert series.

The Strongsville Community Band continued their summer concert series with a performance of patriotic music on the sidewalk of the new middle school. The band honored first responders: fire, police, and nurses.

Thursday, June 24 was the first performance of the Cleveland TOPS Swingband since the governor shut down the state (Covid-19) on March 12, 2020. EIGHTEEN MONTHS... and it's still not over. A senior resident at a facility in Chardon was celebrating her 100th birthday and wanted to hear live big band music. We played outside on the patio under a tent to shade us from the sun. Hot that day.

The Strongsville City Jazz Swingband played a concert in Hudson on Sunday, June 20th from 7-9 p.m. It was originally scheduled for the Hudson Bandstand but moved to the high school due to the threat of thunderstorms.

Saturday, June 12 was Kris Hudson's wedding in Orrville, Ohio. Kris plays french horn in the Strongsville Community Band and had written brass quartet arrangements for a friend's wedding when they were in the Marine Band in Washington D.C. He asked fellow SCB horn player Ann Painting to help form a group to play at his wedding. Ann (horn), her husband Doug (trumpet), and I worked with a tuba player Kris had taught while employed at Open Door Christian School in Elyria. It has been a long time since I played at a wedding.

Monday, June 7 was the first rehearsal of the Strongsville Community Band in eighteen months. Hard to believe...no live music since March 12, 2020.

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

Jim