Jim
Wonnacott
Music Director
Larry Patch Paciorek
Managing Director & CFO
216-524-BAND
Ron Davis
Marketing Director
216-244-0646
Board of Directors
Ron Davis
Doug Day
George
Ellis
Jim Wonnacott
To
make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
donation, please
make your check
payable to:
CLEVELAND TOPS
SWINGBAND FOUNDATION
mail
to:
PO Box 31666
Cleveland, OH 44131
Our
first studio CD
"Feelin' Young Again"
is still available. Click the CD cover above to hear some samples.
Our second CD,
"Accentuate The Positive"
is still available.
Click on the
CD cover above to
hear some samples. |
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Jim Wonnacott
Music Director
TOPS
BAND PERSONNEL
SAXOPHONES
Ken Mehalko
Don Kubec
Larry Patch
Rudy Vincent
Dick Ingersoll
TRUMPETS
Jim Wonnacott
Frank Cosenza
Mike Galloway
Anthony Anastasi
TROMBONES
Bruce Lehtinen
Ralph Joseph
George Ellis
Gary Twining
RHYTHM
Doug Day, piano
Don Day, bass
George Kiteley, drums
VOCALISTS
Ron Davis
Larry Patch
SUPER SUBS
Jim Bair, sax
David Betts, trombone
Jack Brndiar, trumpet
Don T. Day, bass
Brian Dorr, bass
Mike Fisher, trumpet
Brian Griebel, trombone
Larry Herman, trumpet
Bruce Koscheck, sax
Tim Keehn, trombone
Eric Rowles, trombone
Dave Sterner, sax
Our third CD,
"Time After Time " is now available. Click on the CD cover above for samples.
Our fourth CD,
"Another Just For You"
is now available.
Click on the CD cover above
for samples. |
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The
CLEVELAND Tough Old ProS
SWINGBAND
has it's
roots in a concert at the A. M. McGregor Home in 2003, one of many such
events created and directed by a retired-but then-still-active Cleveland
musical legend, Vince Patti. Vince brought together a seventeen-piece
big band of mostly retired professional musicians, Cleveland area all-stars
really, with varied solid credentials, from dance bands to theater pit
orchestras and the Cleveland Orchestra. It was a huge success both for
the elderly audience and their helpers but also for the musicians who,
almost to a man, ended the concert almost unwillingly...they talked about
how there should be more chances to get together and be a part of the
great experience such a band of "pros" provides. And so now,
after some time, ruminating, wishing, thought, procrastination and effort,
comes our new band. Our focus is on three ideas:
1. We intend
to serve that huge audience of people who remember and love the great
fun and excitement that only a fine big band, playing the great, familiar
repertoire, can provide.
2. Just
rehearsing and playing together is a source of musical joy that can
only be found in a big band where all the players can really SWING in
the wonderful traditional sense!
3. We need
to generate enough income to cover expenses.
The principal
originators: Dick
Wooley, Trombone, Arranger and Music Director Emeritus. Dick came to Cleveland
in the 1950's as a music teacher in the Shaker Heights schools and band
director at the then Case Tech. A player, arranger and conductor, he became
a composer/producer of music for broadcast commercials (think "Patio
Enclosures"), TV and films. He spent several years creating music
for Sea World's shows and exhibits. He was a long-term fixture in Cleveland
theater orchestra pits and resumed playing trombone after a twenty-five
year health-induced "intermission." He stepped down as Music Director and CEO on July 10, 2012. Dick passed away on March 16, 2015.
Joe
Trzcinski, Lead trumpet and personnel director, had an impressive
list of accomplishments as a working musician and trumpet teacher. His
earliest professional experience was with the band at West Point, continued
in Cleveland at Musicarnival, Front Row (lead trumpet and musician contractor),
various area bands and tours with the Liberace Orchestra. Joe passed away on May 23, 2021.
Top
of page
Contacts:
Jim Wonnacott: E-mail
Jim
Ron Davis: 216-244-0646 E-mail
Ron
Larry Patch:
216-524-BAND E-mail
Larry
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2021
Cleveland TOPS Swingband Foundation
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