Dick Wooley
Music Director

Jim Wonnacott
Assistant Music Director

Joe Trzcinski
Personnel Director

Larry Patch
Chief Financial Officer

George Ellis
Music Librarian

Ron Davis
Marketing Director

Don Day
Music Business Advisor

Doug Day
Education Advisor

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.

Larry Patch ----- Ruth Griebel ------- Ron Davis

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. 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 recently resumed playing trombone after a twenty-five year health-induced "intermission." Joe Trzcinski, Lead trumpet and personnel director, has 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.

Top of page

Contacts:
Dick Wooley: 440-871-0480 E-mail Dick
Ron Davis: 216-244-0646 E-mail Ron
Joe Trzcinski: 216-932-3228

visitors since Sept. 25, 2005

© 2005 Cleveland TOPS Swingband Foundation
Site design by Jim Wonnacott
Contact Webmaster