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
George Ellis
Larry Patch Paciorek
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 on the CD cover above
to listen to song samples.

Our second studio CD
"Accentuate The Positive "
is now available. Click on the CD cover above to listen to song samples.

Home | Performances | Calendar | TOPS News | Contact Us |
Endorsements | Musician Profiles | Recordings | Booking Info

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

A few kind comments about our band and its goals:

July 2019 - The Ohio Kiwanis Division 24 wanted a change from the fundraising project we had in the past. In the summer of 2017, I attend a concert in Brecksville where the Cleveland TOPS Band performed. They advertise, “Music For Seniors By Seniors”. I loved their Swingband, classic Big Band music. I thought having them perform for our Division 24 members as our fundraising project in June, 2018 would be an IDEAL choice. It went over so well we booked them again this past June. Again, we had great attendance and I heard nothing but rave reviews from our Kiwanis members. I heartily endorse TOPS to anyone that wants to enjoy a night of great music performed by a group of talented veteran musicians!!

Jeff Haas, Treasurer, Ohio Kiwanis Division 4 - June 2019

McGregor Home - Dec. 20, 2018

Melodic Sounds of Cleveland's TOPS Swing Band!

********

Cleveland Hot List - April 26, 2017 - Mark D.

These guys have been around. You will be watching some of the best Cleveland has to offer. Tough Old ProS.

********

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Foundation - Feb. 15, 2013

Age isn’t taboo for the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. In fact, it’s embraced. TOPS is an acronym for “Tough Old Professionals,” which describes the 19-member band of talented musicians dedicated to performing "classic big band music, for seniors, by seniors."

********

Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland - Nov. 28, 2012

Dear Jim,
Thanks to you and your splendid musicians for a really superb and completely enjoyable program today. I am still smiling at the wonderful spirit and fabulous playing and singing. Please extend our thanks to everyone!!

BRAVO to all! --- Todd Wilson, the Canon for Music and Worship at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland.

********

Mount Vernon (Ohio) News - May 18, 2009

by Mark S. Jordan, Staff Writer
Knowing nothing about the Cleveland TOPS Swingband when I walked out onto the Memorial Theater's balcony Sunday afternoon, I wasn't prepared to have my socks blown off. But on the band's first full blast, I think my socks may have landed somewhere down on the main floor. I sat up in my seat and realized that this group was something special.
Read more...page one. Page two.

Note: These are Jpeg files that were scanned from the original newsprint. We suggest that you download each page to your desktop (right-click on PCs, option-click on Macs). Use a graphics application to display the page but you will probably need to "zoom in" to enlarge the print making it easier to read. E-mail me if you have trouble. Webmaster.

********

Medina Gazette - Nov. 15, 2005

MUSIC FOR SENIORS
They are billed as The Cleveland Tough Old Pros Swingband and they play classic big band music for seniors by seniors. The vocalists Ron Davis and Larry Patch bring back memories of an early Billy Eckstine and Frank Sinatra. This group of talented artists performed to a full house, 125 residents and 75 people from the general public, at a complimentary concert hosted by the Western Reserve Masonic Community November 3. Reservations were filled a full week in advance in anticipation of their visit and on the afternoon of the concert they were so well received they played for an hour and a half, longer than planned, at the request of the appreciative crowd. Following the concert, TOPS offered CDs for voluntary donations which were purchased very quickly. ....TOPS is reaching out to activities directors at senior centers and senior resident facilities as well as anyone who knows of a group that would enjoy listening to the music of the Big Band Era.

Visit their web site, www.topsswingband, for more information.

********

"This is an unusual collection of Cleveland's dedicated professional musicians. I know and have played with many of them and there are none finer. "---Hal Lynn, a long-time, eminently successful Cleveland bandleader and impresario as owner of the Hal Lynn Agency.

********

"Thanks for sending me the info about the new CLEVELAND Tough Old Pro SWINGBAND. I think it's a fantastic idea! These talented veteran musicians fill a void in the listening pleasures/desires of our senior community. When I stuck my nose in at your recent rehearsal, it was like walking into a living "Hall of Fame" of the area''s great musicians - musicians with illustrious histories and performance credits with some of our country's greatest big bands. I wish you and the group much success and I offer any help I can to make things work." ---Don Santa-Emma, recently retired president, the Cleveland Federation of Musicians.

********

This is in response to the band performing for Vince Patti's memorial service, McGregor Home, July 11, 2005.

Dear All:
This note is just to thank you all once again for the great send off you gave our Dad on Monday. What a wonderful tribute to him and thanks ever so much to the Tops Swingband for your great performance! I am sure Dad was smiling down on all of us that day! With great respect and admiration, --- Doug Pattie and the Vince Patti Family

********

Dear Dick:
The band concert at Lakewood Park last evening was just great, and I so enjoyed hearing the music I grew up with. I know TOPS will get more gigs because so many of us long for that long ago music. ---Barb G.

********

Dick:
July 10 with Cleveland Tops was a delightful experience for the Bercaw's. Next time I'll know to invite a bunch of others to meet us at the park so they can hear you, too. ---Best, Ruth Bercaw

********

Dick,
Thanks for the heads-up on your Lakewood concert. I got to see and hear your grand band. What a fun night!. I took a few stills photos that I'll send to you one of these days. The music and the sound were just terrific and folks really enjoyed it. ---Neil McCormick, President, Cinecraft Productions

********

Dear Dick,
I enjoyed your concert last night at Lakewood Park. It brought back memories of the ballroom at Cedar Point when Jack and I were dating. Your vocalist was outstanding! Thanks so much and I hope to hear you and the band again.
---Sally Reed

********

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