Strongsville Community Band

Strongsville City Jazz Swing Band

Rehearsals
No activities until further notice.

Concerts
None until further notice.

The Strongsville City Jazz Swing Band is one of the most versatile big bands in the Cleveland area, playing everything from jazz classics to swing music from the big band era. The fine musicians who make up the band bring a variety of musical experience to their performances that include entertaining at Playhouse Square, The Front Row Theater, Kenley Players, and The Coliseum. Some members of the band have performed with some well-known ensembles, including The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Warren Covington, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, and Jimmy Dorsey big bands, and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. The band performs during the summer as part of the Strongsville Community Band Summer Concerts and in other area communities. During the winter the band has been featured at a number of Cleveland area high school jazz festivals. 

Vocalist Kim Wasielewski complements the band with her refreshing vocal renditions of many pop favorites. Kim, a dance instructor and yoga teacher, has been singing with the band for a number of years.

The Strongsville City Jazz is co-directed by Ken Mehalko and James Wonnacott. Ken founded the band in 1992. He is retired from the Strongsville City Schools where he successfully directed the high school band for 29 years. Presently he directs the Strongsville Community Band, and is the former Director of Athletic Bands at Baldwin Wallace College.

James Wonnacott is also a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace. He retired from the Strongsville City Schools in 1996 where he had success teaching at Center Junior High School. He has performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and has toured with singer Al Martino. On June 27, 2011 Jim performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra at Lake Chautauqua, New York. From July 13-15, 2016 he performed with THE PLATTERS playing five shows over the three days. He is the founder and former Musical Director of the Baldwin-Wallace College (now University) Alumni Jazz Orchestra. Awards include the 2009 B-W Conservatory Alumni Achievement Award, the B-W Alumni Association Merit Award, and the Euclid High School Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame. Currently he is the Music Director of the Cleveland TOPS Swingband.