About Us -

Don Disantis (Vocalist)
Don holds a both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Baldwin Wallace College and formerly taught in the Strongsville Schools. With a background in both theater and music, Don has combined the two to present musical variety shows to enthusiastic audiences across northern Ohio. Formerly male vocalist for the Harry Hershey Orchestra, Don now has his own group of talented musicians, and continues to please audiences with his Sinatra, "Rat Pack" baritone style. On the theatrical side, Don has played, among others, such roles as Alfie Doolittle in "My Fair Lady", Don Quixote in "Man of La Mancha", and his favorite, King Arthur in "Camelot". With a blend of those great standard songs of Sinatra, Dean Martin and others, along with Broadway show stoppers and a little bit of Rock 'n Roll, the demand for Don Disantis continues to grow. His audience-friendly style and polished stage presence insures an entertaining evening for all.

The Band-

Doug Day (Piano/ Musical Director)
Doug retired from teaching in June, 2004 from the Bay Village City School District where he taught instrumental music for 27 years. In addition to conducting the Bay High School Orchestra, other teaching duties have included directing the Bay High Marching Band, Jazz Ensembles and Concert Bands. Throughout his career he also taught the 5th and 6th Grade Bands at Bay Middle School. For 21 years he conducted the 30 piece pit orchestra each spring for Bay High's annual Broadway musical. In addition to playing piano for the Don Disantis Orchestra, he has played piano for the annual BW Alumni Jazz Ensemble each February, and currently pianist with the Cleveland TOPS Swingband. Doug also accompanies Rejoice!, a mixed, contemporary vocal octet from Bay Methodist Church. A trombone major at Ohio University, he has played trombone for hundreds of performances of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ice Shows and Rodeos at the Richfield Coliseum, played in the back up band/orchestra for numerous touring performers in downtown Cleveland, and for 10 years, played in the sidelines band each Sunday for the Cleveland Browns home games. He played bass with the Hal Lynn Agency from 1975 to 1994 and was the bass player for the Harry Hershey Orchestra for seven years. Doug resides in Avon Lake with his wife, Jackie. Their daughter, Amy, is a professional artist living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; son, Brian, is a senior Math & Science major at Ohio University, where he also plays golf for the Bobcats.

George Judy (Drums)
As a drummer and percussionist, George Judy has performed with Paul Anka, Jack Jones, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Lewis, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Aretha Franklin, Perry Como, Mel Torme, and Milton Berle. He has performed in over 50 Broadway shows at the Playhouse Square, Hanna Theatre and Blossom Music Center. He has also performed, recorded, and toured with the Cleveland Orchestra under conductors Christoph von Dohnanyi, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kurt Masur, Jahja Ling, Roger Norrington, Riccardo Chailly and Yoel Levi. George was a member of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony under the direction of Edward London from 1982-1999. Other orchestras include the Lyric Opera of Cleveland, Mansfield Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Erie Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and Great Lakes Theatre Festival.

In 1981, George went on a national tour of the United States and Canada as drummer and percussionist with the Broadway show Oklahoma! While on tour, he recorded the music from Oklahoma! for the BBC in a film entitled ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE. He is also the drummer for the Cleveland Pops Orchestra under the direction of Carl Topilow and continues to perform in the Cleveland area with various groups. He can be heard on recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Percussion Ensemble and the Kingdom Brass Quintet.

Dave Day (bass)
In addition to playing with the Don Disantis Orchestra, he plays numerous engagements in northeastern Ohio with the Hal Lynn Agency. A huge Cleveland Browns fan, Dave played in the sidelines big band each Sunday at Municipal Stadium for the team's home games for ten years. In addition to the electric bass, Dave plays piano and trombone. A Communications major at Ohio University, Dave was a member of the 110 Marching Men of Ohio. In addition to his regular musical engagements, Dave is the Director of Development for The University of Akron’s College of Engineering and College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.  In his position, he is responsible for securing funding to support the continued growth of both colleges.  Dave is married, has three sons and lives in Akron with his family.

Jim Wonnacott (Trumpet/Flugelhorn/flute/synthesizer)
Jim is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College and did post-graduate work at the University of Kentucky (Lexington), where he was a guest soloist with the Kentucky Wildcats Marching Band and a member of the Faculty Brass Quintet. He also studied at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh), and the University of Hartford (Connecticut). Jim is a retired music teacher (Strongsville Schools) and maintains a very active performing career. As a free-lance studio musician he has recorded with Maureen McGovern, The James Gang, the O'Jays, and the Harry Hershey Orchestra; and played on more than 150 radio and TV commercials. He has been 1st Trumpet for the Kenley Players Orchestra, the Hanna and Palace Theaters, and has performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. He considers himself very fortunate to have played trumpet for Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Billy Crystal, Liza Minelli, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Jones, Buddy Greco, and Sammy Davis, Jr. when they performed in Northeastern Ohio. In October 2006, Jim toured Ohio and Pennsylvania with singer Al Martino and currently is the assistant musical director and trumpet soloist with the Cleveland TOPS (Tough Old ProS) Swingband. Jim founded the Baldwin Wallace College Alumni Jazz Orchestra in 1984 and is their musical director.

Note: saxophone, guitar, female singer, even a horn section (up to twelve piece big band) is available to fill any specific need or satisfy any venue requirement.

[Read what people are saying]
[Home] [Where We're Playing] [Our CDs]
[Order Our CDs] [Song Samples] [Contact Us]