Cleveland artist Jason Toth—known for his hyper-color photography and capturing stunning angles on Lake Erie, on Cleveland streets, and in landmarks (and providing the weekly FreshWater mastheads)—has been chasing another vision for several years now.

Toth says that since he was in high school, he has imagined producing small musical events for a close group of people. "’One day…,’ I thought to myself,” he says. “The idea would come back to me throughout college, and still it would be met with, ‘One day….’ So often, and for so many, ‘one day’ becomes never.”
Ariel Karas plays violin in Jason Toth's studio listening room at 78th Street Studios.Most recently, Toth had been considering hosting a show in his creative studio in 78^th Street Studios—something modeled after the likes of the NPR Tiny Desk Concerts or Beta Radio’s 2013 cross-country “Sitting Room Tours,” where people hosted the band in their living rooms.

Toth attended a “Sitting Room Tour” performance, featuring two band members playing an intimate set that echoed throughout his friend’s Tremont home. Toth says his dream was immediately re-ignited.

“Everyone in the room that evening was a part of something special,” he recalls. “I think I decided that night, if I ever had the opportunity to create and share an experience like that for others, nothing was going to stop me from making it happen.”

Toth’s dream will become reality on Friday, March 6, when he partners with Opus 216 founder and violinist Ariel Clayton Karas to produce their first “Smallest Concert in Cleveland” in Toth’s creative studio space.

The concert will feature Karas and Opus 216 members Trevor Kazarian on cello, Victor Beyens on violin, Patrick Duke on percussion, and Alex Carroll on bass.

Limited to only 12 VIP guests, with an additional 20 general admission guests admitted to the after-party reception in Toth’s studio, Toth promises it will be a special experience.

The immersive listening space is treated with acoustic panels made from Toth’s vibrant and surreally colorful works featuring iconic Cleveland landmarks. The studio backdrop is a 12.5-foot- by-seven-foot, three-dimensional acoustic mural of the Heinen’s stained glass dome.

Toth says the concert is possible in the space because of a special collaboration with Bedford Heights-based acoustic sound absorption and soundproofing products company Audimute.

“Without them, it would not be possible,” says Toth.

“Being in the room for something as intimate as a recording session is unique,” Karas explains. “Listeners will have the chance to see the creative process up-close and then celebrate with the artists following the performance.”

Karas is equally excited about the opportunity. “We are thrilled at the chance to explore a recording project of fully improvised, original music for the first time as an ensemble," she says.

Composing the dream
Life kept moving forward while Toth kept his dream of hosting intimate concerts on the back burner.

Jason TothThen, when the COVID-19 lockdowns were keeping people home in 2020, Toth recalls seeing front-yard concerts popping up around the city and his dream was reignited.

“I was driving home down West 67^th Street and saw my neighbors in lawn chairs on the sidewalk and in the street—captivated by a string trio performing on the front lawn,” he recalls. “Minutes later, I, too, was captivated and emotionally moved by the musical talent and storytelling of the woman who was clearly the leader of the ensemble.”

The experience was Toth’s first introduction to Opus 216 and Karas, and he recalls thinking to himself, "I'm going to do something with her someday."

Little did he know it would be just six years later.

“I didn't know when, and I didn't know how,” says Toth of his first encounter with Karas. “Over the next few years, I randomly found myself at Opus 216 performances all over the city. The talent of the ensemble left me speechless and moved me to tears on more than one occasion.

“Each time, Ariel would share her vision and Opus 216’s mission—live music performances belong everywhere and fostering musical talent—and it resonated with me.”

It wasn’t until just after Toth had opened his first retail shop in 2024 at the former City Goods in Ohio City and was using Lekko Coffee as his office that the reunion he predicted would actually happen.

“I was there almost every day,” he recalls of his makeshift office. “One day, I walk in and all the tables are full. In the corner by the window are two chairs, one is open, the other sits a familiar-looking woman.

“’Is that what’s-her-name from Opus 216?’ I thought to myself,” he recalls. “I sat down next to her, saw her violin case, and found myself quite excited. ’Excuse me,’ I said, ’are you the violin player for Opus 216?’ She replied, ‘Yes, I am.’”

That first Lekko Coffee meeting was their first official introduction, and the pair instantly clicked.

“After gushing over how much she inspired me, I told her that day, ‘I don't know when, but at some point in the near future, I'm going to do an event with you,’” Toth recalls.

He says he knew he would know when the right time was right.

“After I opened my studio and built out my immersive listening room at 78th Street Studios, I knew how it was going to come together,” he recalls. “So I reached out to Ariel and invited her to my studio to pitch her my idea.

“Before I could even get to the question, Ariel answered, ‘Yes!’"

‘One day’ arrival
Karas predicts the inaugural “Smallest Concert in Cleveland” will be a unique, spontaneous experience centered around improvisation.

“Since a lot of what we're going to be doing is improvising, and by its very nature, improvising is a spontaneous experience, that's what's kind of fun about the creativity of this project,” she says, adding that, rather than holding traditional rehearsals, “the ensemble will meet the night before [the concert] to get some ground rules for what we want to create. And then we will just sort of let it be.”

Ariel Karas and Jason Toth.The intimate venue will host the 12 VIP members with the $90 tickets, but Karas notes, "there are still some seats available.” Each attendee will receive a recording of the unique Opus 216 performance, with Karas confirming that "we will send every audience member a complete edited link.”

The concert will be held in Toth’s creative studio, #104A in 78^th Street Studios. VIP guests will enjoy an intimate performance of a mix of strings and percussion. Each Opus 216 performer will take creative control of a track, and the entire recording will feature all original, improvisatory material.

The concert will be recorded, mixed, and mastered by well-known Cleveland engineer and producer, Jim Stewart. Guests will also receive a limited print, signed concert poster at the end of the event.

Up to 30 general admission tickets will be available as well, where attendees can gather in Toth’s larger, 1,000-square-foot studio space and view the performance through a sound proof window or 85-inch television while the music is live streamed through Toth’s sound system. 

The suggested donation is $20 for GA tickets, the after-party in the studios space, and the concert poster signed by the musicians.

Opus 216 will perform an encore performance at the 8 p.m. after-party reception

Karas emphasizes the spontaneous nature of the event. "We're basically going to create a second improvised set,” she explains. “But maybe we'll riff off of some of the ideas we just did. We are thrilled at the chance to explore a recording project of fully improvised/original music for the first time as an ensemble.” 

The reception will have snacks, dessert, and drinks and will run until about 9 p.m.

A new frontier
While acknowledging the experimental nature of the project, Karas admits that "it's a little scary, honestly, but we're excited,” describing the group as Jason's "first guinea pig" for the Smallest Concert format.

Toth and Karas say “The Smallest Concert in Cleveland” is a collaborative passion project, and ticket sales help cover expenses and ensure the musicians are paid. “We are largely self-funding it because we believe Cleveland deserves experiences like this,” says Toth.

Tickets help pay for Stewart's post-production and recording costs; the two non-core Opus 216 musicians; videography and post-production by Art of Cleveland; photography by Russ Lang Photography; and studio prep, clean up, and reset support.

Looking ahead
Toth and Karas say their bigger vision is to feature different Cleveland musicians and groups each quarter throughout the year in Toth’s colorful listening space.

“How cool would it be to have a library of Cleveland musicians performing in this intimate setting available for everyone to enjoy,” asks Toth. “There are endless reasons for me to do this. I think it goes without saying: I am passionate about music. It has inspired so much artwork; it is medicine for my soul.

“You don’t just hear the difference—you can feel it,” he says of his studio experience. “I've heard people say, ‘It feels like the room is giving you a hug.’

“I have this beautiful creative space, and I want to share it with other creatives and give them an opportunity to explore their ideas,” Toth continues. “Why not open it up to the public? Why not record it on video and share it with the musicians and online?