69-year-old Eddie Tobin has travelled the world with British pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck, known for his romantic ballads and smooth vocal style.
A professional pianist with over 30 years of experience in the music industry. Eddie is known for his diverse repertoire that includes jazz, blues, standards, ragtime, classical, and pop music. Now retired from playing to audiences globally, Eddie settled in Sarasota with his wife and couldn’t keep his fingers off a keyboard, so he started playing gigs at area restaurants and private events. You can hear him sing and play the keyboard at Sarasota’s Amore Italian & Portuguese Restaurant in Sarasota on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. He wows the senior crowds each Saturday at Sarasota’s Plymouth Harbor. And his private bookings keep him busy well throughout the year.
Eddie says he “never wanted to be a musician,” but the Universe had other plans for him. He began playing piano at the age of 11 and over the years developed a musical style that combines elements from various genres. He is particularly appreciated for his renditions of songs by artists like Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and many other famous musicians.
In high school as a baseball player, he was nicknamed “The Musician Jock” because he used to play the accordion on the bus for long drives to competitions. In the lunchroom at his high school, he’d entertain his classmates playing the baritone ukulele, while they munched on cafeteria food.
Fast forward in life and he was approached by a friend who said Engelbert was looking for a music director, conductor, pianist and arranger. Eddie was hired to work with the star in 1997 – 2004.
Originally from Fort Pierce Florida (Nashville prior to that) he came to Sarasota in 2002 and targeted the Gulf Coast to retire and play at leisure.
He still texts with his boss, Engelbert, who at 88 still performs worldwide.
If you are interested in booking Eddie for a private event, visit him at eddietobinmd@gmail.com, www.EddieTobin.com, or call: 941-737-1577
~ Andrea Martone
