DAN TOBIAS, Trumpet
Dan Tobias was born in Trenton, NJ and attended Hamilton Township schools.  He began performing in the Trenton area with the Lamplighters big band at the age of 15.  Dan attended Trenton State College and graduated in 1985.  While a student at the college, he studied trumpet with Donald Benedetti and George Rabbai.  After graduation, he began a one-year stint on Carnival Cruise Tropicale, where he played in the show band.

Since 1987, Dan has been a member of the Tony DeNicola Band.  This association has lead
to work with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Davern, Warren and Allen Vache, Harry Allen, Howard Alden, John Bunch, Marty Napoleon, Greg Cohen, Derek Smith and many other great musicians.  In addition to his appearances in concerts and festivals with the Midiri Brothers, Dan can also be heard performing with the Blue Skies jazz quartet, as well as with Derf Nolde’s Keystone Jazz Band, Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings.  In New York City he is often heard with Stan Rubin’s Band at the Red Blazer and with Vince Giordano's Nighthawks at the Cajun. 

In addition to being a jazz performer, Dan teaches elementary band and orchestra in Hamilton Township, NJ.

PAT MERCURI, Guitar
Pat Mercuri is one of the Philadelphia area’s most active free-lance musicians.  The son of
the late guitarist and teacher Lou Mercuri, Pat engages in a wide range of performance activities, playing jazz, pop and classical music.  In addition, he frequently plays guitar, mandolin and banjo for the Philadelphia Orchestra, for the region’s opera companies, and for theater and show orchestras in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York.
Pat is a graduate of both the Philadelphia Musical Academy (now part of the University of
the Arts) and Temple University.  He teaches music for the Hamilton Township, New Jersey school system. In addition to his performances with the Midiri Brothers in concerts, private events and in appearances at hotels and casinos at the New Jersey shore, he is frequently called on
to play with Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings and with the Blue Skies jazz quartet as well.  In 2001,
He appeared twice on network TV, accompanying English singer Russell Watson both on his
PBS special and on ABC’s Good Morning America.

ED WISE, Bass
Ed Wise has been playing string bass professionally since he was 17. He has toured with the Concord Records Jazz All-Stars (Harry “Sweets” Edison, Monty Alexander, Scott Hamilton and Bud Shank), Al Hirt and the Smothers Brothers. In 1990, he performed at the inauguration of President George Herbert Walker Bush in Washington D.C. In 2005, New Orleans Magazine designated Ed one of the Crescent City's Jazz All-Stars. He currently lives in and works around Philadelphia, both with the Midiri Brothers and with his own group, Ed Wise and his New Orleans Jazz Band. He is also musical director of “PennJazz” (the University of Pennsylvania's jazz band) and serves on the board of directors of the Tri-State Jazz Society.

JIM LAWLOR, Drums
Jim began playing at 20 after moving from Philadelphia to Atlantic city.  His first drum teacher was Chris Columbo (drummer with Louis Jordan's Tympany Five) and has been a familiar sight on most casino stages since 1979.  He has been mainly with the Midiri Brothers small groups and big band since 1989.

JOE HOLT, Piano
Joe Holt makes his career as a pianist and jazz musician, with a unique and diverse musical background. He received his music degree from Glassboro State College in New Jersey (in the early 1980's). Most notable among his teachers are Yoheved Kaplinsky: classical piano, and Don Glanden: jazz piano. In recent years, Joe continued his education to receive a Board Certification in Music Therapy (MT-BC). He is active as a music therapist, working to enrich the lives of senior citizens in his local area.

In addition to this, Joe performs hundreds of engagements each year, both in concert (at home and throughout the United States), and in numerous venues (both public and private) in the greater Philadelphia-Washington DC corridor. In addition to solo events, Joe is often found performing with "Holly Lane and Shore Jazz" in his local (Delmarva) area, and (throughout the country and around the world) as regular pianist for the Midiri Brothers Sextet and Trio; performing at concerts, jazz festivals and cruises. A comprehensive listing of public performances can be found at joeholtsnotes.com.

Known for his expressive, and often animated performances, Joe's unique approach to solo jazz piano reaches out to the listener. He is grounded in the traditional influences (e.g.. Nat King Cole, Erroll Garner, Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson), and has built upon this foundation a diverse and relevant presentation. When performing, Joe experiences the spiritual connections that music makes. His audiences, though it may be stated in other terms, get this as well; "...expressive playing" ... "A a joy to behold " ... " boundless and infectious " ... " Joe touches lives wherever he goes."

Joe is active in recording, appearing on over 20 albums, 6 of which are on his own label; Joe Holt's Notes , including: Playing By Heart - Always - a solo piano collection of jazz and popular standards, and - He's Steppin' Out - a unique collection of humorous Bible lessons performed by the Joe Holt Trio, and Do You Hear What I Hear, the first in a series of Christmas recordings.

Joe can also be heard weekly over the airwaves, and on-line, on his weekly show, "Joe Holt's Notes on the Radio."  Join Joe as he plays the piano for you, at joeholtsnotes.com. Joe resides with his family in Chestertown, Md.