Toby Tobas - Steel Drum

Toby Tobas: Steel Drum player, Caribbean Steel Drummer, Steel Drum Band
Steel Drumming from the Southern Archipelago. A Caribbean presence in New England and beyond for over 10 years.

Thank you for your interest in the music of Steel Drummer Toby Tobas. As one of Massachusetts Premiere Source for authentic Steel Drum players. His specialty is making sure the music at your event is exactly what you've envisioned. His versatility, engaging performance, and rhythmic style reflects his love of music and his strong support of, and connection to, his audiences, throughout New England, and encompass Boston, Cape Cod, Providence RI, New Hampshire, New Port Rhode Island and Vermont.

Experience, professionalism, reliability - these are the hallmarks of Percussionist Toby Tobas. Playing his specially handcrafted double alto steel pans, with sequenced accompaniment. He is able to create and simulate the sound of a full six-piece band. Through the years his private and corporate clients have repeatedly expressed their absolute satisfaction with his performances. Evidence of this is stated in client's testimonials. (Please see memos at end of this web page).

Toby's wealth of experience enables him to set the mood for your very special event in bringing to you the soothing sound of this novel Caribbean musical instrument. Featured in his musical styles are flavors of Jamaican Reggae, Afro Cuban & South American favorites, Trinidad & Tobago Calypso, Martiniquan Zouk, Haitian Comps, and some pop variety as well. This enables him to create and communicate the imagery of his native Caribbean.

AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND FOR: Music Work Shops, Corporate Functions, Fund Raisers, Weddings, Special Needs Children, Coffee Shops, Children's Hospitals, Conventions, Country Clubs, Anniversaries, Banquets, Graduations, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Studio Session, TV Soundtracks.

Here are a few comments from some of our very satisfied corporate & private clients:

Client: National Association of Child Care
Date: 4/26/07
Event: Organazational Function
Service: Steel Drummer
Entertainer: Toby Tobas
Please rate the following categories from 1 to 5, with 5 being "Excellent" and 1 being "Poor".
Appearance: 4
General Ability Level: 4
Expectation Level (did the performer live up to your expectations): 4
Promptness: 4
Comments: Toby did a great job. Everyone enjoyed his contribution to the event.
Thanks! Ginger

Dear Toby:
On behalf of the Officers, Directors and membership of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA), please accept my thanks and praise for a lovely performance at the Cohasset Light Keeper's. As always you were a most talented musician as well as a polished and pleasant professional. We sincerely appreciate the fine work you do. We look forward to your becoming the official steel pan soloist  for our Association affairs in the future.
Cordially,
Leona Roach
Executive Director
Massachusetts Marine
Trades Association

Toby provided entertainment for our new showroom Open House. He was a smashing success with the 175 guests in attendance at the event. They were very pleased with his musical selections and enjoyed the variety he offered. Toby was a pleasure to work with - he is the consummate professional and I would highly recommend him for any venue!
Gerard M. Donnelly
Regional Manager - Kimball Office
30 Federal Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02110

Not only is Toby Tobas extremely talented he is a pleasure to work with! He is professional, polite and can make you think you are in the Caribbean within moments!
Jodi Donahue
Corporate Events Manager
GreenPages, Inc.
Kittery, ME

"Toby was incredible. He is truly a world-classed talent that will no doubt blow away your expectations. In addition to being an unbeatable steel drummer, his knowledge and charisma will be a welcome addition to any event or showcase."
Andrew Lindsy
"Harvard JD/MBA Student".
The Caribbean Business Club.
Cambridge MA

Toby, I can't seem to find the right words to tell you how much your Steel Drum work shop meant to the kids and me. I was amazed by your talent and your ability to make those kids laugh. They loved the selection of songs you performed, but they really enjoyed getting up to play the instruments themselves. In a single hour, you significantly affected each of those students lives, and that should make you proud. You are a true musician who plays from the heart, and that is not always easy to find. We wish you the very best with all your future gigs. If you ever need a glowing reference, you've got one here at The League School! Keep up the wonderful drumming!
Musically,
Kathy Legere
League School
Of Greater Boston
Walpole, MA 02032

Dear Toby- Thank you so much for your performance at our appreciation BBQ for the staff at Cape Cod Hospital yesterday. You were a tremendous hit. The thank you's are pouring in from staff all over the hospital and everyone mentions the music. The day was absolutely perfect and would not have been the same without you. I hope to have you back at future events. Best wishes....
Van Northcross
Regional Marketing Director
Cape Cod Healthcare
5 Industrial Drive - Suite 202
Mashpee, MA 02649
8-26-04

"Toby provided festive, tasteful and much appreciated music for our office's summer outing at a beach house. The reaction was uniformly enthusiastic. My husband was so impressed he said, if one were to have a wedding at a place like this, one should have his music to set the tone. We were all very well pleased and would have him repeat in a minute."
Lucy B. McKay
Executive Assistant
Pepe & Hazard LLP
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110

Thanks Toby. . .we are so happy we added your wonderful steel drum music to our special event. It was a perfect evening. Our members were delighted!
Diana Shearstone.
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
Taunton MA

Thank you Toby! Everyone enjoyed your performances greatly and you are a pleasure to work with!
Judith Akerman
District Marketing Manager
Cayman Island Dept of Tourism
PO Box 114
Boston, MA 02117

"Toby played the steel drums at our company's Caribbean-themed summer outing. His professionalism and love for music shined through in his performance. A talented musician indeed!"
Holly E. Charron
Human Resources Representative
Heritage Property Investment Trust, Inc.
131 Dartmouth Street, 6th Floor


We planned our entire Island Fun Day around the music of Michael "Toby" Tobas, Toby's music really added to the theme. People danced, they sang, even the kids had a great time. Toby really adds just the right touch to any event. We thank you Toby for making the GBCA Island Day so special.
Betty Selemme: President of Greater Boston Concierge Association.
Sea Port Asset Management
World Trade Center
East Building
#2 Sea Port Lane
Fifth Floor
Boston MA. 02210

The rhythm of Toby's steel drum music provided our event with lively entertainment that could be danced to as well as enjoyed as background music. His music entertained the children present as much as it did our employees! We look forward to our next employee gathering as an excuse to socialize to Toby's Caribbean flavored musical entertainment. His music was as entertaining to watch as it was to listen to.
Thanks again. It was great!
Dianne DePippo, LICSW
Executive Director
New Hope, Inc.
140 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
508-226-4015

Hi Toby,
We were thrilled with your performance at our wedding's cocktail hour. Our guests are still commenting on the nice touch it added to our special day. It was pleasure dealing with you. I'll be recommending you to everyone I know who is planning an event. Thank you so much!
Warm regards,
Jessica & Benjamin Weiner

  Song List

 

 

 

Waiting In Vain-- Bob Marley

Margarittaville-- Jimmy Buffet

Volcano-- Jimmy Buffet

Martilda -- Trinidad Calypso

Guantanamera-- H. Angulo /J. Marti

One Love-- Bob Marley

Fire And Rain-- James Taylor

Three Little Birds-- Bob Marley

Besame Mucho-- C. Velazquez--Slow Latin

Could You Be Loved-- Bob Marley

Blueberry Hill-- Al Lewis ,L Stock, V Rose

Linsted Market-- Jamaican Folk

Stir it up-- Bob Marley

Late In The Evening -- Paul Simon

Endless Love-- Lionel Richie/D Ross

Time to Say Goodbye-- Boccelli / Brightman

I Can See Clearly Now-- Jimmy Cliff

Day-O ( Irving Burgie) Belafonte

La Bam Ba

Mary Ann-- Traditional Calypso

Island in the Sun-- Harry Bellefonte

 Call Me Al - Paul Simon

Wonderful World -- Louis Armstrong

Oye Como Va-- Tito Puente

Wave-- Carlos Jobim

Kokomo-- The Beach Boys

Some Where Over The Rainbow--Eh Harburg /H. Arlen

Old lady Walk Ah Mile And Ah Half-- Tdad Folk Calypso

Afro Blue-- Mongo Santamaria

Sly Mongoose-- Traditional Calypso

Lean On Me -- Bill Winters

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life-- Stevie Wonder

One Note Samba-- Antonio Carlos Jobim

Blue Swade Shoes-- Charlie Parker

Brown Girl In A Ring-- Caribbean Calypso Folk

Have I told you lately-- Van  Morrison

Brown Eyed Girl-- Van Morrison

Under the Boardwalk

You Send Me-- Sam Cooke

Island In The Sun-- Caribbean Folk

Blue Bossa-- Kenny Dorham

Take Five -- Dave Brubeck

 

 

St Thomas-- Sonny Rollins

Bass Man-- Tdad Calypso (Shadow)

Time To Say Good Bye-- La Wally

Jamaica Farewell-- Harry Bellefonte

Brazil

No Woman No Cry-- Bob Marley

Obla De Obla Da

Cant Help Falling In Love With You

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy-- Josef Zawinul

The Girl From Ipanema-- Carlos Jobim

Mambo Inn-- M Bauza/G Sampson/B Woodlen

Perdido-- Juan Tizol- Latin

Moonlite In Vermont-- J. Blackburn & K. Suessdorf

Kaiso Rouso-- Toby Tobas

Little Monkey - Tdad Kaiso Folk

Hotel California - Eagles

Tequila

Tea For Two-- I Caesar & V Young-Latin

Autumn Leaves-- Johnny Mercer- Bossa Feel

Summer Time-- George Gershwin

Guitar Pan-- Calypso - Kitch 

Desafinado-- Carlos Jobim

Dianna-- Paul Anka

Sweet Caroline-- Neil Diamond 

Girl from Ipanema Jobim

Yellow Bird-- Traditional 

Maskerade-- George Benson 

Red Red Wine- UB40

Danny Boy-- Irish Folk

Georgia On My Mind-- Hoagy Carmichael

Spanish Eyes

Breezin'-- George Benson

Boo Boo Da,-Calypso - Melody 

Toco Band,--Calypso Kitch 

Imagine-- John Lennon

Under the Sea-- The Little Mermaid

The Entertainer-- Scott Joplin

I Will-- The Beatles

Let it Be -- The Beatles

Imagine-- John Lennon

Desperado-- The Eagles

Water Melon Man-- Herbie Hancock