It’s music to their ears

Tott Moens at the piano

Marilynn Vanderstaay

Pianist performers Mark Pinkus and Tott Moens are two entertainers transporting their audiences back in time.

Tott Moens is my mother. I grew up listening and dancing to her music when she played for my sister and me or led singalongs at her parties. Now an octogenarian, she fell into her third or fourth career after a friend of mine asked me six years ago to find someone to tickle the ivories for his aunt’s 90th birth­day party at Place Kensington.

In spite of protests – she hadn’t played in over 10 years – she played a repertoire that ran from the Gay Nineties through the Roaring Twenties into Tin Pan Alley and the Big Bands and even the Beatles. A new career was born.

Knowing the music her generation loves to hear and sing along to, she tailors her setlist for each group and event. “I know my audience doesn’t want to just sing along to My Darling Clementine. They want to reminisce with music they were courted to and socialized with at parties and dances. It brings back feel-good memories.”

Mark Pinkus (photo: CECHEL)

I met Mark Pinkus when he was launching his fifth album of original piano compositions. Part of the independent artists’ scene in Montreal, Pinkus went full time with his music after a 12 year career as a preschool teacher. Pinkus delights his audiences at senior residences, including a regular program with Jewish Elder Care.

“The music I play brings my audiences back in time and hopefully gives them new delightful moments of life.”

Pinkus’ performances are spontaneous and he often adds theatre and comedy as the mood allows. “The most important thing for me is to put a spark in their eyes and a great smile on their faces.”

Reach Tott at tott@vintagemusicbytott.com or Mark at pianoforte@look.ca.