PERFORMERS

Michael Margarite has been a performing pianist/keyboardist/vocalist in the Philadelphia area for the past 25 years, leading and working with various bands as well as playing solo. His career started in the early 80's traveling with "Danny and the Juniors." After 8 months on the road he returned home to help raise a family and form his own group "Calliope." In the next few years he would be a member in the groups "Sal Masi Jr. and Sunlight," "Stage Three" with Len and Jean Barrett, and "Certified Gold." Working in these groups Mike would appear at many of the area nightclubs and casinos: Tropicana Casino, Ceasars Casino, Cinelli's of Cherry Hill, Coral Reef, Fishers Tudor House, to name a few.

In the late 80's Michael decided to become a solo performer. He has played at many of the finer nightclubs and restaurants in Philadelphia and Mongomery County: The William Penn Inn, Fingers, Blue Bell Inn, and the Copper Penny.

He was the house musician for five years at the San Marco on City Line, worked with the Dueling Pianos at Little Ditties in Market Street Live, also with the Dueling Pianos at several night clubs on Delaware Ave., was the house musician at the Tiramisu Restaurant 5th and South St. for seven years, has worked at Alberto's Restaurants of Newtown Square and West Chester, and most recently has held down Wednesday and Friday evenings at the Redhead Lounge in the Latham Hotel, Philadelphia.

Michael's repertoire varies from Blues, Jazz, R&B, songs from the classic songwriters of the 30's and 40's, Broadway Show songs, to the Beatles, Stones, Billy Joel, Elton John, and Van Morrison.

Michael J. Margarite
cell: 610.246.2385
mmargarite@yahoo.com

P.S. I am very proud to have the opportunity to create a Piano Bar atmosphere that I know you will enjoy. My partners Shelly, Melissa and myself are constantly working to make our spot one that you will visit and want to share with your friends. Please stop in, introduce yourself, and ask for your favorite song.

Steve Odabashian was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, and has played piano since the age of four. He studied at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music through high school. Ever since childhood, he has found it easier to play by ear, and that is exclusively how he plays today.

He started playing professionally in 1996 when he moved to Japan for a few years (as a lawyer). In Japan, he was one of Tokyo's top foreign pianists and was a house favorite at the Irish pubs there, where he often collaborated with English guitarist, Tim Leffman (featured in "Lost in Translation").

Steve finally moved back to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2001 (as an equities trader) and became the regular lounge pianist at the Loews Hotel (PSFS Building) for two years, even appearing on an episode of the CBS TV series, "Hack" in 2002. He has also been a favorite at the King George Inn in Bristol.

Steve is also a well-known comedian and has placed in a couple of comedy contests over the years (New York Triad Theater's "Last Comic Standing", University of Virginia's Certs/Doritos Comedy Contest). He was recently named "Best Local Comedian" in the November, 2006 Philadelphia City Paper Readers' Poll. He may be best known as an impersonator of Eagles head coach, Andy Reid. He has appeared on several TV commercials and news stories in that capacity (often with the real Andy Reid). He has played piano in One Liberty Place (as Andy Reid) on the Fox 29 news. He also guest-sings with local rock band, Mr. Greengenes before home Eagles games at the Linc. He is often a guest comic on local sports talk radio and TV news.

Steve put his musical knowledge to good use in 2001 when he set the speed record on VH1's game show, "Name that Video", winning a Toyota 4Runner for his efforts. In 2006, Steve was featured on Episode 10 of "Hook me up" ("extreme makeover" for the technologically deprived) on the Tech channel for Yahoo.com.

Steve's playlist is virtually unlimited and consists mainly of pop, rock, top 40, and R&B tunes from the 60s right up to today's hits. He labels his style as "non-traditional" and his show will have you singing and laughing.

For more information and to hear samples of Steve's performances, check out the links below.
http://www.myspace.com/odabashianpiano
http://www.myspace.com/steveodabashiancomedy

Steve Odabashian
odabashian@yahoo.com

Stu Shames began playing piano at age 7 in hometown, Philadelphia.

From that time until now, he has won various songwriting contests on both coasts, written 2 hit musicals, was voted one of the "People to Watch" in San Diego Magazine, toured the United States and co-created the Philadelphia Songwriters Project.

In California, he played at University of California's Jazz Festivals and was one of the first pianists to play at the now acclaimed "Croce's", a jazz club operated by the late Jim Croce's wife. It was in San Diego, where he wrote "Lost In The City" and "A Few Hours in Hell", two full-length musicals, receiving rave reviews such as, "He is a San Diego treasure".

Back in Philly, he hooked up with the Original Dueling Pianos and has played, for years at dozens of clubs and venues such as Margaritaville, Maui, Atlantic City casinos, and the Bethlehem Musikfest.

The year that Stu began playing at Neil Stein's restaurant, Avenue B, they received a Best of Philadelphia for Piano Bar. Soon after that, he began working at The Redhead Lounge, which became Jolly's Piano Joint receiving outstanding reviews.

Stu is still active with his Philly Songwriter's Project, is a Grammy member, and, when he's not playing at clubs, teaches songwriting at the University of the Arts and piano at the Music Training Center.

http://www.stushames.com/
http://www.myspace.com/stushames

Stu Shames
Info@stushames.com

Greg Offner Jr is astounding...at least that's what his mother says...but we like him too.

Thats why he's a member of our "musical family" here at Cascamorto. Greg comes to us from West Chester University, where he majored in music education and minored in beer pong. Lately, hes been known to play anything from Sinatra to Sublime and frequently can be found skinny skiing off the coast of New Jersey.

Greg loves to get the crowd involved and his high energy performances often lead to improv songs about a variety of topics (most chosen by the patrons) and interesting piano versions of rap songs.

This is one performer you don't want to miss. Be sure to catch him here at Cascamorto wednesday nights from 8 to whenever!!!

Greg Offner Jr
GregOffnerJr@hotmail.com