“The very embodiment of the term Crooner. Knows his way round the ivories better than most, with an unbeatable repertoire of Classics and originals to keep you entertained."
Island Records artist
A philanthropic project
Hello
I'm Eli Gestetner, friend, sponsor and advisor to Paul Toshner
This is a philanthropic project, one that promotes the welfare of others, it is a love of humanity project on various levels, and is always progressing.
Contact me to discuss;
845 323 2631
I am looking for fund raising partners, and to help set up a new charity for the propagation of Pauls work in Senior Living homes across the USA, and simultaneously the spreading of love and peace.
Pauls work is rare, and very much needed - please see the many responses in the live testimonial clips above to see the impact of his work.
It is deserving of support to simply keep Paul as actively involved, due to the meager pay that these facilities budget. To allow for a modest income for him for a normal family life, and one member of full-time staff, as he continues to perform for seniors over great distances.
His costs far outweigh income generated, although the demand and need is hi. No way exists to bypass all the program directors to the bosses who determine these low wages, in return for what is Pauls uniquely appreciated service to seniors. There are no people out there doing what he is doing, hence Paul gets the “maximum” wherever he goes, but that is still low for what is a very hi level product. This quality requires huge tasking, maintenance, preparation, and set up time; these and many more behind the scenes things, that people don't necessarily appreciate. And it just doesn't pay what it should for the sake of what it does for the seniors.
TO HELP UNDERSTAND
* “Since Covid all the other entertainers don’t want to come back and they all now ask for $500 and we cant afford it, Paul has always performed his 2hr show with set up and strip down for $360, this is the most we ever paid any entertainer which udsually ranges from $150 to $200 max, but he works hard doing a great job.”
Courtney Corrosi
Activities director
Brightview Senior living, Maryland
(410 567 0094)
Harmony in Savannah is a new customer for Paul and pays $175, which is $75 more than they pay any other entertainer. And this is the review they left:
"Such a great performance! Baby Tosh was energetic, inclusive, and so entertaining! Residents loved the interaction and the over all joy brought to the community. We can't wait to have him back!"
Elinor Lincoln
Activities director
Paul has taken music as a therapy to a new level, every performance contributes to calmness, contributes to a degree of peace, contributes to the participants overall wellbeing. Paul has not only dedicated his life to this work, honed a repertoire and performance approaches, and proved himself with a variety of audiences, but developed top quality equipment systems to provide the quality in every way. The results can be seen and heard. Paul performs in sickness and in health, from Jacksonville to Connecticut; doing all the booking preparations, promotion, invoicing, video production, gear maintenance, camera work etc.
He needs as much taken off his hands as possible, and a little help to afford a more normal life in tandem.
I'm no multi millionaire, but believe in the spread of Pauls work for it's own sake, to the extent that for the last few years in various ways I have offered support, and only seen increased results; including, after seeing him travel so far in all weathers in a beat up Honda, I bought, for him to have full use of, a new full self driving Tesla (Paul sometimes sleeps in it). The kind of distances Paul now covers would be impossible without a self driving car (Paul mentions it in the video at the foot of this page.)
Perhaps a helpful perspective:
Since Napster and then everything else on the internet, there has been a dumbing down allowing too wide a range of un-filtered product to reach many platforms. The end result being a lack of support systems, on various levels, for this kind of artist. Someone like Paul would perhaps a long time ago have had an “artist development deal", to basically do what he has done himself. He is now booked far and wide and beyond his capacity to handle, in a realm where their is still a great need, but without a decent wage.
His performances are best exploited to lift up the people he encounters wherever they may be.
Paul :
• Provides comfort
• Provides hope
• Spreads joy
• Delivers spiritual content
• Has dedicated his life to it
• Is the only person doing what he does, and has a good 20 years performing still in him
• Has his show and approach at its best state of development at this time.
So:
I am looking for a motivated individual / individuals, who shares the passion for spreading the goodness, or who can make a career out of it at the same time.
Contact me to discuss;
Eli Gestetner
845 323 2631
E
"Their’s nothing more satisfying than the work itself and seeing how it’s improved and grown over the years (I enjoy the telling of the stories in the songs, and the progression of the repertoire, the approach, and the equipment). A close second is how wonderful it is to be able to listen to the people who want to show their appreciation afterwards when they talk to me, and I just listen, it’s very special. To say I'm grateful to all the seniors and the program directors and Eli, who help me give my life a meaning, is somewhat an understatement. Thank you"
Paul T
TESTIMONIALS
FROM LIVE FOOTAGE
"Im glad I got to see you before I go" “I think you sound like Michael Bublay” “You’re an artist in your own right, you don’t remind me of anybody now but Paul Toshner” “You brought Sinatra back to life” "You are just incredibly creative" “More fantastic than Carnegie Hall” “You wrote most of these songs didn’t you? A very talented man you are!” “Above and beyond” “I like him the best, he’s got humor with his playing, the other ones are strait laced” “We’re not going to let you go.” “I’m a Frank Sinatra tribute act up in the North East, but your tone is just amazing” “You’re a really good frank Sinatra singer, you get his…. timing” “I think I’ve listened to that song a hundred times but that might be the first time I’ve actually heard it" “You love what you’re doing, that love comes out to all of us” “We say to hell with Bingo!” “You did a very good job with a smile, and that’s the way it is” “You were excellent, and I’m old enough to know cause I go back to Billy Eckstine and all them cats” “You sing with your whole body?” “He can play the piano thats for sure” "any song you play we've all experienced something" “Your free. Some people stick to things but your very fluid. You’re a real artist, as if u don’t know it!” “It’s my speed” "You don't know this but nobody leaves when you play, with the other entertainers people tiptoe out, with you they tiptoe in" “You are amongst those that keep the world alive”
GOOGLE REVIEWS
“Fun show and great guy! Really got everyone singing and kept the energy up. He knows his stuff”
Joseph and Charles Fox
Fox Music House, Yamaha dealer Charleston
“Paul has been playing at our assisted living community for two years now and comes almost monthly to entertain, and entertain he does! He is interactive, exciting and even takes requests. He has been known to learn a song or two for our residents. He puts a fun spin on any song and clearly loves what he's doing. I highly suggest him!”
Courtney Corrosi
Activities director
Brightview Senior living, Maryland
"Such a great performance! Baby Tosh was energetic, inclusive, and so entertaining! Residents loved the interaction and the over all joy brought to the community. We can't wait to have him back!"
Elinor Lincoln
Activities director