Our singers…

Lidya Diaz - Lead Vocals

Lidya is a native New Yorker and long time resident of New Jersey.  Lidya began singing in church as a young girl and was a member of several choirs and choral groups throughout high school and college. She later performed with various R&B groups in the tri-state area. Then one day, an acquaintance, who first heard Lidya at a local "singing contest," introduced her to "Reminisce.” She was immediately asked to join the group, and as they say... "the rest is history!"

Mark Byrnes - Lead Vocals

Mark has been singing in oldies bands for decades. He brings all that talent and experience to Reminisce to round out our 2021 front line.

Rene Martinez - Lead Vocals

Rene “the Kid” Martinez, vocalist. He may be the youngest member of the band, but his vocals exude talent and experience - oh, yeah, and fun. 

Dave Rothkopf - Tenor Sax

        Dave is our “new” Tenor sax player and has performed with Reminisce on and off for many years as a sub. Dave’s solos are both exciting and lyrical. Even though this is Dave’s first year as a full time member, it feels like he’s been a Reminiscer for years! 

Dave Arndt - Trumpet & Fluegelhorn

Born in Jersey, Dave cut his "musical molars" on the Philly music scene.  His career has crossed musical genres, playing trumpet for artists such as Michael Jackson, The Spinners, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Ben Vereen, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence & Edi Gorme, Michel Legrand, Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr, Diana Ross, and others.  

In classical music, Dave worked directly with Leonard Bernstein on initial run and break-in of the Broadway show "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue", was Principal Trumpet with the Colorado Philharmonic, has worked with the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Orchestra Brass Quintet.  

In addition to Reminisce, Dave is active as a sideman and freelancer with rock, R&B and jazz groups in the NJ/NY area.  He is also founder & General Mgr. of 3rdValve Productions, dedicated to promoting live music performance.

Mike Gennari - Bari Sax

A well known performer in both the NJ and NYC music scenes, Mike is a recent graduate from New Jersey City University, having majored in Music Education & Woodwind Doubling.  In addition to his work on saxes, he’s an accomplished performer on bassoon, clarinets & flutes, making him one of NJ’s prominent Low-Reed Specialists.

Mike was a featured saxophone soloist in the pit of NJPAC's month-long run of "Smokey Joe's Cafe," and was seen playing as part of Joan Rivers’ backup band in Livingston, NJ. More recently, Mike could be seen performing in local musicals such as "The Music Man," and "The Drowsy Chaperone," as well as playing soprano with "The Empty Sky Saxophone Quartet," based out of Jersey City.  Mike brings his skills as a performer to the classics of Rock 'n' Roll.

Pete Abazia - Drums

Pete has been an active drummer/percussionist in the NY/NJ area for the better part of two decades playing and recording with various rock, jazz, and world music groups like Jersey Transit Authority (Chicago Tribute), LaFolie Austral (Afro-Peruvian/Colombian fusion), and Choro Down Neck (Brazilian). You’re gonna love how well Pete’s style works with the rest of the band! 

Paulie “Hatts” Fatts - Keyboards

Paulie has been playing in cover bands since the mid-70's. Along with 3 older siblings, he grew up in a house filled with the music of the 50's and 60's, especially the Beatles. Now, 4 decades later, he is as exuberant as ever, and his performance is not limited to the sounds coming from his keyboard. His stage antics have earned him the nickname “Hatts.”  Paulie has a deep respect for the music of his youth, and strives to make the arrangements faithful to the originals. No wonder he fits right in.

Johnny Gee - Guitar & Vocals

John was lead guitarist for many years with the classic rock band "Brookwood" which was based in Clifton NJ. When Reminisce needed a sound man, John agreed to fill that spot, and he worked as our sound man for a few years. Then, when the opportunity arose, he gladly took over the lead guitar position. Now he brings his fine rock roots to Reminisce, and we’re all the better for it!

Jack Falz - Bass & Vocals

As a youngster in Lyndhurst, NJ, Jack would listen to WMCA and WABC-AM on a transistor radio everywhere he went. He never forgot those sounds of early rock. He took up guitar in '66 and honed his guitar skills during his high school years, playing at dances and “battles of the bands.”  Jack studied music at William Paterson College and for many years played the local "lounge" circuit.  In 2011 he became the band's bass player and musical director.

Texx O’Connor - Audio Engineer

A wiz at the soundboard, Texx will sweeten our sounds just right!.