Roxy Bar Presents: Pianist Michael Garin
Roxy Bar2 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10013
Michael Garin plays a solo piano set at Roxy Bar, where he is the resident pianist. His approach is built around a fast-moving stream of references rather than a fixed repertoire, shifting between names as far apart as Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Zappa and Raymond Scott. The result, according to the venue, deliberately blurs the line between pianist and DJ, with requests and Garin’s own comic asides part of the performance.
Originally from Greenbelt, Maryland, Garin has been a New York nightlife mainstay for decades. He is a pianist, songwriter, singer, poet, actor and song-and-dance man, and co-created and co-starred in the Drama Desk Award-winning environmental musical Song of Singapore. His résumé includes Elaine’s, the Monkey Bar, the Rainbow Room and Limelight’s VIP Room; he has also performed for and with Frank Zappa, James Chance, David Lee Roth and Kool & the Gang. Stephen Holden called him “a virtuoso musical wit” in The New York Times, while The New York Sun described him as “perhaps the most compelling musical omnivore I’ve ever encountered.”
Roxy Bar offers a stylish setting where live jazz fills the air, accompanied by a menu that caters to diverse tastes including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The room features plush seating and a well-stocked bar, creating a comfortable environment to enjoy performances by resident musicians or special guests. Shows typically run in the evening with sets from 6pm to 10pm, followed by DJs spinning vinyl late into the night. Weekend brunches also feature live music, blending dining and entertainment seamlessly. The venue balances attentive service with a relaxed vibe, making it a place to savor both cocktails and music without distraction. Its location in Tribeca adds a downtown charm, inviting guests to linger over oysters or a crafted cocktail while soaking in the sounds.