Roxy Bar Presents: Pianist Michael Garin
Roxy Bar2 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10013
Michael Garin plays solo piano at Roxy Bar, where he is the resident pianist. This is his regular Tuesday through Saturday engagement, built as a post-work set rather than a conventional piano-bar program: Garin moves through a deliberately wide field of material, and the room’s description notes requests alongside his comic, self-deprecating asides. The result blurs pianist and DJ, with a running musical sequence that can connect Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Frank Zappa and Raymond Scott.
Originally from Greenbelt, Maryland, Garin has been a fixture of New York nightlife for decades. His résumé includes playing with Frank Zappa, James Chance, David Lee Roth and Kool & the Gang, and he co-created and co-starred in Song of Singapore, earning a Drama Desk Award. He has also worked as a songwriter, singer, poet, actor and song-and-dance performer. Writing in The New York Sun, Will Friedwald called Garin “perhaps the most compelling musical omnivore I’ve ever encountered,” citing his movement among contemporary pop and rap, Sondheim and Noël Coward. That appetite for abrupt, informed connections is central to the Roxy set.
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.