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. The evening is built around his free-ranging approach to the instrument: a stream of selections that can move among Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Zappa and Raymond Scott. Requests are part of the performance, along with Garin's comic flourishes, including tap dancing while seated at the piano.
Originally from Greenbelt, Maryland, Garin has been a New York nightlife mainstay for decades. He co-created and co-starred in Song of Singapore, earning a Drama Desk Award, and has acted with Spike Lee. His performing credits include work for and with Frank Zappa, James Chance, David Lee Roth and Kool & the Gang. Critic Will Friedwald called him “perhaps the most compelling musical omnivore I’ve ever encountered,” noting his ability to travel from Lizzo, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z to Stephen Sondheim and Noël Coward. That appetite for unlikely connections is central to Garin's Roxy work, where he blurs the line between pianist and D.J.
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.