Misha Piatigorsky
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
Misha Piatigorsky brings his piano trio to Zinc Bar on November 17. The billed format is the configuration Piatigorsky calls his favorite, though the other musicians for this date have not been announced. Expect a set shaped by his writing as well as his piano playing, with the crosscurrents of jazz, classical music and contemporary grooves central to the sound.
Originally from Moscow and now based in New York, Piatigorsky is a pianist, composer and producer whose music joins “powerful melodies with driving rhythms.” He won the 2004 BMI Thelonious Monk Composers Competition and has served as pianist and musical director for singer Mark Murphy, while his work also extends to film and multimedia composition. His collaborators and project members have included guitarist Freddie Bryant, percussionist Gilad, bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Ari Hoenig. The Boston Globe called his work a music that “beautifully merges the worlds of serious jazz and pop.” Writing about 17 Rooms, All About Jazz heard a “mixture of bebop, gospel and classically-based styles,” and reviewer Marcia Hillman found that Piatigorsky’s “free spirit” shines through the record.
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.