Colin Huggins

Colin Huggins (born January 6, 1978) is an American classical pianist and street performer in New York City. He is known for his frequent performances in New York City on a grand piano which he transports and plays outside, and he has become known as "the piano man of Washington Square Park".[1]

Colin Huggins
Huggins playing piano in Washington Square Park in January 2019
Huggins playing piano in January 2019
Background information
Born (1978-01-06) January 6, 1978
Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
OriginNew York City, U.S.
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Pianist
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active2003–present

Early life

Huggins grew up in Decatur, Georgia, where he began playing guitar at an early age and took piano lessons from ages 16 to 20. Other than those lessons, he is largely self-taught on the piano. For income, he worked odd jobs, such as baking and working as a bike messenger. A visit to Boston led Huggins to develop an interest in performing piano in a professional capacity for ballet.[2] He worked as a ballet accompanist until his girlfriend broke up with him[2] and in 2003, Huggins moved to New York City and became an accompanist for the American Ballet Theatre for several years and also worked as the music director at Joffrey Ballet School.[3][1][4]

Career

In 2007, he performed in Union Square and enjoyed the experience so much that he became a full-time street performer.[1][5]

Huggins would transport a beat-up upright piano that he purchased from Craigslist to Father Demo Square and Union Square. He performed there until police and nearby residents complained about the large crowds he would attract.[1] Huggins then began to play piano two or three times a week in New York City Subway stations[6] and at Washington Square Park, playing for up to twelve hours at a time.[2]

In 2011, Huggins accumulated fines of $6,000 from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for performing near monuments and park benches. In 2012, the policy changed to allow performers like Huggins to continue to perform.[7][8] Huggins noted the historical connection that Washington Square Arch has to pianists, citing Ignacy Jan Paderewski's sponsorship of its construction in 1892.[9]

Huggins plays a grand piano on a large path in a park. Two people lie underneath it. On the piano's side is the phrase "THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS".
People lying underneath Huggins' piano as he plays in Spring 2021

Huggins has used crowdfunding campaigns to purchase baby grand pianos for his outdoor performances.[3] In 2018, Huggins raised $30,000 on Kickstarter to purchase a 900-pound 1958 Steinway B grand piano that The New York Times described as "the majestic lure that helps draw audiences to him."[1] Huggins is known for inviting listeners to lie beneath his pianos while he plays. His pianos bear an inscription reading "this machine kills fascists", inspired by a sticker that Woody Guthrie placed on his guitar during World War II that bore the same message.[10][9]

Impact of COVID-19

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Huggins' ability to earn sufficient income by performing. He moved performances online during the lockdown[11] and made attempts to adapt his act to further support himself.[1]

In creative works

Huggins has made appearances in television series, including as himself in 2011 on the series Louie and in 2020 on Little Voice.[12][13]

Personal life

Huggins is vegan.[14] In September 2022 Huggins became homeless and sleeps on top of his piano in the park at night.[15]

References
  1. Alex Vadukul (July 16, 2020). "It's a Tough Time to Be a Street Musician With a 900-Pound Piano". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  2. Rachel Kaplan (April 18, 2012). "A Day in the Life of 'The Crazy Piano Guy' of Washington Square Park". NYU Local. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  3. Della Hasselle (June 6, 2011). "'Crazy Piano Guy' Brings Baby Grand to Washington Square Park". DNAinfo. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  4. Eduardo Suárez (March 12, 2014). "Fervor de Nueva York". El Mundo (in Spanish).
  5. Steven Kurutz (August 30, 2008). "The Real Piano Man". The New York Times.
  6. Erica Pearson (March 7, 2009). "'Crazy' in E flat: Determined piano man Colin Huggins is a hit in subway". DNAinfo.
  7. Alex Silverman (May 14, 2012). "NYC Parks Department Lifts Ban on Live Music Near Fountains, Monuments". CBS.
  8. Shako Liu (February 22, 2012). "A Street Pianist And His New York City". Neon Tommy, USC. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. "Colin Huggins". www.facebook.com. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  10. Sydney Pereira (September 13, 2019). "Local Legend: Colin 'The Piano Guy' Plays Washington Square Park". Patch. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  11. "The Washington Square Park pianist is now doing live shows on Instagram" by Shaye Weaver, Time Out New York, March 19, 2020
  12. Louie – "Subway/Pamela" at IMDb
  13. Little Voice – "I Don't Know" at IMDb
  14. "How Hard Is It To Be Vegan? with Colin Huggins". Spotify (Podcast). The VedgeTalk Podcast. October 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  15. Lincoln Anderson. "Park piano man becomes one with his instrument — as he sleeps on top of it". The Village Sun. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
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