Mike Garson
Pianist
Universally respected for his impressive skills as a pianist, Mike Garson is an accomplished composer and educator, as well. For many, Mike has been known for his relationship with David Bowie, Mike made his mark on dozens of albums and traveled the world with him on tour including both David’s first and final public performances in the United States. Mike’s solid reputation for creativity and quality has motivated artists to collaborate on various recording and performance projects including Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins. Mike’s purpose has always been to inspire and affect lives in a positive way through his music.
Michael David Garson has worked with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Duran Duran, Free Flight and The Smashing Pumpkins.
Garson was David Bowie's longest-serving and most frequently appearing band member. They performed together for both Bowie's first and last concerts in the United States as well as 1,000 concerts around the globe in between.
In his youth, Mike studied classical composition with Leonard Eisner of Juilliard and earned degrees in Music and Education from Brooklyn College. He also studied with Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Hal Overton, Robert Starer and Lennie Tristano. He has played with Stanley Clarke, Elvin Jones, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz and Freddie Hubbard.