Mark Birnbaum (b. 1952) is an American musician. A classically-trained composer and pianist, and a television personality, Birnbaum earned a Doctorate in Music from Columbia University in 1982. In 1983, he composed and directed the successful off-Broadway show, "A Day Together", which was funded by the Helena Rubenstein Foundation and travelled throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Encouraged by Andy Warhol, Steve Allen and a chance encounter with Richard Nixon, he moved to playing (and singing) ragtime, blues, and jazz, successfully appearing in Birdland, The Angry Squire, and other nightclubs in the New York City metropolitan area. From 1990 to 1993 he appeared nightly (dressed in flashy clothing) as staff pianist on the Joe Franklin television show (WWOR-TV). At Edith O'Hara's 13th Street Theatre, Birnbaum has had successful one-man shows -'Ragtime 94', 'Ragtime 96' and most recently 'Hot Piano! Ragtime, Blues & Jazz'. Nicknamed "Mr Ragtime" by Captain Lou Albano, Birnbaum continues to record, perform, and reinvent Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and1920's-1950's music. In 2005, Birnbaum was awarded an honorary degree from the Neupauer Conservatory (the Order of the Shield) by Dr William Schimmel for his work with the accordion. In December of 2007, Schimmel and Birnbaum recorded together for the first time with the help of Micki Goodman and Godfrey Nelson their recent project "Duality Wrecks", which covers the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute continuum (interludes composed by the performers) www.billschimmel.com As a pedagogue, Birnbaum has pioneered a radical method to teaching the piano, involving meditation, deep breathing and slow motion transformation ("going faster by going slower"). Birnbaum also suggests healthful ideas(vegetarianism, black-strap molasses, goji berry juice) designed to further one's ability to learn faster and clearer with more energy. Hurricane Katrina: As a tribute to the birthplace of Jazz(and the greatest jazz man), in 2006 Birnbaum released "Jelly Morton's Missing New Orleans" (piano & vocals) Although less of a fixture on late night television, Birnbaum, when away from the piano, is still regarded (and photographed quite often) as one of the flashiest dressed men imaginable; ultra-modern eyeglasses, top hat,two-tone shoes, brilliant colored suits...and weather permitting, floor-length (faux) fur coats. Is he part Mr. Monopoly, Liberace, Gangsta-rapper and Pimp? That's what he is asked. Warhol did tell Birnbaum that "America Loves Visual Images".
