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".

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. He worked as a ballet accompanist until his girlfriend broke up with him

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

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. and at Washington Square Park, playing for up to twelve hours at a time. Huggins noted the historical connection that Washington Square Arch has to pianists, citing Ignacy Jan Paderewski's sponsorship of its construction in 1892.

alt=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". Huggins has used crowdfunding campaigns to purchase baby grand pianos for his outdoor performances. 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." and made attempts to adapt his act to further support himself. In September 2022 Huggins became homeless and sleeps on top of his piano in the park at night.