One of four protégés of swing great Johnny Guarnieri (of The Benny Goodman and The Artie Shaw Bands) and one of the top classic New York-style pianists in the U.S., David Levin has evolved into a cabaret concert pianist. Known for performing the show tunes and movie songs of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and others, Levin specializes in the showcasing of movie songs, scores and themes from classic movies of the 30s, 40s. 50s, 60s and 70s. He has also been heavily influenced by the jazz piano recordings of early Andre Previn, Errol Garner and of course, Art Tatum. His main influence, however, was Johnny Guarnieri, in particular Guarnieri’s classical approach to many songs and his use of 5/4 time.
The full-time pianist at The Rainbow Room in New York in 1991, pianist at The Mark Hopkins Hotel, pianist at the famous Blue Fox and pianist at the prestigious Pacific-Union Club on Nob Hill in San Francisco, David Levin has played for heads of state, congressmen and Celebrities. He has appeared in the columns of the late Herb Caen and the late Pat Steger in the San Francisco Chronicle as well as Page 3 in a human interest article in The Independent in Burlingame. He has performed at every major society event in San Francisco.
Featuring David Levin
Levin was for many years accompanist to vocalist Regina Otto. They performed at the exclusive New York eatery Harry Cipriani on New Year’s Eve 1996 and many other noted venues. He also performed at the famed Knickerbocker Club in New York and was house pianist at Innis Arden Country Club in Old Greenwich, CT. After a year in New York, Levin and Otto returned to San Francisco where they performed at The Mark Hopkins, The Opera Gala and The Plush Room. He was pianist at Filoli Mansion’s Ballroom in 2017-2018. Before COVID hit the U.S. in early 2020, Levin was performing cabaret concerts (no vocals) in the S.F. Bay Area as well as background piano music for wedding receptions and private parties and was pianist at the exclusive Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. He still performs monthly at the Circus Club.
The photo here shows Levin in October 2017 in concert at the exclusive private retirement hotel, Vi at Palo Alto.
Levin’s breakout solo piano CD What Hand Problems? was recorded on a Baldwin “D” piano in the Filoli Mansion Ballroom and on a Steinway “B” piano. Those who want to purchase it can do so on the DLE Mercantile page on this site by clicking the “Buy Now” button at the bottom of that page.