Thanks for visiting my site!
My name is Mike Garrity and I have over 40 years of professional musical performance and education experience. I am married with 4 children and 9 grandchildren. While I grew up in Freeport, IL, I moved to Green Bay from Madison WI in 1992. I began playing professionally at the age of 13 with the band, The Noblemen. I started private piano lessons at age 5 and thank my Mother for making me stick with it and to "Practice, Practice and Practice more!"
All levels of experience accepted!
I teach individual piano lessons to students of all ages and experience levels, from beginners to advanced and from performing professionals to other Piano teachers. I also teach Improvization, Song Writing and Arranging. I have taught over 2,000 students over the years. Many of my current and former students also teach piano in their neighborhoods. I coach those students in the structure and organization needed to teach effectively.
Many of my other former students are professional musicians or band/music teachers. One of my former piano students won the WAMI Award for best keyboard performer in Wisconsin.
My performance history
I toured the Southeastern United States during the 1970's with the Rock & Roll band "Home Made Jam". We performed in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama.. I also played with "Rolled Oats", a Country Rock band based in Madison, Wisconsin, and "The Jakula Blues Band", based in Milwaukee. Since moving to Green Bay, I have performed with "The Brewmeisters", "Echo Canyon", "David Deon & The New Soul Experience", "Tripp Dexter", "Barbie & The Earthshakers", "Benny & The Jets", "Full Circle", "Let Me Be Frank Productions" at The Meyer Theatre, "ColdTrain", "The Wildman Trio", Cripple Creek Caravan", "The Garrity-Oldenburg Project" and "T-Bone Sloan an The Carmelizers". I also fill in with touring bands, and recently performed with the world famous "Casino Brothers" from Toronto Canada.
One of my former band mates, Deb Hastings, went on to become the Band Leader for Bo Diddley. Another former band mate, Michael Noble, played with Lynn Anderson and Don Williams and appeared in the movie, "Coal Miners Daughters". He is currently performing weekly in Nashville, TN with the house band at The Grand Ole Opry.
I currently perform Solo Piano/Vocal Shows and with SYNERGY, a Jazz & Blues Trio and also with the band Cripple Creek Caravan,
My Solo Shows feature an eclectic mix of Jazz, Blues & Rock, including original songs as well as those by artists such as Van Morrison, The Beatles, Santana, George Benson, Dave Brubeck, Joe Cocker, The Doors, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stevie Wonder, Willie Dixon, Otis Redding, Doctor John and more!