STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Robert Joseph Moskowitz, known professionally as Robert Mosci, died Dec. 25 at Staten Island University Hospital’s Addeo House. He was 72.
Robert Mosci at Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel, captured in a painting by his wife, Sarah Yuster. A gifted musician and performer, Mosci was diagnosed with glioblastoma over the summer. His final performance at Bemelmans took place on June 26, 2025.(Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)
Mosci was a jazz pianist, vocalist, songwriter and producer whose career spanned more than four decades. He performed at some of New York City’s most elegant venues, including a long-running residency at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel, where his soulful interpretations of pop standards and original compositions earned him a devoted following. He released seven albums, most recently Reflected Back, featuring songs by Grammy-winning songwriter Hugh Prestwood.
Born in Flushing, Queens, Mosci studied at Cornell University and Berklee College of Music, mastering multiple instruments before focusing on piano and voice. His artistry combined technical skill with warmth and charm, attracting jazz enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.
Mosci, second from the left, celebrated with his friends, many of whom were professional musicians. (Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)Fans and friends remember his music and spirit
Caryn Sucher, a longtime fan, recalled countless evenings listening to Mosci at Bemelmans and the Water Club.
“My friend Rich and I were longtime friends and fans of Robert Mosci. We loved Robert and enjoyed his beautiful singing and dazzling piano performances many times at the Water Club and Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel,” Sucher said. She added, “Some of our favorite songs from his extensive repertoire were Nilsson’s Everybody’s Talkin’, Peter Allen’s You and Me (We Wanted It All), and Frank Sinatra’s The Coffee Song. The music world lost a true virtuoso. RIP Robert.”
Mosci with his daughter, Nora, and musician Erik Lawrence. (Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)
Erik Lawrence, a musician and friend of 31 years, shared a deeply personal tribute.
“Bob was a kind and generous man with a huge heart and great sense of humor. We made each other laugh, even when we weren’t supposed to. His singing voice spoke with quiet elegance, style, and warmth. He always thought of others and loved his friends,” Lawrence said.
He recalled their early bond: “From the moment we met, we felt a kinship—we had just had our sons, both our fathers were musicians, and we were lifelong Mets fans. One of the first things we recorded together was a version of the Yankees theme, which Bob cheekily gave to George Steinbrenner. To our surprise, that rendition played during a World Series commercial break, and Bob nearly scored tickets! He rubbed cufflinks with a lot of celebrities in his line of work, but famous people loved him because he was so talented yet so down-to-earth.”
Earl Rose, a fellow pianist at Bemelmans, spoke of Mosci’s impact on the Carlyle community.
“Whenever I came in to play at Bemelmans, people—staff and guests alike—would ask me about Bob. He touched so many lives here, not just through his music but through his warmth and everyday conversations,” Rose said.“This morning, when I told the doorman, he was visibly upset; he said he and Bob used to talk about the Mets every day. That was Bob—he connected with people on a personal level. When we did speak, it was often about music. I remember a conversation about Henry Mancini’s Soldier in the Rain, which Bob loved. He was insightful, thoughtful, and always accommodating when schedules needed to change. For me, and for so many at The Carlyle, it was always a pleasure to know him.”
His wife, artist Sarah Yuster shared a memory. “A few years ago, Robert called me, absolutely thrilled. He said, ‘I was playing The Long and Winding Road, really getting into it, and suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around—and it was Paul McCartney giving me a thumbs up!’ Paul told him, ‘That’s the best rendition I’ve ever heard of that song,’ and then added, ‘I hope I didn’t throw you off.’ Bob laughed and said, ‘You did!’ He was so excited to share that moment with me and our daughter, who’s a huge Beatles fan.”
Yuster said whenever Paul came in, he’d greet Bob warmly. She said, “There’s even a video where Paul whispered a joke in Bob’s ear while he was playing, and Bob tried to keep going while laughing—it was priceless. And then there was the night Bill Murray joined him for an impromptu performance of Brandy, which ended up in the New York Post. Bob had these incredible encounters, but what made them special was how down-to-earth he remained through them all.”
Yuster shared, “What he really loved were the people he worked with, many of the people who worked hard to be successful in the United States. They were from around the world and some of the people he forged wonderful relationships with. He was so interested in their lives and wanted them to be happy and successful with happy relationships.”
Robert Mosci, left, with his wife Sarah, son-in-law Nick and daughter Nora Martin plus Ian Moscowitz and his wife Rebecca. (Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)A life beyond music
Beyond the stage, Mosci was an avid sailor who restored his own boat and spent summers on the water after earning certification through the American Sailing Association. His optimism and resourcefulness shone after Hurricane Sandy, when he turned a setback into an opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of sailing.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, artist Sarah Yuster; their children, Ian and Nora; grandchildren Max and Finnian; his mother, Adele Moskowitz; and sister Susan Volchok, along with other relatives.
Playing piano was a very physical job and Mosci liked to keep active by hiking, sailing and working out at the gym. (Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 at Menorah Chapels, 2145 Richmond Ave., New Springville, followed by burial at United Hebrew Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the family home at 160 Hart Blvd., Randall Manor, on Dec. 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Dec. 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In this painting by Sarah Yuster, Robert Mosci is captured at his finest, playing jazz with fellow musicians and friends. (Courtesy of Sarah Yuster)