All set to host jazz artists from Japan, Korea, China, ‘The Piano Man’ reaches millennium city
New Delhi. Having hosted over 1400 concerts with many world’s well-known jazz artists performing here in its New Delhi-based ‘The Piano Man Jazz Club’ – the mecca of jazz in India has entered the music sphere of the millennium city Gurugram.
With its doors and hearts open to musicians from all over the world, The Piano Man Jazz Club’ in its new avatar in 32nd Avenue on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway is all set to welcome more artists from Japan, Korea, and China in the near future making the jazz here the multinational experience.
Some of the most incredible artists who have played The Piano Man include jazz maestro Chick Corea (with 22 Grammys), Malika Tirolien (Snarky Puppy), World Service Project from the UK, Worry Later from Austria, Bluegrass Journeymen from Colorado and hundreds of other international artists have taken the stage here.
“The galaxy of jazz artists that made it to our place also includes masters of jazz from Japan, Jiro Yoshida, Osamu Matsuyama, Makoto Kuriya, Koichi Osamu, Yuichiro Tokuda, Rie Ona, Chie Nishikori and we’re looking forward to welcoming back a dear friend and trombonist Yohei Saito in August 2019. From Korea, we’ve had the pleasure to host Sara Yun,” said Arjun Sagar Gupta, the man behind “The Piano Man” group. The recipient of GQ’s 50 most influential young Indians award in July 2017, Arjun is an electronics engineer by education and a Fulbright music scholar
And to mark the startling entry into Gurugram space, Arjun Sagar Gupta in alliance with UNESCO hosted a preview of ‘The Piano Man in 32nd Avenue on International Jazz Day.
According to Arjun, The Piano Man, a true melting pot of creativity and conviviality, brings to Gurugram, a chance to discover a variety of unexplored talent within the country and across, through daily live acts and properties such as Giants Of Jazz – India’s first exclusively curated Indoor Jazz Festival that will be in its 5th edition this year and its 2nd in Gurugram.
Nestled atop the iconic tower at 32nd Avenue, The Piano Man quintessentially transports you to the 20’s prohibition era. Perched upon the stage that is framed by a 20ft long velvet maroon curtain, a signature backdrop for the Jazz Club, is a stunning Bechstein Grand piano that holds special significance for ASG, as it is one of the instruments that he learned on under his teacher John Raphael at the Delhi School of Music.
Across the stage are wooden carved Gothic pews, that help facilitate better views of the stage while still accommodating everyone comfortably. A wide wooden staircase from the side of the stage leads up to the balcony, which overlooks the stage and provides a mesmerizing view of both the artists and the intricately crafted 240 trumpet chandelier. Spread across 3000 sqft, The Piano Man, Gurugram is spatially planned in a manner that enhances the experience of an immersive and intimate environment.
The design centers around The Piano Man’s Artist-First philosophy as space enables a deeper connect with the music, the artists and the people around.
The multi-talented entrepreneur’s vision has resulted in the culmination of a unique space in the country for its artists and audience.
“TPM Gurugram is our second step in propagating our arts and culture first ideology. We believe in creating safe spaces for artists and patrons, that allow a deeper connection with music, performing arts, and oneself. TPM Gurugram is the result of 2 years of ideation and work, and we are ecstatic to find a space so perfectly fitted for us at 32nd Avenue,” said the beaming Arjun Sagar Gupta.
With its first establishment that Launched in 2015, The Piano Man over the years has revolutionized the way people interact with jazz as well as food and cocktails. In a span of 3 years, The Piano Man has expanded and delved into initiating some of the most sought after and respected properties in Delhi which include, The Piano Man Jazz Club in Safdarjung, Dirty Apron – an experimental dining and The Piano Man Events and Artist Management Company (also dubbed as T.E.A.M.) – an event curation company. His newest addition to all the Jazz Clubs now boasts of a member’s only speakeasy, The Tatum Room (Soon to launch).
The Man behind ‘The Piano Man’
An electronics engineer by education and a Fulbright music scholar, Arjun Sagar Gupta is the man behind “The Piano Man” group. Widely reputed for pioneering several distinct brands under the group, from a musical supper-theatre concept in a jazz bar to a Eurasian restaurant, Arjun and his team have built successful concepts in the arts as well as F&B spaces. Currently, The Piano Man group today owns and manages The Piano Man Jazz Club, The Piano Man Bakery, Dirty Apron, and The Piano Man Events and Artist Management Company.
Arjun (or ASG as he is affectionately dubbed), is a living encyclopedia on jazz and a performing pianist with over a decade of professional experience. He entered the F&B industry in 2010 when he started Cake Away, a bakery catering to finer wholesale requirements of restaurants and corporate houses. A new branch of this will also be opening its doors soon.
Though not a chef by profession, he has devoted his time and energy to learning the art from bakers and chefs and to develop his skill and minutely analyse food, an ability he feels is indispensable as a restaurateur. He was also invited to apprise the viewers about choicest recipes from The Piano Man on NDTV’s Guilt Free TV show.
His journey with jazz began in his early teens and his love for music grew from an appreciation of the music to an aspiration to play it and then a deep-set desire to share it with people around him. Arjun has been an active member for several years on the board of “Capital Jazz,” the organisation behind the “Jazz Utsav”.
The current jazz scene in India is growing among young enthusiasts and experimental musicians. However, the performances so far have been very scattered and poorly produced. Arjun, with his venture The Piano Man Jazz Club and The Piano Man Events and Artist Management, intends to create a new standard for execution of events via a collaborative approach. He is now all set to take the unique supper-theatre concept to Gurgaon and keep growing The Piano Man group as a force to be reckoned with.
