Delhi, Get Your Top Hats Out - There's A Jazz Festival In Town

If you find yourself in the capital over the next 9 days with an evening to spare, you’re in for something special. Piano Man Jazz Club, an eclectic bar designed to be the first musical supper theater in Delhi, is making headway with the second edition of their Giants of Jazz festival. HG caught up with the founder of the club, Arjun Sagar,  to get an idea of what the festival has in store for us this year.
Started in September of 2015, The Piano Man Jazz Club has music every single night. In the last 14 months they have had approximately 380 nights of music - mostly jazz with a touch of the blues, rock and RnB. “The idea behind the space is to create a venue that lends exposure to music. It’s for Delhi to know that there is always going to be a place where you can go to listen to good music” Arjun explains. Patrons of the venue are quick to agree - there really isn’t anything else quite like this that the city has to offer. What is most unique about this venue is their fundamental artist centric approach. While Patrons are highly valued, respect for the artist is key. Arjun tells us that there have been instances where people have been asked to leave if they have interrupted an artist. This attitude cultivates a very serious appreciation for music and gives an artist the respect they are due. As a patron, it is best to understand the values of a venue beforehand rather than get caught unaware.

The festival was initially conceptualised last year when a bunch of international bands were touring India at the same time. Piano Man reached out to a festival organiser from Gategrash called Emma to help co-ordinate the bands to play at the club, and the success of the first edition naturally propelled them towards a second edition. One does not typically associate the words “music festival” to an intimate gathering of people all there purely for the music. “A lot of time and resources have gone into marketing The Jazz Giants and the whole idea behind calling it a festival is to introduce the venue, music and concept to a whole new audience” Arjun tells us.
If you are short on time and can’t catch the whole festival, Arjun tells us the one gig you absolutely shouldn’t miss is Malika Tirolien, a singer from Guadalupe who writes, composes and performs her urban music infused in afro-Caribbean jazz. She has collaborated with Grammy winning band Snarky Puppy, Lara Fabianor and Allain Jean-Marie and was also the lead singer of Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba. Another interesting segment of the festival is the Sing More Session with Arjun himself. For this gig, Arjun has selected two singers who he believes having amazing voices, Subhadra Kamath and Bhavya Raj Pandey. Arjun, who is a musician with a trained ear himself, will play the piano and the singers will sing songs chosen by him to suit their voice. For complete lineup details, visit their website. The festival has already begun so make the most of it, Delhi. We’ll leave you with this incredible track by WorldService Project to get into the zone.

Featured Image Courtesy The Piano Man Jazz Club