Beyond Kenny G and ‘elevator music’: The spirit of New Orleans comes to Delhi in a groovy jazz soiree
“What about Kenny G? I mean, what about elevator music? You know, jazz music that I know?” said Mia Dolan, explaining her aversion to jazz to Sebastian Wilder in La La Land. For many of us, that familiar idea of jazz is shaped by exactly this stereotype – the smooth, brassy swell of a saxophone drifting softly in the background of a restaurant, or echoing faintly inside an elevator. An electrifying ensemble at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre. (The Piano Man) Also Read | Piano Man founder Arjun Sagar Gupta reflects on why India needs more live music venues instead of mega shows | Interview However, much like Sebastian goes on to explain, jazz is far more than background noise – it is a dynamic, ever-evolving form shaped by tension, improvisation, and the push and pull of conflict and compromise. To truly grasp its depth and context, it’s something you have to experience live, where the music unfolds in real time. This very idea shaped the vision of Arjun Sagar Gupta, founder of Delhi’s jazz …
