Piano Music - Cocktail, Jazz & Classics
Cocktail Piano Medley (Classics, Jazz, pop, Bossa Nova...)
Isfahan (Standard, Duke Ellington)
Jazz Piano Trio - The Touch of Your Lips (Jazz Standard)
Echo of Spring (Ragtime)
Solo piano performance
For your Upscale events!
Cutural and corporate events
Wedding Cocktail hour
Jazz trio for a sophisticated athmosphere
Overview
I'm a professional pianist and I will perform elegant, soulful renditions of jazz standards and pop all time favorites with a silky touch and refined style. The music will be tailored to your event — from smooth background ambiance to a lively set. I'm available as a solo pianist or a duo with a bass/sax or singer, or a full jazz trio for added warmth and sophistication. A quality digital piano can be provided if an acoustic piano is not available. I'm looking forward to bringing a jazz touch to your events in order to make your event memorable!
Reviews
7 reviews
Meredith H.
January 4, 2026Wonderful pianist, great experience and highly recommend!
Wajdi, Thank you again for the wonderful piano music at my dad’s 75th birthday party. Your playing was so smooth, silky and beautiful, and everyone commented on how much they enjoyed it. It added so much to the celebration! We would love to have you back again soon!
Hired as: Pianist
Piano Music - Cocktail, Jazz & Classics
Thank you Meredith for having me. I enjoyed playing at your party and I'm glad the music resonated with your guests and made the event special. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.
Matthew B.
April 19, 2026NYSSMA accompaniment
Thanks for being reliable, supporting us before the performance and your positive feedback. Much appreciated,
The Banks famy
Hired as: Pianist
Piano Music - Cocktail, Jazz & Classics
Thank you for the review and kind words, Mathew. I really enjoyed playing and I'm glad I could help make the process a bit easier. It was a pleasure being part of the event. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating again in the future.
Jaime H.
April 4, 2026Amazing!
Wajdi is so talented!!!! He played at my wedding and the guests won’t stop raving about him. Definitely book him!!! You won’t regret it! I look forward to booking him again for my future events!
Hired as: Pianist
Harry A.
January 3, 2026Mom's 90th
Can't say enough nice things about Wajdi. He is a great communicator, played exactly what I asked for, was professional, on time, and personable. He made my mother's 90th a very special day.
Hired as: Pianist
Piano Music - Cocktail, Jazz & Classics
Thank you so much Harry for the wonderful review! I’m so happy I could help make your mother's birthday memorable for everyone. I especially loved the warm and cheerful atmosphere of the party. All the best to you and your family for the year ahead!
Anna S.
December 11, 2025Such a nice touch!
Wajdi is an absolute pro. 10/10 would hire again
Hired as: Classical Pianist, Jazz Pianist, Pianist
Booking information
Price range: $500 and up.
Languages: English, French
Gig length: 30 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Musician/band
What to expect
You can expect a pianist who pays close attention to the atmosphere of your event and shapes the music around it. I create set lists that fit the mood you want — whether that’s elegant background jazz, smooth swing, gentle Bossa Nova, or tasteful pop and contemporary classics played in a refined cocktail-piano style. The music stays at the right volume, supports conversation, and helps set a warm, welcoming tone for your guests. My goal is to provide a polished, relaxed, and enjoyable musical backdrop that elevates your event without ever overpowering it.
About
I’m a professional pianist who focuses on creating the right musical atmosphere for each event — elegant, warm, and expressive. Whether you’re hosting a private dinner, cocktail reception, wedding, or corporate gathering, my goal is always the same: to enhance the mood with music that feels natural, tasteful, and perfectly suited to the moment.
With over 25 years of performance experience in clubs, festivals, and private events, I adapt easily to different settings and expectations. I can provide smooth cocktail piano, classic swing, jazz ballads, ragtime, Brazilian tunes, or refined arrangements of well-known pop and contemporary favorites. For a fuller sound, I also offer duo or trio options.
When playing popular music, I like to bring the same sensitivity to songs by artists such as The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Elton John, and other timeless writers, always keeping the interpretation gentle and inviting. My jazz playing is influenced by the great pianists who defined the genre — the lyricism of Bill Evans, the drive of Oscar Peterson, and the understated clarity of Ahmad Jamal. These inspirations help shape a style that is melodic, expressive, and easy to listen to.
No matter the event, I aim to provide music that elevates the experience, complements conversation, and leaves guests with a memorable and enjoyable atmosphere.
Additional booking notes
- A well tuned grand or upright piano in good condition. For larger venues, a sound system is preferred for the piano to cover the room.
- If an acoustic piano is not available, a professional quality digital piano might be used (to be discussed with the artist).
- The artist will bring a digital piano in case the above is not available.
Upcoming booked events
June 2026
20
Saturday
Solo Piano/Art Gallery Party
4:00pm - 7:00pm
26
Friday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Warren, NJ
September 2026
12
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Past booked events
June 2026
13
Saturday
Corporate Event
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Valley Stream, NY
May 2026
10
Sunday
Mother's Day Event
12:00pm - 3:00pm
April 2026
30
Thursday
Jazz Day Concert/Livesteam
10:00am - 11:00am
23
Thursday
Fundraiser
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Roslyn Heights, NY
18
Saturday
Casting Call
2:30pm - 3:00pm
•
New Hyde Park, NY
11
Saturday
Solo Piano Concert
6:00pm - 10:00pm
March 2026
28
Saturday
Birthday Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
27
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Northvale, NJ
21
Saturday
Cocktail Party (Solo Piano)
6:00pm - 8:00pm
14
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony (Jazz Trio)
4:00pm - 6:00pm
January 2026
22
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
New York City, NY
04
Sunday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Chatham, NJ
December 2025
20
Saturday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Brooklyn, NY
10
Wednesday
Wedding Ceremony
12:00pm - 3:00pm
09
Tuesday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
New York City, NY
06
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 6:00pm
•
New Canaan, CT
November 2025
22
Saturday
Solo Piano Concert
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Set list
🎷 JAZZ AND BROADWAY CLASSICS
- The Great Standards: Fly Me To the Moon, Body and Soul, All or Nothing At All, I Thought About You, Stella By Starlight, Tangerine...
- Frank Sinatra Favorites: Strangers in the Night, New York, New York, The Shadow of Your Smile, My Way...
- Jerome Kern: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, The Way You Look Tonight, Yesterdays.
- Cole Porter: Night and Day, Easy to Love, Begin the Beguine, Everything I Love.
- Duke Ellington: In a Sentimental Mood, Isfahan, Satin Doll, Take the A-Train.
- George Gershwin: But Not for Me, Summertime, Embraceable You, Our Love is Here to Stay.
- Nat King Cole: Unforgettable, L-O-V-E, Smile, Autumn Leaves.
-Louis Armstrong: C’est Si Bon, What a Wonderful World, Mack the Knife, Georgia on My Mind, etc.
🎹 POP AND CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS
- Love Songs & Ballads: Time to Say Goodbye, Besame Mucho, La Vie en Rose, Moon River (Bocelli style).
- The Beatles: Imagine, All My Loving, Michelle.
- 70s & 80s Icons: How Deep is Your Love (Bee Gees), Your Song (Elton John), Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel).
- Contemporary Hits: Don’t Know Why (Norah Jones), Something Just Like This (Coldplay).
- Soul & Motown: Isn’t She Lovely, I Just Called to Say I Love You, My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder).
- Classic Crooners: Love Me Tender, Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis), Country Roads (John Denver), etc.
❄️ HOLIDAY CLASSICS
- Winter Favorites: Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow!, I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Sleigh Ride.
- Christmas Gems: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Silent Night, Last Christmas.
- New Year & Spirit: Auld Lang Syne, Ode to Joy, Feliz Navidad.
🏛️ CLASSICAL AND RAGTIME
- Classical: J.S. Bach (Prelude in C, Goldberg Aria), Beethoven (Fur Elise), Debussy (Arabesque No. 1), Mozart (Turkish March), etc.
- The Ragtime Era: The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, Echo of Spring, Ain’t Misbehavin’, All of Me, etc.
🇧🇷 LATIN AND BRAZILIAN BOSSA NOVA
Antonio Carlos Jobim & More: Girl from Ipanema, Wave, Blue Bossa, Corcovado, Triste, Insensatez, Manhã de Carnaval, Summer Samba (So Nice), etc.
Influences and inspiration
I draw inspiration from many different musical worlds. I’ve always been moved by artists who value melody, emotion, and storytelling — whether that’s classical composers, singer-songwriters, film music creators, or influential jazz musicians. I’m inspired by the clarity and phrasing of great vocalists, the harmonic color of Brazilian music, the timeless songwriting of artists like The Beatles or Joni Mitchell, and the expressive touch of pianists from many traditions.
Setup requirements
A well tuned grand or upright piano in good condition.
For larger venues, a sound system is preferred for the piano to cover the room.
If an acoustic piano is not available, a professional quality digital piano might be used (to be discussed with the artist)