Public pianos are always hotspots for viral videos, but the stars truly aligned for Jared Nandra when he took to the keys at London’s Battersea Power Station.
The pro pianist was already causing a scene; a huge crowd was gathering behind him as he jammed old school swing tunes like a flashback to the dying phenomenon of honky tonk London pubs. But when a passing couple turned out to be pro dancers, setting down their bags and busting into a flawless vintage swing routine, they transformed the shopping centre for a moment into an old-world dance hall.
While the magically spontaneous performance was kicking off on the ground floor, surrounded by a growing wall of avid watchers, passers-by on the balconies above can be seen herding against the glass to get their glimpse of the viral moment unraveling below.
With lightning-fast footwork, twirls and lifts, it’s clear these French dancers weren’t just amateurs having a ball. But as some viewers of this 4.3M-times-viewed clip have realized, this is exactly what music is made for: bringing people together, spreading good vibes and enjoying life. The result is 100% golden.
Jared, aged 21, was less than a minute into his song when his vibrantly retro rhythms lured the middle-aged dance partners to his side. They threw down their shopping bags (the woman even removed her denim jacket mid-dance without losing a beat) and made YouTube history without a second thought, grooving on the polished floors as Jared’s quickfire fingerwork breakdanced across the piano keys.
Music Man readers are bound to love how naturally the moment unfolds as even Jared seems stunned, constantly looking over his shoulder to catch a peek of the couple’s moves without missing a note of his boogie woogie jam.
Jared Nandra’s no stranger to starring in viral clips. His YouTube channel is studded with public piano shenanigans around the capital city, including two multi-million-times-viewed videos, countless duets, piano battles, and impromptu jams with passing members of the public. One vid even sees four just-happened-to-be-there pianists playing a single set of keys in Kings Cross station, while another features a could-be Elvis impersonator jumping on top of the piano for a sing and boogie, rallying the crowd into a chorus.
If you would like to hear more from this talented pianist you can subscribe to his YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow Jared Nandra on Facebook and Instagram for updates and performances.