Arnie Abrams is a New Jersey pianist and entertainer with more than 20 years of experience performing at weddings, cocktail hours, private parties, corporate events, restaurants, senior communities, and special celebrations throughout New Jersey, New York City, and the Philadelphia region.
Arnie began playing piano by ear at age five, inspired by his father, Howard Abrams, a gifted self-taught pianist. Arnie later discovered that he had perfect pitch and continued studying classical, popular, and jazz piano. Today, his repertoire includes jazz standards, classical favorites, Broadway music, the Great American Songbook, and popular songs from several generations.
Clients value Arnie’s ability to take requests, read the room, and adjust the music to fit the setting. He can perform as a solo pianist or help arrange additional musicians, including vocalists, saxophonists, violinists, and guitarists.
Planning an event? Check Arnie’s availability or call or text him at (732) 995-1082.
Arnie began playing piano at age five by watching and copying his father, Howard Abrams, a gifted self-taught pianist who played entirely by ear. Howard knew thousands of songs despite never learning to read music, and his energetic Harlem Stride style became an early influence on Arnie.
Arnie later discovered that he had perfect pitch, which allows him to recognize notes, follow singers and other musicians, and learn songs quickly. His ability to listen closely and adapt in the moment remains an important part of how he performs today.
Arnie performs at weddings, cocktail hours, corporate events, private parties, birthdays, anniversaries, restaurants, senior communities, and other celebrations. His music can remain soft and conversational during dinner or cocktail hour, or become livelier and more interactive when guests are ready to make requests and join in.
He performs throughout New Jersey, New York City, and the Philadelphia region. Depending on the event, Arnie can play a venue’s piano, bring a professional digital piano setup, or coordinate additional musicians.
Arnie began his professional music career performing in restaurants and piano bars throughout the New Haven and West Haven, Connecticut area. His early venues included The Recovery Room Restaurant, Tandom’s, The Summit House, 500 Blake Street, and App’s Ristorante.
He later joined Richard Neal Productions in Hamden, Connecticut, where he worked as both a booking agent and performing musician. That experience gave him firsthand knowledge of wedding planning, event coordination, venue requirements, and working with singers and other musicians.
Those early years helped shape the performer Arnie is today: comfortable taking requests, working with different audiences, coordinating with event professionals, and choosing music that fits the room.
Arnie has performed at wedding venues, restaurants, hotels, corporate spaces, private homes, and senior communities throughout New Jersey, New York City, and the Philadelphia region. His experience includes formal wedding ceremonies, relaxed cocktail hours, restaurant piano, company celebrations, milestone parties, and recurring entertainment programs.
Because every venue is different, Arnie works with clients and event professionals to confirm the piano or keyboard setup, performance location, timing, song requests, volume, and any venue requirements before the event.
Arnie studied classical, popular, and jazz piano in the New Haven area and later near Buffalo, New York. His musical background combines formal training with the ability to play by ear and respond naturally to requests.
His repertoire includes classical selections, jazz standards, Broadway favorites, the Great American Songbook, rock, pop, and familiar songs from several generations. This range allows him to tailor the music for a formal wedding ceremony, relaxed cocktail hour, corporate reception, restaurant setting, private party, or interactive sing-along.
Planning a wedding, private party, corporate event, restaurant program, or special celebration? Contact Arnie to discuss your date, venue, music preferences, and event plans.
Call or text Arnie at (732) 995-1082, or use the availability form to send your event details.