Amazing Pianist Cili Marsall stuns London commuters with a viral boogie-woogie performance at a London Railway station

At London’s St Pancras International, Cili Marsall brought boogie-woogie to the station’s public piano. The Hungarian-born jazz pianist, vocalist and composer lives in Austria and continued the concourse performance without allowing the condition of the heavily used instrument to interfere with the session.

Marsall first studied piano at the age of six, but later made the clarinet her main focus. She earned multiple prizes in competitions held in Hungary and Serbia before returning to piano and shaping a style that incorporates jazz, stride and boogie-woogie. Her career has taken her to festivals around Europe. In 2024, she also appeared at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg as part of Joja Wendt’s New Year concert.

Beside her at St Pancras sat British pianist and YouTube creator Brendan Kavanagh, who performs under the name Dr K. Marsall began with quick passages in her right hand over a forceful, rhythmic left-hand part. Her performance drew on the boogie-woogie tradition represented by Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, both of whom have music included in her concert repertoire.

Kavanagh allowed Marsall to lead and display her abilities, offering encouragement at intervals before participating himself as the performance progressed. The encounter featured both her solo work and a spirited duet by the two pianists at the same station piano. Their easy interaction became an important part of the session.

Watch the full performance on page two