Recently 020 got to interview New York pop/jazz pianist Peter Cincotti.

Born on July 11, 1983 in New York City, Peter started tinkling the keys
of a toy piano at the age of three. While in high school, he gigged
regularly at top clubs throughout
Manhattan, studied with renowned jazz masters David Finck and James
Williams, starred in the off-Broadway hit Our Sinatra and performed at
the White House. At the 2000 Montreux Jazz Fest, he won an award for a
hard-swinging rendition of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia.” In
2001, Peter was the youngest artist ever to play the storied Oak Room
at the Algonquin Hotel. Last year, he reached #1 on the Billboard
Traditional Jazz Charts and instantly made history by becoming the
youngest solo artist to do so and now, his latest album release ‘On The
Moon’ is the follow-up to his acclaimed 2003 self-titled debut, which
adds another accomplishment to a resume that should belong to someone
twice his age.

Start of interview:

How do you think On The Moon compares with your self-titled debut album? Or is it impossible to compare the two?

I think they are two very different albums. I think there’s a lot
more variety on "On The Moon". I wanted to explore and personalize
songs from other generations and mix different genres of music
together. Also I didn’t really started writing lyrics until after my
first record, so On The Moon has the first several songs I wrote music
and lyrics to which is many ways is the core of the record.

Which tracks on the new album do you like most? Are there any that have a special significance for you?

I really liked recording Bali Hai, because it was a song I never
thought I’d do. We recorded it on our last day in the
studio, and it kind of took on its own life and traveled in such a
different direction than its original version, which kept it really
fresh and interesting.

You had a small part in Spiderman and, more recently, in Kevin Spacey’s
Beyond The Sea – would you consider pursuing an acting career at some
point? Or do you think music will always be your main priority?

As far as acting goes, it was an amazing experience for me to work with
Kevin Spacey on his film “Beyond The Sea” and maybe at some point down
the line I might want to be a part of another film. Who knows. I had
great a time doing it, but music is my priority.  In fact,
most of the “On The Moon” record was written and conceived during all
the time I had to wait around on the film set.


Do you think you are moving in a different direction now? Has your style or taste changed over the last few years?

Yes I feel like my music has changed a lot over the last few years. A
lot of change began when I started writing music and lyrics all the
time. But my style and taste has been changing ever since I started
playing music. Change it what keeps it interesting- And it moves
you forward.


Which artists or teachers would you say have had the most profound impact on you?

My favorite musical artists are the ones who have really pushed
the boundaries of music and have broken categorization. Musicians
such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and several others.


Would you ever like to write music for other artists? Are there any
artists or bands at you would particularly like to write for?

I’m interested in collaborating with many different artists, especially
ones who have a different approach to music that I do. As far as
writing goes, much of what I write now I perform, but sometimes I write
songs that I think would be better for another artist.


There has been something of a resurgence of Jazz artists in the charts
recently – for example, Michael Bublé and Jamie Cullum. Do you think we
will see more artists adopting this style in the future?

I’m not sure what we’ll see in the future. I just hope we hear good music.


What are the best and worst parts of working in the music industry?

The best part of being in the music industry is having the opportunity
to work with some of the most talented people in the world. The worst
aspect of the music industry is that fact that sometimes success
in not based on the quality of music.


When you aren’t making music, what sort of music do you like to listen to?

I listen to all kinds of music. Like many other people, it depends
what mood I’m in. I’ll go from listening to Nat King Cole to Tim
McGraw to Coldplay. And what’s interesting to me is that the more and
more I listen to very different kinds of music, the more similarities I
hear.

End of interview.

Peter can be seen playing live on the black and whites on Tuesday, 28th
June 2005 at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London.  To book tickets call the box
office on 0870 771 2000.  Tickets priced at £15 adv.