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Rating: Peter Cincotti grew up in Manhattan: the New York island of director Woody Allen. Remember the film of the same name? That elegant black and white and Gershwin dominating the soundtrack.
Now imagine those classic venues you only see in movies: little tables, dim lights, and a waiter to ask for the "usual." Cincotti is there, on stage just inches above the ground. With him his piano and the members of his band: Peter Finck on double bass, Kenny Washington on drums, and Scott Kreitzer on sax.
Perhaps, before starting his next piece, he will linger on some anecdote from his life. He will tell about his first approach to music: at three years old with the toy piano gifted by his grandmother. How many, how many years have passed. How many? Well, considering the fact that he is currently a second-year student at Columbia University, I would say that relatively few years have passed.
Ok, I'll stop playing with myself and your patience. The artist in question is a mere 19 years old, and in his debut CD, released by Concord Records in NY, he demonstrates that every now and then exceptions do exist. Who can argue with Phil Ramone, producer and discoverer of this young talented pianist?
Student Cincotti is already musically (and surprisingly) mature: alternating his compositions like "I Changed The Rules," "Are You The One?," "Lovers, Secrets, Lies" (whose lyrics, among other things, come from his mother's hands) with jazz "classics," he seems to want to express his vivid passion for music and his instrument.
He walks calmly and confidently among the repertoires of artists like Billie Holiday or Nat King Cole. He frequents pieces like "Fool on the Hill" by the Beatles, revisiting them in jazz style. He seems to set no limits and shows he truly has taste.
Among all, the piece "Sway" deserves particular attention, being the only choice by the record label for the CD's setlist. No coercion: the proposal of the Dean Martin song (Concord artist, not coincidentally) was enthusiastically embraced by Cincotti, who promptly worked on the score avoiding to listen to old versions of the piece ("This song was new to me [..] I wanted to try to keep it as fresh as possible").
His is precisely a fresh jazz, sometimes swinging. A real pleasure for the ears. In singing, he seems to refer to the timeless Sinatra, although his "musical honesty" almost eclipses this easy and banal comparison. Truly talented.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Sway (04:11)
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique when we sway I grow weak
I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I grow weak
I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I grow weak
I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Sway me now
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