Program - Peter Cincotti (Saturday, October 8, 2005 - 7:30 p.m.)
Contents
Introduction
- Peter Cincotti: Piano
- Scott Kreitzer: Tenor Sax
- Barak Mori: Bass
- Obed Calvaire: Drums
Tonight's program will be announced from the stage.
About the Artists
Peter Cincotti, the 22-year-old singer, pianist, composer and arranger, became one of the hottest pop and jazz sensations to hit the scene in 2003, when his self-titled, critically acclaimed debut CD hit the top of the Billboard charts. In September 2004, Concord Records released Peter's second CD On The Moon, which debuted at #2 on Billboard's Jazz Charts. On The Moon showcases Cincotti's contemporary, unique and undeniably infectious twist on such classic pop and jazz standards as "I Love Paris," "St. Louis Blues" and "Some Kind of Wonderful," as well as his own originals, including "On The Moon" and "I'd Rather Be With You." Critics across the country gave the album rave reviews; USA Today declared Peter "a prodigiously gifted pianist and an interpretive singer of considerable charm."
The release of On The Moon was followed up with a tour around the world from two sold out shows at New York's Rose Hall to London's Royal Festival Hall to the esteemed Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Cincotti has sold out the 2500 seat Grand Rex in Paris, and received his first gold record in France. Peter has performed at festivals, clubs and concert halls throughout Europe, and his talent and ability to captivate an audience has been recognized in places as far away as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Peter started tinkering with a toy piano his grandmother gave him at an early age. By the age of nine he was composing and in his mid-teens, took up singing. Peter soon became a quadruple threat: pianist, singer, composer and arranger. While still in high school, Peter played in jazz clubs throughout Manhattan, participated in the National Grammy Band, was honored in the John Lennon Songwriting and was invited to perform at the White House. He also won a coveted award at the Montreux 2000 Jazz Festival in Switzerland for his piano rendition of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia."
Cincotti has even made an impression on Hollywood. Peter had a featured role in the Lions Gate film Beyond The Sea, directed by and starring Kevin Spacey. After seeing Peter perform in London, Kevin asked him to play the part of Dick Berhke, Darin's best friend and musical director.
Peter's good looks caught the eye of men's fashion powerhouse, Ermenegildo Zegna, which chose him to be the new face for their suit collection in 2005/2006. Peter joins actor Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien) and footballer Alberto Gilardino (Italy's Team Parma) for the Spring/Summer/Fall 2005 and Winter 2006 campaigns.
Despite such critical accolades and worldwide media exposure, Peter humbly sums up his dizzy rise: "I'm so grateful that I am able to play for people who want to listen. There is so much to learn, and there's so much I want to do, and I can only hope I have the opportunity to do it all."
Scott Kreitzer (Tenor Sax) grew up in Sunny, Florida and studied music at the University of Miami. He befriended jazz legend Ira Sullivan and eventually joined Ira's band at 17 years of age. He moved to New York at 19 and transferred to William Paterson College where he met Rufus Reid, Dave Samuels, Joe Lovano and the young Bill Stewart. Scott did a record called Kick'Off quickly after receiving a grant to study with Eddie Daniels. He has added two more records to his discography as a solo artist and has performed with numerous artists such as, Blood Sweat and Tears, Billy Joel, Manhattan Transfer, David Lee Roth, Rod Stewart, Olivia Newton John and many others. For more information, visit scottkreitzer.com.
Barak Mori (Bass, Composer) is quickly becoming one of the New York jazz scene's most sought after musicians. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1975, Mori began playing the organ at age seven, and by the age of 13 he was playing jazz on the guitar and electric bass. At age 15, in addition to his jazz studies, Mori began his classical training on the acoustic bass. By the time Mori had graduated from the Thelma Yelin School of the Arts he had already played professionally at the world renowned Red Sea Jazz Festival, and toured internationally with the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1996, Mori joined Israel's most prestigious jazz band led by saxophonist Walter Blanding, Jr. In 1998, he received a scholarship to study at the New School University. Residing in New York for the past seven years, Mori has performed and recorded alongside many distinguished artists such as Benny Green, Peter Bernstein, Eric Reed, Paula West, Kenny Washington, David Hazeltine and Jim Rotondi. Mori has been playing with Peter Cincotti since 2003 and can be heard on Peter's CD On The Moon.
Obed Calvaire (Drums), a native of Miami, is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts, a public high school in Miami-Dade County designed for artistically talented students. Mr. Calvaire was a candidate for a master of music degree in jazz drum set at Manhattan School of Music and has recently graduated in May 2005. He received his bachelor's degree from Manhattan School of Music in 2003, completing the undergraduate degree requirements in three years. He is in the studio of John Riley. Mr. Calvaire has performed with major jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Danilo Perez, Bobby Watson, Mark Murphy, Stefon Harris, Josh Roseman, Eric Reed, Buster Williams and the Clayton Brothers Quintet. He has also performed with large ensembles such as the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band and the Bob Mintzer Big Band. From 2002-04, Mr. Calvaire was a member of the Steve Turre Sextet. Performing with Lizz Wright, he has participated in major jazz festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival at The Hague, the Vitoria Jazz Festival in Spain and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
© 2003-2005
The University of Iowa Center for Macular Degeneration
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