Peter Cincotti
(Concord Records — CCD-2159-2)
Editor
It would be easy to dismiss Peter Cincotti as a Harry Connick, Jr. clone — after all, he's a good-looking young guy who's killer on the piano and who sings the old songs ... heck, he even is a protegé of Connick's — but one listen to his debut and you know he's got the voice and chops to justify the rave reviews.
The Columbia University sophomore, who two years ago became the youngest performer ever to play the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel in New York, starts his album with an original, "I Changed the Rules", and follows it with eleven standards and pop tunes.
The quartet on the CD included bassist David Finck, drummer Kenny Washington and tenor saxophonist Scott Kreitzer. Under the guidance of legendary producer Phil Ramone, the group recorded together all at once, and the best takes of each tune were chosen.
Cincotti's medley of "Fool On the Hill" and "Nature Boy" is a highlight; he intersperses instrumental passages of the former with vocals on the latter. His solo stride piano take on Blood, Sweat, and Tears' "Spinning Wheel" is the CD's lone instrumental track. I also liked the Latin-tinged "Sway" and the swinging "Miss Brown."
At just 19, Cincotti can appeal to three generations of listeners. With another forty or more years ahead of him, the sky's the limit on his talent and his career. 
