Pianist, singer- songwriter, and composer Cestari creates a world that melds the sounds of jazz, pop, and free improvisation. With his fiery pianism, rich voice, and sensitive lyricism, Cestari reimagines stories in ways that are evocative, captivating, and impactful.
With his most recent release “WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT,” Cestari explores the world of nightlife and the addictive cycle it brings to its inhabitants through a two-part jazz-pop epic. Partnering with renowned NYC-based venue Don’t Tell Mama, a release concert was held that incorporated a unique drink special curated by Cestari, as well as original poetry. This is only the start, however, as Cestari continues to grow as one of the most dynamic voices among rising artists.
Photographer: Natalia Kempthorne-Curiel
Ethnicity: Korean-Italian-English-Indian
Location: New York, USA (NY)
Instagram: @cestari___
Website: www.cestariofficial.com
GET TO KNOW - completed December 2024
3 words to describe you:
Reader, simple, foodie
Describe your sound:
My sound is pop music informed by the idioms and emotional volatility of jazz and free improvisation. I dig deep into poetic lyrics and piercing piano playing to create a unique soundscape that also paints pictures of relatable stories.
Describe the moment you knew that you wanted to pursue music:
I went to see Kamasi Washington at Asbury Hall in Buffalo, NY. In the last song the family in front of me started speaking in tongues. I'm not religious, but the ability to provide those experiences to people is one I've since then worked endlessly to achieve.
How does your heritage impact your art?
It honestly doesn't. Growing up mixed, I accepted that it would be impossible to fully accept all of my backgrounds and commit to the practices all of them entail. Additionally, growing up in America, my mother born and raised American and my father spending his teenage years in the states, I've adopted American culture more than any of my "real" heritage. With that being said, American music has had a tremendous impact on me. Jazz, hip hop, and modern pop laid the foundations for who I am as an artist, and inspired me to pursue this pathway as a creative.
What moment are you most proud of in your music journey so far?
This most recent single, "WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT", I've had the chords and story in my head for six years but couldn't come up with anything until last year. That process of finishing the song was one of the most satisfying experiences I've had in my musical career. Exploring the story, building the world with lyrics, and bringing in all of my close collaborators to bring all to life was all incredibly exciting.
Your next music/career goal:
Record an album this spring and tour in 2025!
If you could collaborate with anyone, who and why?
Laufey. Although we have different sounds we come from the same branch of music. I feel as though we'd have a lot of fun exploring way of combining elements of our sounds into a song.
Lyrics you live by:
See the cage, it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself up this way again
Nor lay my face to the soil, nor my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself this way again.
- Song For Zula (Phosphorescent)
3 songs you're listening to right now:
Chihiro - Billie Eilish
You, Me, and A Million Trees - Teis Semey
Vermillion Part II - Slipknot
Anything else you'd like to share:
You can find more info on me through my website (linked above)
