Interview by Solo Piano artist James Lazzeroni
Finding Peace in the Keys: An Intimate Conversation with Solo Pianist James
For solo artists, the stage can be both a sanctuary and a test of pure courage. Strip away the roaring wall of sound of a full band, and you are left with nothing but an instrument, a melody, and an unfiltered connection to the listener. It is a demanding path, but for contemporary pianist James, it is the only one that truly brings harmony to his life and art.
In this exclusive interview, James pulls back the curtain on his creative universe. Inspired by the legendary Jim Brickman to explore the magical boundaries of a single instrument, he has built a signature sound rooted in unforgettable, accessible melodies and cinematic storytelling. From the lively friction of his early band years to the quiet sanctuary of his living room Kawai grand piano, James opens up about the architecture of his arrangements, the profound role his faith plays in shaping his art, and how the vibrant, romantic energy of New York City fuels his imagination.
Dive into the mind of a composer of solo piano music who transforms silence into emotion, one note at a time.
For solo artists, the stage can be both a sanctuary and a test of pure courage. Strip away the roaring wall of sound of a full band, and you are left with nothing but an instrument, a melody, and an unfiltered connection to the listener. It is a demanding path, but for contemporary pianist James, it is the only one that truly brings harmony to his life and art.
In this exclusive interview, James pulls back the curtain on his creative universe. Inspired by the legendary Jim Brickman to explore the magical boundaries of a single instrument, he has built a signature sound rooted in unforgettable, accessible melodies and cinematic storytelling. From the lively friction of his early band years to the quiet sanctuary of his living room Kawai grand piano, James opens up about the architecture of his arrangements, the profound role his faith plays in shaping his art, and how the vibrant, romantic energy of New York City fuels his imagination.
Dive into the mind of a composer of solo piano music who transforms silence into emotion, one note at a time.
🎹 The Soul Behind the Keys: An Exclusive Interview with James
Q: James, let’s start with your roots. Who are the artists or masters that lit the spark and inspired you to take this path?
A: To be completely honest, I doubt the idea of writing for solo piano would have ever occurred to me were it not for being introduced to Jim Brickman’s music. He was the one who showed me the way and made me realize how much magic could be captured by a single instrument.
Q: Many pianists deeply love your songs. How did the form and structure of traditional solo piano music influence the harmonies and architecture of your arrangements?
A: One of the reasons I think piano players enjoy my songs is that they are structured simply—they are accessible and easy to play. Every one of my compositions follows a clear verse/chorus/bridge pattern. For me, it’s all about the melody. The melodies have to be incredibly memorable and instantly recognizable. When arranging a piece, the melody must remain the guiding light. You can deviate a little and take some creative liberties, but the core substance of the arrangement really needs to hang on that main theme.
Q: Choosing to play solo is both an intimate and courageous decision. Why did you choose the solo piano path over the collaborative energy of a band?
A: Ultimately, it is because as a solo pianist, I have complete control over my output. I don’t have to rely on anyone else to do their part. Back in college, I played in a few pop bands. Nothing major came of those years—aside from some great, lifelong friendships!—but I did discover the friction of collaborating. There are always clashes of opinion and personality. Musicians are generally very sensitive people; we are emotionally tied up in what we create musically. During my "band years," I really struggled with that volatility. I didn't want my musical success to depend on other people. Composing for solo piano brought me peace. There is less angst, and the only person I have to worry about playing perfectly is myself. Plus, practically speaking, it’s much easier and far less expensive to record a quality solo piano album than it is to record a multi-instrument project with conflicting personalities.
Q: When listening to your albums, we can feel a powerful narrative thread. How do you approach your tracklists and decide the grouping of your songs?
A: Generally speaking, I am telling a story with the music—not just through individual songs, but with the album as a whole. An apt description for my music might be "film music" for solo piano. Every song tells a story. The overall scope of the narrative I want to share over the course of the album determines the order of the songs. Of course, technical elements like key signatures and the general "mood" play a big part too, but it is all designed to guide the listener through an emotional journey.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration? Is there a physical space you retreat to, a photograph you look at, or do you rely purely on imagination?
A: It is all in my head and in my heart. I compose the music on my Kawai grand piano right in my living room. Most of my songs come to life through pure improvisation—just playing around on the keys until an interesting chord progression or a melodic riff catches my ear. From there, I develop it, crafting the melody and nurturing the mood until a structure begins to take shape. Once I see where the piece is going, I embellish it, smooth it out, and before long, it has form, substance, a beginning, and an end. However, I also arrange in my head when I'm out and about, and especially right before I go to sleep. I hear the tunes in my mind, work on them, and then bring those fresh ideas to the piano the next day.
Q: There is an invisible but deeply powerful element vibrating through your music: your faith. What role does it play in your life and art?
A: Everything I do in my music is a direct expression of my faith. I believe God has given me specific gifts—music, yes, but also the gifts of communication and creativity. Since I believe God designed me specifically for this purpose, applying myself to it brings me immense joy and love. It’s that joy that keeps me going. Admittedly, being content in all situations, good and bad, is not easy. It takes a proactive choice to re-wire my mind for positivity and purpose through life's difficult moments. But the longer I live, the more I look back and see how God used every single experience to bring me to where I am today. Seeing that strengthens my faith and gives me the power to keep moving forward. Each day we have is a beautiful gift.
Q: To close on a colorful note, your love for New York is well known. Where does that deep connection come from?
A: I truly love New York. It is incredibly dynamic and constantly moving—that is a city where you feel anything is possible. Plus, I was born a romantic. What could possibly be more romantic than Central Park in the autumn, or dressed up for Christmas under a fresh blanket of snow?
Q: James, let’s start with your roots. Who are the artists or masters that lit the spark and inspired you to take this path?
A: To be completely honest, I doubt the idea of writing for solo piano would have ever occurred to me were it not for being introduced to Jim Brickman’s music. He was the one who showed me the way and made me realize how much magic could be captured by a single instrument.
Q: Many pianists deeply love your songs. How did the form and structure of traditional solo piano music influence the harmonies and architecture of your arrangements?
A: One of the reasons I think piano players enjoy my songs is that they are structured simply—they are accessible and easy to play. Every one of my compositions follows a clear verse/chorus/bridge pattern. For me, it’s all about the melody. The melodies have to be incredibly memorable and instantly recognizable. When arranging a piece, the melody must remain the guiding light. You can deviate a little and take some creative liberties, but the core substance of the arrangement really needs to hang on that main theme.
Q: Choosing to play solo is both an intimate and courageous decision. Why did you choose the solo piano path over the collaborative energy of a band?
A: Ultimately, it is because as a solo pianist, I have complete control over my output. I don’t have to rely on anyone else to do their part. Back in college, I played in a few pop bands. Nothing major came of those years—aside from some great, lifelong friendships!—but I did discover the friction of collaborating. There are always clashes of opinion and personality. Musicians are generally very sensitive people; we are emotionally tied up in what we create musically. During my "band years," I really struggled with that volatility. I didn't want my musical success to depend on other people. Composing for solo piano brought me peace. There is less angst, and the only person I have to worry about playing perfectly is myself. Plus, practically speaking, it’s much easier and far less expensive to record a quality solo piano album than it is to record a multi-instrument project with conflicting personalities.
Q: When listening to your albums, we can feel a powerful narrative thread. How do you approach your tracklists and decide the grouping of your songs?
A: Generally speaking, I am telling a story with the music—not just through individual songs, but with the album as a whole. An apt description for my music might be "film music" for solo piano. Every song tells a story. The overall scope of the narrative I want to share over the course of the album determines the order of the songs. Of course, technical elements like key signatures and the general "mood" play a big part too, but it is all designed to guide the listener through an emotional journey.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration? Is there a physical space you retreat to, a photograph you look at, or do you rely purely on imagination?
A: It is all in my head and in my heart. I compose the music on my Kawai grand piano right in my living room. Most of my songs come to life through pure improvisation—just playing around on the keys until an interesting chord progression or a melodic riff catches my ear. From there, I develop it, crafting the melody and nurturing the mood until a structure begins to take shape. Once I see where the piece is going, I embellish it, smooth it out, and before long, it has form, substance, a beginning, and an end. However, I also arrange in my head when I'm out and about, and especially right before I go to sleep. I hear the tunes in my mind, work on them, and then bring those fresh ideas to the piano the next day.
Q: There is an invisible but deeply powerful element vibrating through your music: your faith. What role does it play in your life and art?
A: Everything I do in my music is a direct expression of my faith. I believe God has given me specific gifts—music, yes, but also the gifts of communication and creativity. Since I believe God designed me specifically for this purpose, applying myself to it brings me immense joy and love. It’s that joy that keeps me going. Admittedly, being content in all situations, good and bad, is not easy. It takes a proactive choice to re-wire my mind for positivity and purpose through life's difficult moments. But the longer I live, the more I look back and see how God used every single experience to bring me to where I am today. Seeing that strengthens my faith and gives me the power to keep moving forward. Each day we have is a beautiful gift.
Q: To close on a colorful note, your love for New York is well known. Where does that deep connection come from?
A: I truly love New York. It is incredibly dynamic and constantly moving—that is a city where you feel anything is possible. Plus, I was born a romantic. What could possibly be more romantic than Central Park in the autumn, or dressed up for Christmas under a fresh blanket of snow?
Interview by Mike Graph - Sunrise Magazine
James Lazzeroni is currently available for free interviews with blogs, newspapers, press outlets, journalists and magazines to share insights about their piano music and artistic journey. Media outlets interested in a feature can get in touch via email at jameslazzeroni@gmail.com
