THE 25-year-old native New Yorker is sweeping into Harrogate on July 27 for the Harrogate International Festival looking no doubt, effortlessly cool channelling old fashioned Sinatra-style glamour ("I just wear what I'm comfortable in," Peter insists.)

It's a look and sound that has drawn comparisons with Jamie Cullum. The girls in the Harrogate Festival office thought that 'Blonde Buble' hit the mark: "Wow - never heard the "Blonde Buble" before! Haha!!!" Peter laughed. "That's great. Although my hair hasn't been blonde since I was 5."

Well it looks slightly sun-kissed. Peter will be singing his new Warner Bros. album, East of Angel Town, a collection of evocative songs that are often described as 'cinematic'.

"I guess people refer to that album as cinematic because maybe it paints pictures for them?" Peter explained. "I just write about what I know, and what I see, and I'm glad to hear that other people can relate to it and see their own pictures and images in the songs."

What does he hope audiences take from his music?

"I just hope they like it. I'm not trying to impart some kind of wisdom or anything, or preach to anyone about certain topics. But I do love when songs ask questions."

Cincotti was famously mentored by Harry Connick Jr – how much did he shape and influence his career?

"He was a big influence for me when I was younger and playing blues and jazz. I met him when I was 7 years old and he always used to call me up on stage when he was performing. I'll always be grateful for the endless opportunities he gave me."

Peter's own sound blends a range of musical genres.

The album tells stories woven into melodies that merge pop, rock, blues, funk and jazz with his percussive piano playing and rich vocals. He sings about the seductive world of Los Angeles and loneliness and love in New York City. How would he describe his style?

"I guess I'd describe what I do as piano based pop music. But it is hard to categorize because we do blend a lot of different styles together. I guess the best way to explain it is to come to the show!"

Would he ever be seduced to sell his soul to the manufactured pop-world?

"Well the short answer is no, but, why do 'the pop world' and 'being a musician' have to conflict?

Cincotti has a punchy, dynamic sound that somehow manages to be simultaneously classic and modern.

"As far as my writing goes, I have many different influences. To me, nobody comes close to the great old time writers– people like Kander and Ebb, and Lerner and Lowe, among so many others.

"But I also love writers like Stevie Wonder, Sting, Randy Newman, Paul Simon, Billy Joel… But for different reasons. What I write is an attempt to blend these influences and cross genre lines."

The New York Times called him "one of the most promising singer-pianists of the next generation". He's obviously loved in his home city, is there anything he misses about New York when he's on the road touring?

"The more I'm away, the more I miss New York.