Alumni Spotlight: Roberta Piket '88
The daughter of a European composer and a Great American Songbook singer, native New Yorker Roberta Piket is a pianist and organist who loves to swing while exploring the more adventurous harmonic possibilities of jazz and improvised music.
Roberta’s wide ranging abilities and interests are reflected in the roster of musicians with whom she has appeared professionally as a sidewoman: David Liebman, Lionel Hampton, Mickey Roker, Eliot Zigmund, Benny Golson, Ted Curson, Valery Ponomarev, Juini Booth, Billy Mintz, Jeannie Bryson, Urszula Dudziak, Frank London, Leo Johnson, Virginia Mayhew, Victor Jones, Rufus Reid, and Broadway/television legend Ben Vereen.
Roberta is a winner of the Downbeat Critics Poll in the “Rising Star – Organ” category, and placed in the top 20 in the “Rising Star – Piano” category. In the 2018 Downbeat Readers’ Poll, Roberta came in 8th in the Jazz Artist category (just behind luminaries Pat Metheny and Tony Bennett), 7th in the Piano category (following the legendary Keith Jarrett) and 5th in the Organ category.
Roberta’s trios have toured Japan, Spain and the U.S. She has performed at the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), at the Earshot Festival (Seattle), thrice at the Rochester (NY) Jazz Festival, and in New York at Small’s, Mezzrow’s, the Blue Note, Birdland, and Dizzy’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center. She also appeared on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR three times.
Roberta often performs on Hammond B3 organ in New York, and leads her piano trio and quintet at New York jazz landmarks Small's and Mezzrow's. She is an award-winning composer who also sings.
Why did you choose NEC?
I wanted to receive a quality musical education while still pursuing liberal arts, which I did as part of the (now-defunct) 5-year double degree program with Tufts.
What have you been up to since graduating from NEC? What projects have you been working on? Do you have any goals you are looking to accomplish?
In the last few years I've focused on solo piano, which is a great challenge for a jazz pianist, and on writing and performing original music with my quintet. I also regularly perform standards and originals with my trio. I've also been playing Hammond B3 organ, which has become a great love of mine since I acquired a B3 about a year ago.
I was recently in Europe for three weeks performing in Spain, the Netherlands and Luxembourg with various musicians. It was very rewarding.
Additionally, I enjoy playing as a side musician with a wide range of bands ranging from straight-ahead jazz to free music and everything in between.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at NEC?
Playing music with musicians who were more advanced than me and going to the 99-cent felafel place.
Share a story about one of your favorite faculty or studio instructors.
Shortly before I graduated, John McNeil gave me a lesson. He gave me some great advice on working on my time, and he didn't charge me. I always thought that was such a generous gesture and will always be very grateful.
How have your NEC experiences shaped your artistic approach?
I was exposed to a lot of different music at NEC, from traditional Western classical music to jazz and beyond. This eclectic mix is very enriching for a young artist.
Do you have any advice for young musicians/current NEC students?
Focus on the music and build relationships with musicians and artists you want to work with. Don't let fear get in your way.
Learn More About Roberta:
Current Job: Jazz Pianist and Organist / Business Owner
Degree: Bachelor of Music
Class Year: 1988
Instrument: Piano
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