Chicago pianist, songwriter, and producer Cesar Pino writes music with a location in mind, be it a beach, a rooftop while looking up at the sky at night, or even somewhere in the mainframe of Tron, thanks to a consistent use of electronic drums and synth bass. Donning the moniker C3zr, Pino’s project combines his background as a classically trained and jazz pianist with the electronic funk or soul of his favorite artists like Kaytranada, Daft Punk, Robert or Glasper.

Anyone could find themselves in the world Pino creates in his electronically produced but soulful debut album, Round Voyage (600 Block Records, fall 2023). But the songwriting and setting is still distinctly inspired by Chicago, set along the city’s lakefront by day and the city’s river at night.

Releasing off of formerly Chicago-based house, jazz, and soul label 600 Block Records this fall, the album takes Pino’s technical prowess and his desire to create fresh ear-worms to capture the warm feelings of love in its various forms, for companions, friends, and family.

Pino grew up with music, studying piano since age 6, and he earned a scholarship through the Chicago Piano Music Festival at NEIU and he toured throughout China with the NEIU jazz ensemble at the International Beijing Jazz Festival in 2014. Aside from his musical career, Cesar has quite the teaching career as well. He has taught in the public school system and has his own piano studio, where he teaches privately.