Nineteen year-old Conun Pappas began playing piano out of sheer curiosity. Now, as part of the Bridge Trio, he'll back up Donald Harrison when Harrison plays the Jazz Tent.

At an early age he realized he could pick out the piano parts in songs while listening to his grandmother's old records. He was also fascinated by his Aunt Donna's piano, which she always kept locked--except for one day.

"My cousin dropped a bead in the piano, and my aunt opened it up to get it out and she let us pla...