From Microsoft to Live Percussion: The Story of Peejay Vincent, Pioneer of Music Shows in Romania

Peejay Vincent shares how he left Microsoft for music, becoming a pioneer of live percussion shows at private events and weddings in Romania.

Peejay Vincent, percussionist artist and music producer, is the most authentic artist in Romania in the entertainment field (private events, clubbing, and corporate).

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence that would spark curiosity in those who don’t know you yet?
Peejay Vincent: I’m a complex and simple person, in the sense that I have a simplicity in the way I see things that even surprises me.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Peejay Vincent: The key moments were when I worked as a support engineer at Microsoft for major companies, and at the same time, I was a percussionist in a club in Bucharest on weekends. I realized that music and the joy of making people feel good while performing made me feel even better.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Peejay Vincent: The most difficult and, at the same time, easiest moment was when I left my job as a support engineer at Microsoft to pursue music. After leaving Microsoft, I went through a year and a half during which my family’s income collapsed. Luckily, my wife supported my decision and took care of us financially and emotionally. After that period—which I saw as a time of testing and which I passed successfully—things started working again.

C&B: Has there been a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Peejay Vincent: Yes, my dream has always been to be a free man in what I do, and the ambition that has guided and still guides me is that nothing is impossible.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed over time?
Peejay Vincent: Like any beginning in any field—you have to persist, to learn, to observe, and to collect what is good for you, because people are not the same even if they do the same thing in the same field. I was lucky to have connections through friends with good people who helped me rise and become who I am today.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Peejay Vincent: That I’m a soulful person and, above all, a hardworking professional.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Peejay Vincent: I accepted the challenge to play club music at weddings and christenings—something that changed the way weddings are done today. A combination of traditional music for the older guests and club music for the younger ones, so everyone is happy at the wedding. I’m glad that I’m among the first, or probably even the first, who opened the door for this kind of wedding.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or the way you make decisions? Was it a natural or learned process?
Peejay Vincent: Building a career, no matter the field, takes time, a lot of work, sacrifices, and determination. For me, it was also a very natural process—I’ve learned a lot.

C&B: What do you think sets your business or your professional approach apart from the rest of the industry?
Peejay Vincent: With me, a promise made to a client is always kept. I’ve never promised anything I couldn’t do or deliver. I care a lot about professionalism and mutual respect. Moreover, the way I deliver my service is completely different. That’s why, after each performance, I’m 100% sure that at least two new clients will follow.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Peejay Vincent: A typical day starts with waking up around 9 a.m., 11 or 12 sometimes, depending on what I had going on the day before. I sometimes work from home, mow the lawn if needed, cook when my wife is very busy with work. Usually, I cook at home. Later in the afternoon or evening, I go to the studio to produce music with other artists from the city. I also post on social media from time to time.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Peejay Vincent: My values and principles are: you are unique, be professional, always be respectful to those you work with and who respect you, and last but not least, be smart.

C&B: How did the idea of starting this business come to you, and how did you choose its name?
Peejay Vincent: My stage name, Peejay Vincent, simply came from the fact that I worked a lot with DJs (Deejays), and I thought Percussion Jocker would go well, similar to DJ – Disk Jocker. The idea to start this business came from the lack of this kind of percussion show in Romanian clubs. I am the first percussionist artist who started this kind of show in Romania, a few years ago.

C&B: If you were to send a message to the people who follow your example, what would it be?
Peejay Vincent: If you truly want it—if you feel that this is what you want to do in life—you’ll need a lot of work and seriousness. Don’t do it just because you see all kinds of videos on social media; otherwise, the end result will be a burden and a waste of time.

Peejay Vincent’s story reminds us that true calling always finds its way. The courage to follow your passion can transform a life—and a career.