Pinchik was born Pinchas Sigal in Novozhyvotiv, Vinnytsia Oblast, then part of the Russian Empire.
[2] He was asked to compose revolutionary songs in Yiddish, which he did based on his knowledge of traditional folk and religious modes and melodies.
[2] He subsequently toured the Soviet Union giving concerts of Yiddish folk songs, and it was during this time that he adopted the stage name Pierre Pinchik.
[5] During his tenure there he was asked to perform Nineteenth-century compositions from the German synagogue tradition, which he felt did not match his tastes or singing style.
[2] He performed in various European cities before travelling to the United States in 1926 on a tour arranged by Joseph Hyman, who apparently heard about Pinchik from Fyodor Chaliapin.
As well, on a musical level, the originality of his cantorial compositions made quite an impression on the American scene, inspiring a number of imitators.