Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

I am having a recurring problem on a project I need to finish ASAP.  I
have a piano part recorded in audio.  I get an audio artifact playing
just *before* the piano audio region.  In other words, just before the
piano region plays (about 1 beat before), I hear the piano part play
for an instant (there is nothing in the track before the region).  I
have used the erase tool to erase anything that Logic may perceive to
be in front of the region.  This removes the artifact for one
playback.  After that, it returns.

Other things I have tried:  (1) automate the volume so that volume is
zero just until the audio region starts, (2) replace the audio with a
copy.  Nothing works.  Any ideas?  

Thanks,
Dave