Biography
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Born
26 March 1979 (age 45)
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Born In
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Hiromi Uehara (上原ひろみ, born 26 March 1979) is a jazz composer and pianist born in Hamamatsu, Japan. She is known for her virtuosic technique, energetic live performances and blend of musical genres such as jazz, progressive rock, classical and fusion in her compositions.
Anil Prasad on Innerviews writes: "Keyboardist and composer Hiromi Uehara's zero-compromise approach to jazz and fusion has garnered her a significant global fan base that straddles myriad demographics. Jazz-rock, straightahead jazz, and progressive rock fans of all ages relate to her diverse, engaging, and high-energy output, not to mention her exuberant stage presence. At 28, the Japanese-born, Brooklyn-based virtuoso was born well after the heydays of those genres, yet her sound is an expert distillation of those influences combined with a modern, worldly approach."
Hiromi started learning classical piano at age 6. She was introduced to jazz by her piano teacher Noriko Hakita when she was 8. At age 14, she played with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. When she was 17, she met Chick Corea in Tokyo, and was invited to play with him at his concert the very next day. After being a jingle writer for a few years for Japanese companies such as Nissan, she enrolled to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. There, she was mentored by Ahmad Jamal and had already signed with jazz label Telarc before her graduation.
Since her debut in 2003, Hiromi has toured the world and appeared in numerous jazz festivals. She appeared on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz radio program where the host, Mrs. McPartland, seemed to be impressed by Hiromi's "chops" and said "If you and I got into a competition, you would win, hands down". The program contained a version of Ellington's "Caravan" and Hiromi's original, "The Tom and Jerry Show".
Hiromi's trio initially consisted of bassist Mitch Cohn and drummer Dave DiCenso. In 2004, she recorded her second album Brain with fellow Berklee alums bassist Tony Grey and drummer Martin Valihora and has been recording and touring with them ever since.
On October 19, 2006, the group added guitarist David Fiuczynski in a performance at the Jazz Factory in Louisville KY. He is also featured in her latest album Time Control.
Official website: www.hiromimusic.com
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