Biography
Hiromi Uehara, known professionally as Hiromi, was born on March 26, 1979, in Shizuoka, Japan. She began piano lessons at age six, quickly advancing through the Yamaha School of Music, where she discovered jazz. By age 14, she performed with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and at 17, she shared an impromptu duet with Chick Corea in Tokyo. In 1999, she moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music, graduating after being mentored by jazz legends like Ahmad Jamal.
Hiromi's career took off with her 2003 debut album Another Mind, co-produced with Ahmad Jamal, earning Japan's Jazz Album of the Year. She formed her trio with bassist Tony Grey and drummer Martin Valihora for albums like Brain (2004) and Spiral (2006). In 2006, she created Hiromi's Sonicbloom by adding guitarist David Fiuczynski, releasing Time Control (2007) and Beyond Standard (2008). Her style fuses jazz with progressive rock, classical, and fusion, marked by virtuosic technique and high-energy performances. Later projects include The Trio Project with Anthony Jackson and Simon Phillips (Voice 2011, Move 2013, Spark 2016) and Sonicwonder quartet for Sonicwonderland (2023).
Hiromi's legacy includes awards like the 2006 Boston Music Awards Best Jazz Act, Swing Journal honors, and a 2011 Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album with Stanley Clarke Band. She continues innovating, blending genres and collaborating dynamically, captivating global audiences with her emotive, boundary-pushing compositions.
Fun Facts
- At age 17, Hiromi performed an impromptu duet with Chick Corea in Tokyo after he heard her playing in a hotel lobby, marking a pivotal early career moment.
- She won Jazzman of the Year, Pianist of the Year, and Album of the Year in Swing Journal Japan's Readers Poll for Spiral (2006), alongside Boston Music Awards Best Jazz Act.
- Hiromi approaches band assembly like casting a film, selecting musicians to complement her vision, such as adding David Fiuczynski for prog-rock flair in Sonicbloom.
- Her debut Another Mind (2003) balanced subtlety and hard-hitting emotions, fusing jazz with classical, rock, and avant-garde elements, earning Japan Gold Disc Awards.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Ahmad Jamal - Piano teacher and mentor at Berklee College of Music (Co-produced debut album Another Mind (2003)) [1999-2003]
- Chick Corea - Jazz legend who invited her to perform duets and influenced her early career (Impromptu duet in Tokyo (1996), shared stage performances) [1996-2009]
- Oscar Peterson - Mentor and stylistic influence (General influence on jazz piano approach) [Pre-Berklee]
Key Collaborators
- Tony Grey - Core bassist in early trio and Sonicbloom (Brain (2004), Spiral (2006), Time Control (2007), Beyond Standard (2008)) [2004-2008]
- Martin Valihora - Core drummer in early trio and Sonicbloom (Brain (2004), Spiral (2006), Time Control (2007), Beyond Standard (2008)) [2004-2008]
- David Fiuczynski - Guitarist added to form Hiromi's Sonicbloom (Time Control (2007), Beyond Standard (2008), Live in Concert DVD (2007)) [2006-2008]
- Anthony Jackson - Contra-bass guitarist in The Trio Project (Voice (2011), Move (2013), Spark (2016)) [2011-2016]
- Simon Phillips - Drummer in The Trio Project (Voice (2011), Move (2013), Spark (2016)) [2011-2016]
- Stanley Clarke - Band member in Grammy-winning project (Stanley Clarke Band's Jazz Garden (2011 Grammy winner))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Hiromi's Sonicwonder has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.