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Hiromi

After a pandemic disruption, Newport Jazz Festival makes a poignant, euphoric return

Samara Joy performs at the 2022 Newport Jazz Festival, which spanned from July 29 to July 31, in Newport, R.I. Ozier Muhammad for NPR hide caption

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Ozier Muhammad for NPR

The Picture Show

After a pandemic disruption, Newport Jazz Festival makes a poignant, euphoric return

The festival's first full edition in two years — and its first since the death of co-founder George Wein — saw dynamic performances from Newport veterans alongside glowing debuts from newcomers.

Hiromi: Finding Music In The Daily Din

Hiromi's latest album is called Move. Sakiko Nomura/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sakiko Nomura/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Hiromi: Finding Music In The Daily Din

The Japanese pianist's latest album begins with a tribute to a sound she's never liked: the chime of an alarm clock.

Hiromi: Finding Music In The Daily Din

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Hiromi On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

At a young age, Hiromi says her piano teacher taught her to play "from heart to heart, not from fingers to ears." Sakiko Nomura hide caption

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Sakiko Nomura

Piano Jazz With Jon Weber

Hiromi On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

Hiromi plays stride piano with blinding speed and deadly accuracy in a session with host Jon Weber.

Hiromi On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

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Hiromi, Michel Camilo On JazzSet

Hiromi performs at Newport Jazz. Wiqan Ang hide caption

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Wiqan Ang

Concerts

Hiromi, Michel Camilo On JazzSet

WBGO

At Newport's Harbor Stage, Hiromi's stride-style left hand pumps rhythm to support the fabulous speed and articulation of her right. And on the Main Stage, the Michel Camilo Trio plays his signature arrangement of "Poinciana" and ends his set with a lively "A Night in Tunisia."

Hiromi, Michel Camilo On JazzSet

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Hiromi On Piano Jazz

Hiromi. Muga Muyahara hide caption

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Muga Muyahara

Studio Sessions

Hiromi On Piano Jazz

Hiromi Uehara is a brilliant young pianist from Japan, by way of the Berklee College of Music. Her exciting mixture of musical genres and high-energy playing are made even more thrilling by her impressive technique and complex ideas. Hear her in an interview and performance on Piano Jazz.

Hiromi On Piano Jazz

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Hiromi: A Melodic (And Headbanging) Travelogue

Hiromi, performing at NPR. John W. Poole/NPR hide caption

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John W. Poole/NPR

Music Videos

Hiromi: A Melodic (And Headbanging) Travelogue

Her new album, Place To Be, was conceived as a journal in sound. In a solo performance, the energetic jazz pianist shows how she translates street scenes to melodies, with her typical effervescence.

Hiromi: A Melodic (And Headbanging) Travelogue

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Hiromi: Pachelbel's Canon, Reinvented

Using unconventional means, pianist Hiromi Uehara turns a classical chestnut inside-out. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Review

Song Of The Day

Hiromi: Pachelbel's Canon, Reinvented

Pianists have long played Pachelbel's stately Canon, but Japanese jazz player Hiromi Uehara stands out for her treatment of this classical chestnut. While maintaining respect for its structure and charm, she still finds a way to turn the piece inside-out.

'Pachelbel's Canon' by Hiromi

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Music

Japanese Jazz Prodigy Hiromi: 'Spiral'

At just 26 years old, Hiromi is considered one of Japan's best jazz pianists and composers. Musician and Day to Day contributor David Was says her music is "part classical, part jazz and part simply unclassifiable." He reviews her third album, Spiral.

Japanese Jazz Prodigy Hiromi: 'Spiral'

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