As a lifetime professional piano player, I am blown away at her technique and creativity. She puts soooo much into her music and obviously has a lot of fun. I have sen her live (and met her) and can tell you that she is also very capable of playing a ballad with equal amounts of emotion. God love her - she is GREAT!
I believe she has taken technique as close to perfection as any human ever has to date. I mean I don't want to see anyone who has better technique than this. Hiromi mixes her technique with such emotion when she plays. Technique minus the human emotion is nothing. She's got it all!
People complain she's not a true jazz artist because of her technique.. The point is, she brings so much energy and happiness to her shows. I saw her last night in Detroit and she had the entire crowd so into her playing - she spoke a little bit and told stories on what each song was for, such as where she's from, her family, etc. She's fun to watch and she makes everyone laugh hard when talking about stuff..not many people can do all that in a solo piano show.
j'adore trop ce feeling sans retnu de cette pianiste. J'ai enfin un ecxellent exemple de l'art de l'improvisation en jazz que je n'attendais plus. Elle est belle, elle a du goût, elle est expressive, la scène et le piano lui vont à merveille. Son grain de folie lui donne de la personnalité et son minois me charme tant, enfin elle a tout....
Hiromi is incredibly talented and has sooo much feeling! She has the most beautiful smile too. I could watch her play for hours and hours and be mesmerized the whole time. I just love her!
I would hope to never have to meet those that give this performance a thumb down. Really, a thumb down for this? I wonder if those people ever played a note on the piano, because they must have no clue how incredibly difficult and may I say, near impossible it is to play like this. You may not like this arrangement, or the style of music, but at least you should be man or women enough to acknowledge her unbelievable technique, musical humor, and energy this young woman displays in her interpretation of an already beaten to death Gershwin classic that she so amazingly brings to life again. She makes Oscar Peterson smile beams in heaven. And by the way, Oscar Peterson was blown away by her and even invited her to his house letting her play on his Bösendorfer piano. Bravo!
Most of Hiromi's musical criticism comes from other musicians and especially other pianists. Not, because they are especially jealous of her chops or technique, but more because of how she uses the music. Hiromi is a phenomenal pianist, but she is more of an impressive performer than an expressive artist. She is constantly showing off to her audiences by proving how fast and complicated she can play, rarely exploring the expressive and emotional aspects of composition and music. Other jazz pianists view her more as a performance act than as a musical artist. It is not uncommon for her audiences to leave her concerts feeling beat up, because her energy level in both her solo and ensemble work begins at full throttle and never ends until the show is over. I've studied Hiromi and her playing for several years, met her many times after her concerts and discussed pianism, music, and performance with her. I have respect and admiration for her and for her success, but I, like so many other Jazz pianists, do not find myself wanting to learn much from her, because her range of composition and emotional expression is very limited at this time. I do look forward to hearing her play when she reaches middle age. By that time, the hormone-fueled vinegar of youth has usually fermented into a far more drinkable wine.
@@jennifer86010 Very well put. She is a virtuoso, but she is also incredibly musical. Chick Corea was a big fan of hers, which should make everyone listen up, and had some noteworthy duo appearances with her. In the end, everything is a matter of personal preference. In my comment I just wanted to call out all these small minded - secretly callous - people who can't see beyond her brilliant virtuosity. I agree with you, like a good wine it may take a few more years until she finds the perfect balance between musical expression and technical brilliance. A musical journey to watch.
@@musictrainingonline Thank you Thomas. As a Jazz pianist over many decades, I have learned to study as many pianists as possible, meeting, working with and studying under many great, even legendary pianists. All have different traits, strengths and styles. I've never tried to copy any of them, but rather incorporate parts of them which help enrich my own originality. For awhile, Hiromi was a clone of Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea. Eventually, she found her own voice and style, while still continuing to pay tribute to both of these great pianists. I had the chance to meet and talk with Oscar while he was still performing, but after his bouts with strokes. He still played better than most, even at his advanced age. He signed my very first Jazz Album... Oscar Peterson The Trio, recorded in Chicago. Chick was a phenomenal player and a phenomenal person. With his truckload of Grammy Awards and his worldwide recognition, he was as down-to-earth and as humble as a beginning piano student. He incorporated learning, teaching, sing-alongs, and experimental fun with many of his audiences, and while taking the music seriously, he didn't take himself too seriously. He always tried to have fun with performing while drawing the audience into the musicians and the music. Many of Chick's concerts were more like casual master classes, but at a layman's level of technical understanding and involvement for the benefit of the general audience. I had the chance to play with Chick several times in music clinics and other venues, and he was as nice and as generous and giving as any musician could ever be. A sharp contrast to many big name Jazz legends who were often cool, aloof, and unapproachable. Once, after one of Chick's concerts at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, California (seats 300 people) a group of us piano players were talking outside the club after the performance. A lone character slowly strolled up behind us and stood there listening to our conversation for a couple of minutes. We ignored him, thinking he was another audience member leaving the club, on the way to his car. Then one of us glanced over his shoulder and noticed that this attentive stranger was actually the star of the show, Chick Corea, all alone, carrying his backpack, walking back to the hotel after the gig. He was interested in what we were saying about the gig and the music. He joined us and we continued discussing music, piano playing, performing and life, as if he was just one of us, no big deal. No ego, no "Mr. Big Shot", no "Big Star" attitude. Just a real genuine, thoughtful, sincere great guy who loves music and people. Hiromi was also very thoughtful about dealing with fans after her performances, partially because she continued the Japanese tradition of politeness, but also because she was interested in others who were musicians and especially pianists. Once, after one of her concerts, she asked me if I was that person sitting in the front row, nearly under the right leg of the piano, who was rapidly writing down notes as she played? I replied, "Yes, I'm the guilty party." She asked why I would be taking notes at a concert? I said, "Well, since we were not allowed to make recordings or take photos during the performance, I had to use paper and pencil if I was to remember many of the things I was learning from you, so I wrote down as much as I could about your playing during your performance, and sitting as close to the keyboard as possible, allowed me to clearly see what your hands were doing." That started some long conversations between us, and led to a familiar musical relationship over the years. I've had the opportunity to shake the hands of many of the world's most accomplished virtuoso pianists in Jazz as well as Classical music. All hands are different, from the dainty small refined hands of Hiromi, or Yuja Wang, to the rather large and rough hands of Martha Argerich, to Oscar's large hands, or the graceful hands of Marc Andre Hamelin. What I discovered, after decades of playing and studying so many pianists, is the fact that it is actually not the hands that are important in playing piano, since tiny hands, large hands, skinny, fat, bony, young, old hands are all capable of playing. In fact, it is the mind and the heart which actually play the piano. The hands are simply the link between the musician and the instrument, and regardless of hand size or capability, pianists find ways to play the notes despite any finger or hand limitations. Fortunately, for Jazz, there are many young up-and-coming brilliant artists like Eldar Djangirov, Taylor Eigsti, Fred Wilbow, and many others who have absorbed the styles and influences of Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans. They are now developing their own styles, and because of the emergence of so many legitimate Jazz Schools and college music departments which offer Jazz Performance, these young musicians are top notch. In addition to their legitimate extensive musical schooling, they have also learned on gigs, and from one-on-one lessons from other older experienced musicians. Both the "school and the street" have given these younger players a huge advantage, especially in developing the art form and advancing the entire culture of Jazz. I keep learning, and as time marches on, the more I learn, the more I discover what I didn't know....but thought I new when I was younger. Keep listening to America's Original Art Form....It belongs to the world, but only a small few are able to realize and appreciate the beauty, the wonder, and the magic which is Jazz.
Well music training line I absolutely love this arrangement of I got rhythm I think George Kirsch win an Oscar Peterson would be very proud the way this Japanese woman brings this awesome jazz piano piece to life I love virtuosic playing like this this is so fantastic and when I recently discovered her a year ago or so I was absolutely blown away by her technique this video should get a thumbs up and not a thumbs down because how awesome and marvelous she is on the piano especially when you least expect it the tempo goes faster which is what I love about it this should be on her next record she should do standards like this the way her piano playing is it’s great. I think people who give this video a thumbs down don’t realize the virtuosic talent people like her hat and if you’re not moved by this piece somethings wrong with you.
Watched her do this live in a playhouse under the granville street bridge in Vancouver some years back. She is ELECTRIC! Clearly a *world* talent and I don't think just anyone can practice and be as good as her. She is special.. Thanks for the upload.
Unbelievable technique! The tremendous mastery of the instrument when she doesn't even look at the keys over some of the most difficult passages! Arguably the best jazz pianist of this generation!
Regardless of the style of music, Hiromi has some amazing piano chops. She has said that she doesn't play any particular style of music--she plays what she likes. I think she's fantastic. I will continue to listen to her music.
No kidding but I was listening to Art Tatum and autoplay played one of hers and I didn't notice a change of player until looking casually! Agreed, this sort of talent is extremely rare, like one in a billion sort of thing, glad I've come across her Bob!
TIMBRE: I would be able to appreciate her more if this piano didn't sound so ugly. The bass hammers sound like a trash can lid banging when played fortissimo. C'mon guys, needle the hammers a little bit. I would love to hear her play this again on a well restored 9' vintage Knabe, so I can stop criticizing the piano and start listening to hear if there is harshness in her touch or it is the piano. Then again, maybe in the other parts she's going for harshness. MUSICAL IDEAS: I don't doubt she has an extreme degree of musical and pianistic control, which deserves accolades, but to me, this rendition ("rend" meaning to tear apart), sounds like a stunt, deliberately show-offy (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), WITHOUT much of what I hear as musical beauty, non-scale-or-arpeggio-based improvisations / ornamentation, and things along those lines. I personally contrast this with old recordings of the old masters, black or white, male or female, jazz or classical. To me, there is something magical about those old virtuoso performances, because it's not just technique, but technique used in the service of definite musical and emotional ideas, which makes hearing these musicians play, such a treat, by contrast. I really wish I could like this more, but I can't. It doesn't move me, and I don't think it's just because of how I look or my own technique. I am sure there are many Asian lady pianists who could kick my ass at piano who would also agree with at least some of the above points and also be left cold by this particular arrangement/performance. I am not saying that the lady in the video doesn't have potential; I have never met her and don't know what she is like; what inspires her when arranging a tune, etc., but I would like to believe that she has the potential to add a great deal of emotional depth and musical coherence to her fast playing (the slow passage sounded pretty good), and am sure that when that day arrives, she will truly be a musical force with which to be reckoned.
*I would like to add that if you disagree with me, there's one simple test of that I think may reveal much: Play an Art Tatum recording here on RUclips, or rather, several, from different years. Now, on your home computer (can't find this device on the mobile app), set the speed to 75%, and then 50%, and really listen. Notice the quality of touch, and also coherence of musical ideas (the latter is highly subjective, so not everyone will have the same opinions). Then, get a few recordings by Oscar Peterson and do the same thing. And then this performance, and also other recordings by this lady. Personally, Art Tatum is the most uncanny pianist I have ever heard in my life, along with maybe Leopold Godowsky, and Josef Hofmann. To me, it's not just the magnificence of touch, and tone shading, but also how incredible this touch and control remain even at fast tempos. What impresses me the most about Mr. Tatum is how, at 3/4 or 1/2 speed, he sounds to me like a really good swing-era pianist, like Teddy Wilson or Earl Hines, with great touch, musical ideas, etc., but SPED UP. Although he did have his favorite devices he used again and again (some learned from his hero Lee Sims), what is surprising when heard at a slower speed is how much he played that was NOT musical devices or riffs, but actual linear improvisation, at that furious speed. It should go without saying that this is VERY hard to do (it's hard enough for everyone else at normal tempos!!! Very few people could really touch Teddy Wilson!). I have come to the conclusion that his brain simply went faster than everyone else's, and we are fortunate that his fingers could keep up, and was thus able to grace us all with his brilliant musical ideas.
One more thing : I am judging solely by this one performance. If you can direct me to other, slower and more thoughtful recordings by this lady, I will be much obliged.
I looked up mind blowing and there was only a picture of Hiromi as the definition. Hiromi deserves to be recognized in the same light as all the great Jazz Luminaries from the BeBop era or any time for that matter. One of the greatest masters of the ART.
I see trolls who don't have any knowledge in piano or music saying stupid immature remarks that you would hear from an uneducated teenager. She's definitely a master and top level pianist.
Defenitily perfect!!! Hiromi is the best jazz performer. I was wondering of her playing, she has an excellent technics and incredible style!!! Bravissimo!!
At the end of the day, Its the freedom she has in her playing that comes through.She has terrific rhythm and playfullness.I think part of what appears t o be "Showy" is actually unhibited joy.
That was amazing!!! And to the people who agree with me: don't be mad at the people who can't appreciate this, feel sorry for them, and be glad you are able to appreciate good music.
WOW! Hiromi! you're not human! you're incredible! i don't know how to describe such a talented musician like you. Thank you so much to create this music to this World. I'm sure Oscar would be so pround and this version has became the best for me! LOVE IT!!!!!!
Hiromi is such a brilliant and talented musician with sooo much feeling. She is sooo beautiful too! I love her smile and I can tell she really loves playing piano so much. :-)
Hi Folks, There's a Marion MacPartland piano Jazz interview on RUclips where Hiromi plays this . Ms. MacPartland says something like, "I feel so inadequate. I feel like I should go home and practice." Hiromi really is the 'changing of the guard' in jazz. She reveres Oscar Peterson and all those who came before her, but here she is! Jay
Hiromi is absolutely extraordinary. I understand that some people do not have the training to fully understand and enjoy different styles of music. That is OK too
Why would you need training to appreciate music. That seems counter intuitive. Unless you only want to make "music" for people more concerned with academia than actual emotion? That just seems wrong to require a formal music knowledge to appreciate a piece.
+Justin Say it. And even then - those with training know that a lot of what she does is just ROUTINE. And what's worse - SIMPLIFIED for tiny little hands. Still ... she knows how to keep it exciting. Most of the time. : )
This Japanese women pianist is amazing I love her music and this is what Josh truly is all about fun and exciting that’s what I love about Peroni she is a great Japanese jazz pianist and I just love her music it’s fantastic I could listen to her music all day and never get tired of it. this is one of the best versions of I got rid of my head ever heard and she’s definitely up there is my favorite jazz pianist besides Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson she’s a true jazz genius.
I just started listening to this super talented beauty... I swear I could almost listen to this performance every day. Her band, Sonicbloom, is throughly awesome as well.
Incredible and fantastic. I'd really like to learn to play this song like Hiromi. But I don't think my boss agrees to take the next 40 years off.......;-)
this lady has some of the most amazing energy I have ever seen! totally not afraid to be who she is and I especially enjoy how her virtuosity doesn't get in the way of her music making. in a sense, that's what makes a virtuoso
She's the best. There is no one in jazz today who I would put on her level. Some listeners have problems with musicians who have phenomenal technique such as Peterson, Tatum, Arturo Sandoval and James Carter. But there is more to Hiromi than her technique: her wit, constant creativity and the beautiful way she plays ballads. See her live (and preferably solo) when you can. At 29 she is already a giant.
This lady is fantastic. Normally I am bored by the lack of originality with many Jazz musicians, but this lady puts humor, intelligence, and finesse into her craft. Would love to go and see her perform. I am a fan now. She is a top class musician and performer, I would never fall asleep during her concerts.
I see the Tatum comparison, but she also sounds somewhat like Georges Cziffra, the famous classical pianist, who also played jazz. Unfortunately, not much of Cziffra's jazz ever got recorded and some of what did seems to be more like him experimenting or fooling around without a live audience. But even that is extraordinary.
How can she play like that and not have arm muscle cramps? This is super-human...seemingly technically unbelievable if not recorded, and great, fun music too! I'd pay big bucks to see this live!
So often as musicians we get all worked up in the hours upon hours of practicing technique and getting patterns under our hands in all keys and learning all this stuff, we forget to express ourselves instead of just trying to prove ourself and show off. Then you get people like Hiromi who somehow manage to express themselves like this. So technically amazing, but it isn't showy, it's expression. It's personal.
Her timing is so good! even when the audience started dragging she still kept up a perfect internal metronome... she's fucking retardedly good... this IS NOT NORMAL....
Technically maybe or they are on par but Oscar had many sides he was also a perfect accompanist and a prolific recorder. Let's give Hiromi some more time.
This is one of those "WTF!?" moment videos where 10 minutes after the video is over, you're just sitting there staring at the screen because you still can't move from all that being blown away.
windsong.....i heard from a common jazz satellite station....bought the album brain........never stopped listening to her..............she's so awesome!
I know she dedicated this to Oscar but my god, she has Tatum flowing right through her hands. Her technique is jaw dropping and her time at break neck speed is impeccable.
Her style is more similar to Peterson. Her skill, well the fact that Tatum is even referenced, speaks to her greatness. Curiously, her presentation, is polar opposite to Tatum's. Recall Tatum's fingering more or less, very indiscernibly would flow back and forth across the keyboard while his "body" was relatively still, demonstrating an economy of motion. Hiromi's playing, in contrast, is demonstrative. The hair splitting comparisons clearly point to extraordinary elite status. Bottom line she is other worldly. Heir apparent!
@@joelrivardguitar Yes Tatum's virtuosity was much more controlled, I doubt Tatum was a showman really. Whereas Peterson - and very much Hiromi - use virtuosity in a showmanship way.
@@Santosificationable Peterson played mostly bebop lines at a high velocity. Tatum did that some (a bit less sophisticated because he had not heard Parker yet like Peterson had) but when Tatum unleashed his crazy-ness the lines were much more classically inspired. Broken arpeggios in all sorts of patterns - ruclips.net/video/Zev9mXHpQn4/видео.html (at 1:21 is a common Tatum arpeggio line), pent runs that are stupid fast and all those flowery "leaves falling" runs. Hiromi nor Peterson has chops like that. Even players who demonstrate "Tatum" licks, if you actually listen to Tatum he's way more technical. Tatum sounds like someone who was able to master Romantic piano - Liszt, Chopin and so on and then become the best stride and jazz player for the 1930's. He's like 2 separate virtuosos? Not to mention his substitutions, chordal playing, and more. I just did a video where Tatum does a run with the whole tone scale but sneaks in the diminished scale at the end. He was right up there with Parker. Except Parker developed it into a more melodic system that inspired more copying.
Just what I thought at the time I found her : as Tommy beat, skills, whole range of emotions,they seem one with the instrument and the audience so It would be almost a glimps of heaven seeing and hearing her play live now.
@ Chadlexington - You could say that she likes her 'chops' and 'showing off' but she never plays the same thing twice ever, not just in this video. She's not playing chops, she plays what's in her head, she's not worried about peoples opinions, she just expresses herself. Sometimes it's very fast, others ambient, others melodic. Listen.
hendrix19871 Truth be told, at the top, I thought she was deliberately playing not jus straight 8ths, but 'square', for effect, and then when she started swinging, I was right!
As a lifetime professional piano player, I am blown away at her technique and creativity. She puts soooo much into her music and obviously has a lot of fun. I have sen her live (and met her) and can tell you that she is also very capable of playing a ballad with equal amounts of emotion. God love her - she is GREAT!
I believe she has taken technique as close to perfection as any human ever has to date. I mean I don't want to see anyone who has better technique than this. Hiromi mixes her technique with such emotion when she plays. Technique minus the human emotion is nothing. She's got it all!
People complain she's not a true jazz artist because of her technique..
The point is, she brings so much energy and happiness to her shows. I saw her last night in Detroit and she had the entire crowd so into her playing - she spoke a little bit and told stories on what each song was for, such as where she's from, her family, etc. She's fun to watch and she makes everyone laugh hard when talking about stuff..not many people can do all that in a solo piano show.
Who the hell has the courage to complain that?
@@Liddellygo 11 years and this is the first comment. That's weird to think about.
@@itsanthonyhere Right?
If she's not true, no one is!
I guess true jazz artists should up their game.
Why haven't I heard of her before, she takes jazz piano to another level. She's inventive and fun, a genius on the keys.
She tickles the keys so much that they go into cardiac arrest and die.
Her fingers can level mountains.
She makes Oscar Peterson proud.
interesting analogies
j'adore trop ce feeling sans retnu de cette pianiste. J'ai enfin un ecxellent exemple de l'art de l'improvisation en jazz que je n'attendais plus. Elle est belle, elle a du goût, elle est expressive, la scène et le piano lui vont à merveille. Son grain de folie lui donne de la personnalité et son minois me charme tant, enfin elle a tout....
after this video my dad bought a piano for me to learn, 14 years later I am still playing. thank you Hiromi, thank you dad
Hiromi is incredibly talented and has sooo much feeling! She has the most beautiful smile too. I could watch her play for hours and hours and be mesmerized the whole time. I just love her!
I would hope to never have to meet those that give this performance a thumb down. Really, a thumb down for this? I wonder if those people ever played a note on the piano, because they must have no clue how incredibly difficult and may I say, near impossible it is to play like this. You may not like this arrangement, or the style of music, but at least you should be man or women enough to acknowledge her unbelievable technique, musical humor, and energy this young woman displays in her interpretation of an already beaten to death Gershwin classic that she so amazingly brings to life again. She makes Oscar Peterson smile beams in heaven. And by the way, Oscar Peterson was blown away by her and even invited her to his house letting her play on his Bösendorfer piano. Bravo!
Most of Hiromi's musical criticism comes from other musicians and especially other pianists. Not, because they are especially jealous of her chops or technique, but more because of how she uses the music. Hiromi is a phenomenal
pianist, but she is more of an impressive performer than an expressive artist. She is constantly showing off to her audiences by proving how fast and complicated she can play, rarely exploring the expressive and emotional aspects of composition and music.
Other jazz pianists view her more as a performance act than as a musical artist. It is not uncommon for her audiences to leave her concerts feeling beat up, because her energy level in both her solo and ensemble work begins at full throttle and never ends until the show is over.
I've studied Hiromi and her playing for several years, met her many times after her concerts and discussed pianism, music, and performance with her. I have respect and admiration for her and for her success, but I, like so many other Jazz pianists, do not find myself wanting to learn much from her, because her range of composition and emotional expression is very limited at this time.
I do look forward to hearing her play when she reaches middle age. By that time, the hormone-fueled vinegar of youth has usually fermented into a far more drinkable wine.
@@jennifer86010 Very well put. She is a virtuoso, but she is also incredibly musical. Chick Corea was a big fan of hers, which should make everyone listen up, and had some noteworthy duo appearances with her. In the end, everything is a matter of personal preference. In my comment I just wanted to call out all these small minded - secretly callous - people who can't see beyond her brilliant virtuosity. I agree with you, like a good wine it may take a few more years until she finds the perfect balance between musical expression and technical brilliance. A musical journey to watch.
@@musictrainingonline Thank you Thomas. As a Jazz pianist over many decades, I have learned to study as many pianists as possible, meeting, working with and studying under many great, even legendary pianists. All have different traits, strengths and styles. I've never tried to copy any of them, but rather incorporate parts of them which help enrich
my own originality. For awhile, Hiromi was a clone of Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea. Eventually, she found her own voice and style, while still continuing to pay tribute to both of these great pianists.
I had the chance to meet and talk with Oscar while he was still performing, but after his bouts with strokes. He still played better than most, even at his advanced age. He signed my very first Jazz Album... Oscar Peterson The Trio, recorded in Chicago.
Chick was a phenomenal player and a phenomenal person. With his truckload of Grammy Awards and his worldwide recognition, he was as down-to-earth and as humble as a beginning piano student. He incorporated learning, teaching, sing-alongs, and experimental fun with many of his audiences, and while taking the music seriously, he didn't take himself too seriously. He always tried to have fun with performing while drawing the audience into the musicians and the music.
Many of Chick's concerts were more like casual master classes, but at a layman's level of technical understanding and involvement for the benefit of the general audience. I had the chance to play with Chick several times in music clinics and other venues, and he was as nice and as generous and giving as any musician could ever be. A sharp contrast to many big name Jazz legends who were often cool, aloof, and unapproachable.
Once, after one of Chick's concerts at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, California (seats 300 people) a group of us piano players were talking outside the club after the performance. A lone character slowly strolled up behind us and stood there listening to our conversation for a couple of minutes. We ignored him, thinking he was another audience member leaving the club, on the way to his car. Then one of us glanced over his shoulder and noticed that this attentive stranger was actually the star of the show, Chick Corea, all alone, carrying his backpack, walking back to the hotel after the gig. He was interested in what we were saying about the gig and the music. He joined us and we continued discussing music, piano playing, performing and life, as if he was just one of us, no big deal. No ego, no "Mr. Big Shot", no "Big Star" attitude. Just a real genuine, thoughtful, sincere great guy who loves music and people.
Hiromi was also very thoughtful about dealing with fans after her performances, partially because she continued the Japanese tradition of politeness, but also because she was interested in others who were musicians and especially pianists. Once, after one of her concerts, she asked me if I was that person sitting in the front row, nearly under the right leg of the piano, who was rapidly writing down notes as she played?
I replied, "Yes, I'm the guilty party." She asked why I would be taking notes at a concert? I said, "Well, since we were not allowed to make recordings or take photos during the performance, I had to use paper and pencil if I was to remember many of the things I was learning from you, so I wrote down as much as I could about your playing during your performance, and sitting as close to the keyboard as possible, allowed me to clearly see what your hands were doing." That started some long conversations between us, and led to a familiar musical relationship over the years.
I've had the opportunity to shake the hands of many of the world's most accomplished virtuoso pianists in Jazz as well as Classical music. All hands are different, from the dainty small refined hands of Hiromi, or Yuja Wang, to the rather large and rough hands of Martha Argerich, to Oscar's large hands, or the graceful hands of Marc Andre Hamelin.
What I discovered, after decades of playing and studying so many pianists, is the fact that it is actually not the hands that are important in playing piano, since tiny hands, large hands, skinny, fat, bony, young, old hands are all capable of playing.
In fact, it is the mind and the heart which actually play the piano. The hands are simply the link between the musician and the instrument, and regardless of hand size or capability, pianists find ways to play the notes despite any finger or hand limitations.
Fortunately, for Jazz, there are many young up-and-coming brilliant artists like Eldar Djangirov, Taylor Eigsti, Fred Wilbow, and many others who have absorbed the styles and influences of Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans. They are now developing their own styles, and because of the emergence of so many legitimate Jazz Schools and college music departments which offer Jazz Performance, these young musicians are top notch. In addition to their legitimate extensive musical schooling, they have also learned on gigs, and from one-on-one lessons from other older experienced musicians. Both the "school and the street" have given these younger players a huge advantage, especially in developing the art form and advancing the entire culture of Jazz.
I keep learning, and as time marches on, the more I learn, the more I discover what I didn't know....but thought I new when I was younger. Keep listening to America's Original Art Form....It belongs to the world, but only a small few are able to realize and appreciate the beauty, the wonder, and the magic which is Jazz.
Well music training line I absolutely love this arrangement of I got rhythm I think George Kirsch win an Oscar Peterson would be very proud the way this Japanese woman brings this awesome jazz piano piece to life I love virtuosic playing like this this is so fantastic and when I recently discovered her a year ago or so I was absolutely blown away by her technique this video should get a thumbs up and not a thumbs down because how awesome and marvelous she is on the piano especially when you least expect it the tempo goes faster which is what I love about it this should be on her next record she should do standards like this the way her piano playing is it’s great. I think people who give this video a thumbs down don’t realize the virtuosic talent people like her hat and if you’re not moved by this piece somethings wrong with you.
She really swings the hell out of this piece.
The swing is everything! Fantastic!!!!
ひろみさんのIVe got rhythm.今まで聴いた楽曲のimageがぶっ飛び新たな魅力を発見しました！ありがとう❤❤
Hiromi has absolute control of the instrument. Saw her play today, wow really an unfathomable musician!!
1:34 - 2:26
One of the most beautiful passages in the history of jazz piano.
Watched her do this live in a playhouse under the granville street bridge in Vancouver some years back. She is ELECTRIC! Clearly a *world* talent and I don't think just anyone can practice and be as good as her. She is special.. Thanks for the upload.
Unbelievable technique! The tremendous mastery of the instrument when she doesn't even look at the keys over some of the most difficult passages! Arguably the best jazz pianist of this generation!
Regardless of the style of music, Hiromi has some amazing piano chops. She has said that she doesn't play any particular style of music--she plays what she likes. I think she's fantastic.
I will continue to listen to her music.
She is probably the most accomplished jazz pianist in the world at this time. Her technique and execution are incredible.
No kidding but I was listening to Art Tatum and autoplay played one of hers and I didn't notice a change of player until looking casually! Agreed, this sort of talent is extremely rare, like one in a billion sort of thing, glad I've come across her Bob!
An uber-virtuoso appears in each generation; seems the torch has now been passed.
Art Tatum -> Oscar Peterson -> Hiromi Uehara
TIMBRE: I would be able to appreciate her more if this piano didn't sound so ugly. The bass hammers sound like a trash can lid banging when played fortissimo. C'mon guys, needle the hammers a little bit. I would love to hear her play this again on a well restored 9' vintage Knabe, so I can stop criticizing the piano and start listening to hear if there is harshness in her touch or it is the piano. Then again, maybe in the other parts she's going for harshness.
MUSICAL IDEAS: I don't doubt she has an extreme degree of musical and pianistic control, which deserves accolades, but to me, this rendition ("rend" meaning to tear apart), sounds like a stunt, deliberately show-offy (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), WITHOUT much of what I hear as musical beauty, non-scale-or-arpeggio-based improvisations / ornamentation, and things along those lines.
I personally contrast this with old recordings of the old masters, black or white, male or female, jazz or classical. To me, there is something magical about those old virtuoso performances, because it's not just technique, but technique used in the service of definite musical and emotional ideas, which makes hearing these musicians play, such a treat, by contrast.
I really wish I could like this more, but I can't. It doesn't move me, and I don't think it's just because of how I look or my own technique. I am sure there are many Asian lady pianists who could kick my ass at piano who would also agree with at least some of the above points and also be left cold by this particular arrangement/performance.
I am not saying that the lady in the video doesn't have potential; I have never met her and don't know what she is like; what inspires her when arranging a tune, etc., but I would like to believe that she has the potential to add a great deal of emotional depth and musical coherence to her fast playing (the slow passage sounded pretty good), and am sure that when that day arrives, she will truly be a musical force with which to be reckoned.
*I would like to add that if you disagree with me, there's one simple test of that I think may reveal much:
Play an Art Tatum recording here on RUclips, or rather, several, from different years.
Now, on your home computer (can't find this device on the mobile app), set the speed to 75%, and then 50%, and really listen. Notice the quality of touch, and also coherence of musical ideas (the latter is highly subjective, so not everyone will have the same opinions).
Then, get a few recordings by Oscar Peterson and do the same thing. And then this performance, and also other recordings by this lady.
Personally, Art Tatum is the most uncanny pianist I have ever heard in my life, along with maybe Leopold Godowsky, and Josef Hofmann.
To me, it's not just the magnificence of touch, and tone shading, but also how incredible this touch and control remain even at fast tempos.
What impresses me the most about Mr. Tatum is how, at 3/4 or 1/2 speed, he sounds to me like a really good swing-era pianist, like Teddy Wilson or Earl Hines, with great touch, musical ideas, etc., but SPED UP. Although he did have his favorite devices he used again and again (some learned from his hero Lee Sims), what is surprising when heard at a slower speed is how much he played that was NOT musical devices or riffs, but actual linear improvisation, at that furious speed. It should go without saying that this is VERY hard to do (it's hard enough for everyone else at normal tempos!!! Very few people could really touch Teddy Wilson!).
I have come to the conclusion that his brain simply went faster than everyone else's, and we are fortunate that his fingers could keep up, and was thus able to grace us all with his brilliant musical ideas.
One more thing : I am judging solely by this one performance. If you can direct me to other, slower and more thoughtful recordings by this lady, I will be much obliged.
I always say music should be fun, and this beautiful, talented young lady makes it FUN !!
I looked up mind blowing and there was only a picture of Hiromi as the definition. Hiromi deserves to be recognized in the same light as all the great Jazz Luminaries from the BeBop era or any time for that matter. One of the greatest masters of the ART.
I see trolls who don't have any knowledge in piano or music saying stupid immature remarks that you would hear from an uneducated teenager. She's definitely a master and top level pianist.
ThePianoguy89 I agree. I would challenge them to make a video of them playing this exactly like she did....
I have been a fan of hers since she started out, but...DAMN, she is astounding!
Hiromi is fantastic. I just saw her live this evening in London and she blew everyone away!
Defenitily perfect!!! Hiromi is the best jazz performer. I was wondering of her playing, she has an excellent technics and incredible style!!! Bravissimo!!
At the end of the day, Its the freedom she has in her playing that comes through.She has terrific rhythm and playfullness.I think part of what appears t o be "Showy" is actually unhibited joy.
Totally agree with July311955 she’s a spiritual light of joy and beauty,a gift !
That was amazing!!! And to the people who agree with me: don't be mad at the people who can't appreciate this, feel sorry for them, and be glad you are able to appreciate good music.
I've listened to this every day for like the last month and still I am not tired of it. How can that be?
WOW! Hiromi! you're not human! you're incredible! i don't know how to describe such a talented musician like you. Thank you so much to create this music to this World. I'm sure Oscar would be so pround and this version has became the best for me! LOVE IT!!!!!!
I first listened to this two years ago, and as I've studied and learned piano more and more, this performance just gets more and more impressive.
This is absolutely incredible. So many notes yet so much precision!!!
Oscar Peterson would be so proud of her.
So would Gershwin haha!
This has just brought me to tears......unbelievable talent Hiromi has; she is something else!!!
Me, too. Tears of sheer euphoria.
Hiromi is such a brilliant and talented musician with sooo much feeling. She is sooo beautiful too! I love her smile and I can tell she really loves playing piano so much. :-)
So amazing. I love how she adjusts to play by the audience's clicking. (around 1:50)
素晴らしい…
こんなに愉しくピアノを弾いている…
美しいですね
本当にありがとう…
Hi Folks, There's a Marion MacPartland piano Jazz interview on RUclips where Hiromi plays this . Ms. MacPartland says something like, "I feel so inadequate. I feel like I should go home and practice." Hiromi really is the 'changing of the guard' in jazz. She reveres Oscar Peterson and all those who came before her, but here she is! Jay
what a tribute to Gershwin and Peterson! Hiromi Uehara is one hell of a jazz pianist of our generation! just wow!
I admire Hiromi so much! Her facial expressions and movement show that she's so into what she's playing. Inspiring.
Hiromi is absolutely extraordinary. I understand that some people do not have the training to fully understand and enjoy different styles of music. That is OK too
Why would you need training to appreciate music. That seems counter intuitive. Unless you only want to make "music" for people more concerned with academia than actual emotion?
That just seems wrong to require a formal music knowledge to appreciate a piece.
+Justin
Say it. And even then - those with training know that a lot of what she does is just ROUTINE. And what's worse - SIMPLIFIED for tiny little hands. Still ... she knows how to keep it exciting. Most of the time. : )
The 'layman's' opinion is just as valid as the musician's. Bill Evans said that
@@xavierdouglas-smith3682 Arguably the layman is more important. Most of the time laypeople make up a majority of the audience.
This Japanese women pianist is amazing I love her music and this is what Josh truly is all about fun and exciting that’s what I love about Peroni she is a great Japanese jazz pianist and I just love her music it’s fantastic I could listen to her music all day and never get tired of it. this is one of the best versions of I got rid of my head ever heard and she’s definitely up there is my favorite jazz pianist besides Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson she’s a true jazz genius.
I just started listening to this super talented beauty... I swear I could almost listen to this performance every day. Her band, Sonicbloom, is throughly awesome as well.
Incredible and fantastic. I'd really like to learn to play this song like Hiromi. But I don't think my boss agrees to take the next 40 years off.......;-)
I've never before seen truly Lisztian technique translated into jazz piano playing so convincingly! Perhaps Art Tatum, but that's it!
this lady has some of the most amazing energy I have ever seen! totally not afraid to be who she is and I especially enjoy how her virtuosity doesn't get in the way of her music making. in a sense, that's what makes a virtuoso
She's the best. There is no one in jazz today who I would put on her level. Some listeners have problems with musicians who have phenomenal technique such as Peterson, Tatum, Arturo Sandoval and James Carter. But there is more to Hiromi than her technique: her wit, constant creativity and the beautiful way she plays ballads. See her live (and preferably solo) when you can. At 29 she is already a giant.
The call out Oscar made my day :D
At 2:30 she'd finally had enough of the audience tapping
lmao
jajajajaja
Genius, genius and moving genius! Unbelievable musical beauty!
Doesn't matter how good you are at anything, the past still holds all the secrets forevermore just until we can become uninvolved again...
This lady is fantastic. Normally I am bored by the lack of originality with many Jazz musicians, but this lady puts humor, intelligence, and finesse into her craft. Would love to go and see her perform.
I am a fan now. She is a top class musician and performer, I would never fall asleep during her concerts.
she kind of reminds of Art Tatum, with the all out style of play, seemingly all over the place and yet still making musical sense.
However if you listen to Tatum's version of I've Got Rhythm there's plenty of difference.
Yes, I literally just got here outta youtube recomendations from Art Tatum's music.
I see the Tatum comparison, but she also sounds somewhat like Georges Cziffra, the famous classical pianist, who also played jazz. Unfortunately, not much of Cziffra's jazz ever got recorded and some of what did seems to be more like him experimenting or fooling around without a live audience. But even that is extraordinary.
wow... you don't see these kind of talented piano players every decade....
thanks for the wonderful post
It's unbelievable how much I enjoy this performance.
Such clean sound!
She pretty much has the technique of Art Tatum and an amazing range of style. I will be interested to see where where takes this in the future.
+Jon Effemey Tatum immediately springs to mind.
+Jon Effemey That's a pretty pertinent Observation, Jon
fabulous Hiromi Uehara!!!! Marvelous piano player and so feminin
this girl is gifted with knowledge from many lifetimes. What a player!!!! WoW!!!
Hiromi es puro talento, es increible!
This is amazing performance, maybe close to Art tatum's style, but she has her own character and such a force! Thanks for posting this!
This women's talent is the best ever..I saw her last night in Detroit...she's remarkable. I think I love her!
Caught her in Vancouver performing this tune. Wow...she blitzes the piano like no one I have ever seen. Superb.
How can she play like that and not have arm muscle cramps? This is super-human...seemingly technically unbelievable if not recorded, and great, fun music too! I'd pay big bucks to see this live!
because she'is super relax. That the secret
@@wawacool9147 If you are too relax you can't press the keys lol
AMAZING!!!!
thank you youtube algorithm
jaw-dropping music playing ! absolutely superb !
This is very good example how much jazz musicians took from classical music.
She says thankyou
crowd is like "OMG" *clap clap*
So often as musicians we get all worked up in the hours upon hours of practicing technique and getting patterns under our hands in all keys and learning all this stuff, we forget to express ourselves instead of just trying to prove ourself and show off. Then you get people like Hiromi who somehow manage to express themselves like this. So technically amazing, but it isn't showy, it's expression. It's personal.
Great Version, she's fantastic!
Her timing is so good! even when the audience started dragging she still kept up a perfect internal metronome... she's fucking retardedly good... this IS NOT NORMAL....
ikr lol. she has in my opinion surpassed oscar
Technically maybe or they are on par but Oscar had many sides he was also a perfect accompanist and a prolific recorder. Let's give Hiromi some more time.
I've got a new hero!
You mean, Hero-mi?
Music is an art, not a science. There is no competition, no trying to outskill someone. It is purely the essence of expression of the mind and soul.
I'm inspired just by how much she is into playing this piece.
Highly interesting and entertaining rendition.
Somewhere Haruki Murakami is smiling.
you say "somewhere" like he's dead
David Nakamura People only smile when they are alive.
omp199 This is definitely true. Unless they died smiling, and the smile was frozen on their face.
Anyhow, Haruki Murakami is still alive.
? because he’s japanese?
One of the best performances by her.
Oscar must have been proud of this rendition . Inspiring, is that the word?
0:10 the first time I've ever heard her voice
Not Human
definitely not
This is one of those "WTF!?" moment videos where 10 minutes after the video is over, you're just sitting there staring at the screen because you still can't move from all that being blown away.
windsong.....i heard from a common jazz satellite station....bought the album brain........never stopped listening to her..............she's so awesome!
Oh my god, imagine being able to do that yourself, I'm in a stratosphere
I know she dedicated this to Oscar but my god, she has Tatum flowing right through her hands. Her technique is jaw dropping and her time at break neck speed is impeccable.
Her style is more similar to Peterson. Her skill, well the fact that Tatum is even referenced, speaks to her greatness. Curiously, her presentation, is polar opposite to Tatum's. Recall Tatum's fingering more or less, very indiscernibly would flow back and forth across the keyboard while his "body" was relatively still, demonstrating an economy of motion. Hiromi's playing, in contrast, is demonstrative. The hair splitting comparisons clearly point to extraordinary elite status. Bottom line she is other worldly. Heir apparent!
She's awesome but not like Tatum. He's way more mind blowing when you really study both players.
@@joelrivardguitar Yes Tatum's virtuosity was much more controlled, I doubt Tatum was a showman really. Whereas Peterson - and very much Hiromi - use virtuosity in a showmanship way.
@@Santosificationable Peterson played mostly bebop lines at a high velocity. Tatum did that some (a bit less sophisticated because he had not heard Parker yet like Peterson had) but when Tatum unleashed his crazy-ness the lines were much more classically inspired. Broken arpeggios in all sorts of patterns -
ruclips.net/video/Zev9mXHpQn4/видео.html (at 1:21 is a common Tatum arpeggio line), pent runs that are stupid fast and all those flowery "leaves falling" runs.
Hiromi nor Peterson has chops like that.
Even players who demonstrate "Tatum" licks, if you actually listen to Tatum he's way more technical.
Tatum sounds like someone who was able to master Romantic piano - Liszt, Chopin and so on and then become the best stride and jazz player for the 1930's.
He's like 2 separate virtuosos?
Not to mention his substitutions, chordal playing, and more.
I just did a video where Tatum does a run with the whole tone scale but sneaks in the diminished scale at the end.
He was right up there with Parker. Except Parker developed it into a more melodic system that inspired more copying.
Tricky, jingle I GOT A RHYTHM in jazz improvisation !!!! Awesome !!!
Wowzers! What a left hand! What a right hand! And what a great musical imagination. I really like this young woman.
Hiromi is the Jimi Hendrix of the piano....!!
Hendrix doesn't have the technical proficiency Hiromi has.
FAR FROM IT. Hendrix is outplayed by 10 year olds technically speaking. What made Hendrix great was that he was very innovative.
and tasteful. He didn't need to shred to play with meaning.
Jackson Wheeler Although he shredded a lot to the degree of annoyance.
She needs a left handed piano for that
This is beautiful, I love how the audience reacts to her also; it's not the formal tuxedo-sit-up-straight robot.
Just what I thought at the time I found her : as Tommy beat, skills, whole range of emotions,they seem one with the instrument and the audience so It would be almost a glimps of heaven seeing and hearing her play live now.
@ Chadlexington - You could say that she likes her 'chops' and 'showing off' but she never plays the same thing twice ever, not just in this video. She's not playing chops, she plays what's in her head, she's not worried about peoples opinions, she just expresses herself. Sometimes it's very fast, others ambient, others melodic. Listen.
To the "she's good but has no feel" people: Did it ever cross your mind that maybe you just can't keep up with the rest of us?
hendrix19871 Truth be told, at the top, I thought she was deliberately playing not jus straight 8ths, but 'square', for effect, and then when she started swinging, I was right!
@@andrewbarrett1537 Honestly I enjoy the way she quotes that "square" style. I agree, it's a deliberate effect, but I think it might not be so ironic.
YEAH, BABY!
(Tatum would pick up a thing or two from her. Yes, really. As she no doubt did from him.)
Holy shit
Absolutely masterful. Just, wow.
3:55 Oscar's smiling and clickin' his thumbs a bit
"I've got rhythm"
yes you fucking do :O
She's practically clawing at the piano, oh my word! Make me feel like quitting piano all together : )
Nobody does Hiromi like Hiromi - Love it.
chon brought me here
Same
subarashiiyo17 how?
Yeah I'm a HUGE Chon fan, but... how did they brought you here ?
They mentioned her in the AMA they did about two years ago
1:33 my favourite chorus. So good.
That is the most intense piano playing I have seen in years!!!!
Truly an amazing pianist and jazz perfomer... it doesn't get better that this, right? Bravo Hiromi...