| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Hiromi | |
| Jazz+ -- 08/07/2004, 16:01:49 -- #6349 | |
| Check out this video clip of an incredible 25 year old jazz pianist named Hiromi: http://www.hiromimusic.com/videos.htm To say Hiromi is amazing is by far an understatement. This talented young artist has entered the jazz scene amazing almost every person she meets, and she has continued strong now that she has graduated from the Berklee school of music. She gets some bad reviews here and there, but that's just from conservative conventionalists who don't know that jazz is not just swinging eight notes, but that it is a form of expression. Hiromi's playing is an odd blend. It's virtuosic, to say the least, but is well-balanced by a fabulous ear for melody. Too many jazz piano CDs today veer toward one of two extremes: sleep-inducing ballads or annoying post-bop noodling. Hiromi manages to avoid both traps. Instead, she has created an intense, adventurous album that stretches the limits of jazz piano and adds generous portions of rock and funk. | |
| Barry -- 08/08/2004, 04:49:04 -- #6355 | |
| There's a lengthy thread on Hiromi a while back. I have to say I'm not that keen on what I've heard of her music. I am aware that jazz is not just swinging eighth notes but to me her music sounds awkward and contrived and surprisingly predictable in the long run. I think that someone like Esbjorn Svensson is much more successful in blending different stylistic elements without losing sight of an overall musical conception. Still - each to his (or her!) own. It seems you either love her music or are left totally cold by it .... Barry | |
| 7 -- 08/08/2004, 14:09:47 -- #6364 | |
| Thanks, that was fun. | |
| Teddy -- 08/11/2004, 14:28:47 -- #6448 | |
| Not my cup of tea. | |
| james3 -- 08/16/2004, 23:41:36 -- #6551 | |
| Hi all, This might stir up some more trouble but hey what the heck :) Check out the new issue of Downbeat. There is a big feature article about Hiromi and her name is even on the cover. I also would like to point out that Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Laszslo Gardonay, and Joanne Brackeen have given large amounts of praise and endorsement to her within the last couple years. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion....but I hope these formidable names in jazz music will finally give her some credibility. Of course I am writing this in response to the negative detractors of her on this site. Alot of people didn't get Coltrane, Lenny Tristano, Cecil Taylor, and Ornette Coleman's stuff right away either...it's cool. You may have to let your ears adjust a little bit. Bless you all and best of luck.. Peace, James | |
| Barry_UK -- 08/17/2004, 05:13:30 -- #6556 | |
| Hey Jazz+, I love the phrase 'post-bop noodling'! Sums up so much... | |
| budzgroove -- 09/24/2004, 09:50:12 -- #7408 | |
| I don't care what big names endorse her. Nobody took credit from her. She has an album or two out on the market. I hate nut huggers!! I gave her props for what I could appreciate from her. And I don't care what anybody says. She is a very good composer, not a very TASTEFUL player. She is fast, so what...... I own her first cd, so she is cool in my book. In fact I am going to buy the new joint. I don't mind listening to her 1 scale because she has a killer back up band. :) | |
| quartal -- 09/24/2004, 12:02:35 -- #7410 | |
| I'll take Helen Sung over Hiromi. | |
| Mike -- 09/25/2004, 08:20:49 -- #7423 | |
| I couldnt get the video sample to play on my computer. nice hair though. | |
| Mike -- 09/25/2004, 09:26:12 -- #7426 | |
| I just downloaded realplayer and got to hear her. She is definetly about more than her hair. It doesnt get a whole lot better than that. That bass player has got it goin on too. I go out of my way to check her out for sure. She is a good addition to the world with out a doubt. fun to watch and listen to. | |
| Mike -- 09/25/2004, 09:31:33 -- #7427 | |
| Shes got a heavy Chick influence in her playing. Thats big at Berklee. I got nothing against it. Just pointing it out. Its fusion. In the same genre as the Light as a Feather era. That is an un dieing thing at Berklee, it always goes on strong because if for no other reason it gives soloists a chance to show their virtuosity. No other idiom allows you to show it off like fusion. | |
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