This artist who has nine albums to her credit and whose works have been called "Incendiary" and "Passionate" can count a Grammy Award and multiple music awards in her homeland of Japan in her trophy case. Hiromi began writing music at the age of six, by the age of fourteen she played with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and by the age of seventeen she met and performed with legendary jazz man Chick Corea.
By 1999, Hiromi had made her way to Berklee in Boston, MA. and moved to the U.S. While attending this famed music school she met many fascinating people and musicians; something that she can not have put a price tag upon. "I went to Berklee to learn and study compositions and arrangements. My classes were more orchestral and I met so many different people and musicians. Everybody was different in their styles and genres and the way they approached things, the biggest thing was meeting so many new and talented people and musicians; it opened me up to learning."
By 2003 she had her first album in stores, a work entitled "Another Mind." Hiromi had continued to rack up an impressive list of industry heavy hitters who were lining up to work with her. Names such as Stanley Clarke, Anthony Jackson, David Fiuczynski and drummer Simon Phillips are just several of those who have either laid down tracks for, performed with or have participated in her music in some way and she for them. Hiromi won a Grammy in 2011 while performing with Stanley Clarke when Clarke's disc, "The Stanley Clarke Band" got the nod for"Best Contemporary Jazz Album."
Even as her list of hardware and accomplishments continues to pile up, Hiromi continues to stay down; down to earth that is. When speaking with her, one gets the sense that she's authentic and incredibly sincere; especially when it comes to working with her band mates and her music itself. "Well," she started hesitantly; as if searching for the right words. "I don't listen to music by genres, to me, music has two genres; what I listen to and what I don't. People like to label music, my music too but I don't. Growing up in Japan, I don't know, to me every element, every experience in life affects my music; there is no one thing. My musicians on my records are very talented. Some of these guys I have used in the studio and now as my live band when I tour starting with my album "Voice." "Simon Phillips has worked with us on and off over the years and I always have special guests; I am fortunate to work with such people who have allowed me to have such an amazing musical journey."
The McCarter Theater show will be her second trip to the historic college town of Princeton. This show is a "One off thing" for Hiromi as after this she has several months off from the road before embarking on a tour which literally has her crisscrossing the globe. Beginning in South America, then to the Ukraine, Europe, back to the west coast of the U.S. and then ending in the fall in Switzerland; this hard rocking woman of jazz fusion will be logging many frequent flyer miles.
Sunday's show however, will be a solo performance; something that she thoroughly enjoys. "I came to Princeton once a very long time ago. I had heard of McCarter Theater and wanted to play there. This show will be just me, solo piano. I love playing solo piano, I love being alone on stage; it's open and just me and the piano.
Fans attending this performance are in for a smattering of her material both old and new. "I am very excited to be playing in Princeton once again," she said with enthusiasm. "This show will be mainly selections from my latest album, some new material but also selections from all of my albums; I am very happy to be doing this show."
Tickets may be purchased by going directly to McCarter Theater's box office or on line at www.mccartertheater.org . To discover more about Hiromi, please visit www.hiromimusic.com.
