New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Hiromi "Jazzes Up" Princeton and McCarter Theater


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 03/14/2015
"Ummm, well, music is events in life. When my emotion is moved; I feel like creating music. I could be travelling in a car and the landscape along the road can inspire me; it's easy to work when you're inspired. One little flower in the street can move you; it doesn't have to be a big event," says the great Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara as she prepares to bring her amazing talents to Princeton's McCarter Theater on Sunday March 15 at 3 p.m.

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.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



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.



Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Kean

Kean University Orchestra

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall
215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Spring: Tribute to Coldplay

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

The

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

Thursday, May 01, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Bruce

Bruce Hornsby and yMusic present BrhyM

Thursday, May 01, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Knuffle

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical

Friday, May 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Monmouth

Monmouth University's Tuesday Night Record Club Celebrates 100th Album on May 6th

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University will celebrate the 100th episode of its popular Tuesday Night Record Club series on May 6, 2025 at 7:30pm with Michael Jackson's classic 1979 album, Off the Wall. Attendees can register today to join this free event either in-person at the University's Great Hall Auditorium on campus, or via Zoom.



Newton

Newton Theatre presents The Ultimate Queen Celebration

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Ultimate Queen Celebration comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, July 18, 2025. The band features vocalist Yvan Pedneault (endorsed by Queen) and backed by some of the finest musicians on the scene who have toured with the likes of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Cher and more. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.



Hoboken

Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival to Take Place May 18th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken invite residents and visitors to the annual Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 11:00am to 6:00pm on Washington Street, between Observer Highway and Seventh Street. The event attracts over 30,000 visitors each spring and showcases the city's vibrant cultural scene. It features live musical performances on two stages, a variety of eateries, and over 300 artists, makers, crafters, and vendors.



The

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience starring Joby Rogers

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience starring Joby Rogers on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 8:00pm. The show celebrates the music and dancing of the Legendary 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson. This multimedia theatrical experience takes audiences on a Visual and Musical Journey through the life of the greatest entertainer of all time.



New

New Jersey Talent will be featured during 2025 North to Shore Festival

Prolific Asbury Park singer and songwriter Alexander Simone (grandson of the legendary Nina), Atlantic City's R&B songstress Mary Cross, and the pioneering female rapper, Newark's MC Rah Digga, are just a few of the beloved local talents who will present events as part of this year's Prudential North to Shore Festival. Performances and programs will be held June 14-29, 2025 in Asbury Park and Newark, while performances in Atlantic City will extend throughout the coming year.