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Hiromi Uehara

うえはら ひろみ

Hiromi Uehara

Aliases: Hiromi
Pen Names: Hiromi（Stage name / artist credit used internationally）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1979-03-26 （Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
English
Residence History
Resides in the United States (Boston, New York, etc.)

Career

Occupations
pianist, keyboardist, composer
Active Years
1986-
Affiliations
Ellora Management
Influenced By
Frank Zappa, Johann Sebastian Bach, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Sly & the Family Stone, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Erroll Garner, Martha Argerich, Vladimir Horowitz, Jeff Beck

Education

Hamamatsu Oiwake Elementary School
Country: Japan
Elementary school graduate
Hamamatsu Shijimizuka Junior High School
Country: Japan
Junior high school graduate
Shizuoka Prefectural Hamamatsu Kita High School
International Course
Country: Japan
High school graduate
Hosei University
Faculty of Law
Country: Japan
Left before graduation
Berklee College of Music
Composition & Arranging / CWP (Contemporary Writing & Production)
Degree: 卒業
Period: 1999-2003
Year of Graduation: 2003
Country: United States
Graduated summa cum laude (highest honors); awarded a Billboard scholarship

Awards

Grammy Award (Best Contemporary Jazz Album)
2011
Work: The Stanley Clarke Band Featuring Hiromi (participating artist)
Category: Best Contemporary Jazz Album
Organization: The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards)
Result: winner
Japan Gold Disc Award (Jazz Album of the Year)
2004
Work: Another Mind
Category: Jazz Album of the Year
Organization: Recording Industry Association of Japan
Result: winner
Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Encouragement Prize for New Artists (Popular Arts)
2007
Category: 大衆芸能部門
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: recipient
Japan Record Awards (Excellent Album Award)
2008
Work: Beyond Standard
Category: 優秀アルバム賞
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: winner
Boston Music Awards (Best Jazz Act)
2006
Category: Best Jazz Act
Organization: Boston Music Awards
Result: winner
Minister of Culture, Japan Commendation
2023
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: recipient
Osaka Cinema Festival Music Award
2024
Category: 音楽賞
Organization: Osaka Cinema Festival
Result: winner
Japan Academy Prize (Best Music)
2024
Work: BLUE GIANT (film score)
Category: 最優秀音楽賞
Organization: Japan Academy Prize Association
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Another Mind

2003 Jazz / Fusion

Debut album featuring a piano trio; launched Hiromi internationally and drew wide attention.

improvisationtechnical piano expressionhigh energy

Brain

2004 Jazz / Fusion

Second album that expanded her arranging and compositional range and received international recognition.

compositionexperimentalism

Spiral

2005 Jazz / Fusion

Trio album; awarded jazz prizes in Japan.

trio performancerhythmic diversity

Place to Be

2009 Solo piano

Her first solo piano record, noted for introspective structure and improvisation.

solo performanceintrospection

SPARK

2016 Jazz

Album by The Trio Project; reached No.1 on Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums.

triodynamism

Spectrum

2019 Solo piano

Solo piano album followed by an extensive domestic tour.

piano solotimbre variety

BLUE GIANT (Original Soundtrack)

2023 Film score / Jazz

Original soundtrack for the film BLUE GIANT. Awarded the Japan Academy Prize for Best Music.

film scoringjazz expression
Adaptations
  • [Film] BLUE GIANT (2023)

Bibliography

  • Another Mind (2003)
  • Brain (2004)
  • Spiral (2005)
  • Time Control (2007)
  • Beyond Standard (2008)
  • Place to Be (2009)
  • Voice (2011)
  • Move (2012)
  • Alive (2014)
  • SPARK (2016)
  • Spectrum (2019)
  • Silver Lining Suite (2021)
  • BLUE GIANT OST (2023)

Adaptations

  • BLUE GIANT (film score)
  • Provided main theme for 'Orion-za kara no Shoutaijou' (film)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
fast and fluent piano techniquefusion of classical, rock and fusion influenceshighly improvisational performance
Recurring Motifs
energetic driverhythmic shiftsdramatic structures

Legacy

A Japanese jazz pianist active on the international stage, acclaimed for technique and expressiveness. Her achievements include a Grammy Award, major festival appearances worldwide, and awards for film music.

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances in TV commercials and major events (e.g., Olympic opening ceremony) have increased mainstream exposure

Trivia

  • She uses the artist name 'Hiromi' internationally.
  • Discovered and encouraged by Chick Corea, which became a turning point in her career.
  • Regularly uses Yamaha pianos and Nord synthesizers.
  • Has sustained long-running residencies at New York's Blue Note club.