FIRST NOTEUehara Hiromi1rank/position

FIRST NOTE

This piece performed by the trio JASS in the film BLUE GIANT is a masterpiece with a dynamic structure that weaves together passionate saxophone, powerful drums, and Hiromi Uehara’s outstanding piano performance over a substantial runtime of about 7 minutes and 50 seconds.

While rooted in jazz, it fully showcases Uehara’s signature musicality through a fusion of diverse genres such as classical, rock, and fusion, delivering expressive power that deeply moves listeners even without lyrics.

Included on the film’s original soundtrack released in February 2023, it stands out as one of the most striking works among the 30-plus new compositions Uehara wrote for the project.

It’s great as background music for studying or working, and is also recommended for those who want to feel the depth of jazz or immerse themselves in the film’s world.

Place to BeUehara Hiromi2rank/position

Hiromi Uehara – Place to Be

This also falls under the jazz category, but it’s a piano instrumental.

The melody conveys both the strength of Japan’s recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake and uniquely Japanese values like wabi-sabi.

It’s a moving piece, yet because of its jazzy tone, it’s also a song I often listen to when I want to relax.

Deep Into The NightUehara Hiromi3rank/position

Hiromi Uehara – Deep Into Night

An expansive, roughly nine-minute composition released in February 2007 by jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara.

It is characterized by an exploratory atmosphere that feels like diving into the depths of night.

The piece appears on Time Control, the first album from her project Hiromi’s Sonicbloom featuring David Fiuczynski.

The sound world woven by the piano’s beautiful timbre and a commanding bass solo invites listeners on a musical journey.

When you want to boost concentration or work with a calm mindset, try playing this as background music.

It will likely create a special space where you can lose track of time and become fully immersed.

Summer rainUehara Hiromi4rank/position

Homeward Bound Summer Rain Hiromi Cover

There’s no doubt that she is the most famous female pianist abroad.

People overseas even say that when it comes to Japanese prog, it’s her.

She’s active in a wide range of settings—not only performing solo piano live, but also playing in a band format with drums and bass.

In this piece, Hiromi Uehara’s improvisation makes it instantly clear just how extraordinary her technique is.

Chick Corea: SpainUehara Hiromi5rank/position

Chick Corea & Hiromi Uehara – Spain

Born on March 26, 1979, and a graduate of Berklee College of Music.

With a stellar career that includes performing with Chick Corea at age 16, graduating at the top of the class from Berklee, and contributing to a Grammy-winning album, he is a leading figure among Japanese jazz pianists.

Chick Corea & Hiromi Uehara Medley – Hiromi Uehara & Chick Corea.flvUehara Hiromi & Chikku Koria6rank/position

Chick Corea & Hiromi Uehara Medley – Hiromi Uehara & Chick Corea.flv

A renowned jazz pianist performs famous pieces in collaboration.

Both of them are top-notch in technique and expressiveness, and they each possess a uniquely original worldview, so it unfolds into a world that is, well, strangely wonderful in the best sense.

It’s neither classical nor pop—this feels like what jazz is.

AliveUehara Hiromi7rank/position

Hiromi The Trio Project performing “Alive” (Live in the Studio)

Hiromi Uehara can rightly be called one of Japan’s leading jazz pianists.

Since her debut with a piano trio, she has gone on to perform solo, explored a quartet with guitar, and in 2011 launched The Trio Project with bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips, achieving further musical evolution.

Among the trio’s repertoire, one of the most technically demanding odd-meter pieces is the title track of her 2014 album “ALIVE.” Amid the whirlwind of shifting time signatures, the most complex section is an astonishing 27/16.

Can you keep up with that rhythm?