Hiromi Uehara, Shaking Hearts with Soulful Artistry

A Conversation on Creativity and Connection Hiromi Uehara

With Hiromi Uehara at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, 2006

Truly effective marketing, like great art, is about authenticity, innovation, and deeply connecting with your audience. This timeless interview with the extraordinary Hiromi Uehara, conducted in 2006, offers insights into her creative process, her dedication to originality, and her unique approach to engaging her listeners. While seemingly about music, Hiromi's philosophy resonates deeply with the principles we apply to build powerful brands and meaningful marketing strategies. Discover her thoughts on individuality, passion, and 'shaking the heart' – concepts that are just as vital in the business world as they are on the music stage.

When Hiromi Uehara burst onto the music scene in 2003 with her debut album, Another Mind, she didn't just arrive, she ignited -some would say - a whole new genre of jazz. At just 24, this prodigious pianist and composer masterfully blended analogue and digital sounds, seamlessly navigating jazz, classical, electronica, rock, and R&B. Her dynamic virtuosity in this instrumental landscape is simply unparalleled. I had the pleasure of meeting her at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, where the warmly dim lighting and rich, dark interior provided a perfect counterpoint to the faded photographs of jazz legends adorning the walls, their musical echoes still seemingly breathing within the very fabric of the venue.

Her hometown of Hamamatsu, she explained, is famously known for its green tea farms and the Yamaha piano factory, a beautiful and peaceful place she hopes I might visit someday. Her own journey with the piano began at the tender age of six when her mother took her to her very first lesson. Far from being nervous, she recalled, she was simply "very excited."

Barry: How are you?

Hiromi Uehara: I am fine thank you! (Smiles and stretches slightly)

How was your journey to London?

Hiromi: My journey was great! It’s my third time here. However, if I am here for a gig I never get time to see the city. Two years ago, I did do some sightseeing – I was like wow the London Eye and Big Ben (big smile). They were really nice!

How has your personal life changed since the release of your first album, ‘Another Mind’?

Hiromi: Well, I am basically living on a plane! (She laughs).

- And what is that like? It’s fun, but not easy. But I love performing so much! The joy is to have the opportunity to be able to perform all around the world (Plays with her hair and smiles).

Your music is very unique and individual! To what extent has Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Noriko Hakita influenced your music?

Hiromi: Ah, so much! I am influenced from all different people, not only musicians. They made me realise that I have to be very original and have a strong musical voice. I didn’t want to be a copycat of anybody. The way to respect all the people I love is to eat the music (leans forward), have it in my blood and bones, and try to explore it in as much different ways as possible to create my own identity.

The ‘three piece jazz’ Spiral album shifts in tempo and evokes feelings and sets moods. What were your initial ideas and approaches when making the album?

Hiromi: I really wanted make my band into a three-piece orchestra! Because in jazz music a lot of the times the pieces are based on the main person accompanied with side performers. But I wanted every body to be the main dish. So sometimes we can change roles and the drummer can become the main dish – and I can become the drummer using the very percussive side of the piano. Always grooving and playing bass and play higher strings and be melodic. Each of us has both a rhythmic and lyrical side to our playing. So we are always taking turns in being lyrical or rhythmic.

"The way to respect all the people I love is to eat the music, have it in my blood and bones, and try to explore it in as much different ways as possible to create my own identity. I didn’t want to be a copycat of anybody."

What are your key messages behind your music?

Hiromi: Passion and love! I am playing the music I love and I really play it from my heart, and whatever the out form is – it doesn’t matter whether it’s art or music. The really strong key thing always comes direct to your heart. Even if it’s a visual thing it doesn’t come to your eyes! Even if it is a listening thing it doesn’t come to your ears, it goes directly to your spirit! And that is what I am aiming for! (Smiles).

- Spirativity. The combination of our spirit and creativity! Yes! (points at me enthusiastically)

How is the relationship between you and the band?

Hiromi: The relationship has been good. We have been together for three and half years now. We always get into stupid fights (laughs), but we always have respect for each other, and we love music – so there is always a bond!

They are artists in their own right, so how do you find the time to tour and work together?

Hiromi: They are very loyal and devoted to my music. I am very lucky to have two of them in my band, and I really respect them!

There is an evident conversational dialogue between you and the band when performing. Could you describe the spiritual dialogue between yourself and the piano when performing?

Hiromi: For the piano and me it is always a blind date (puts hands together)! I meet different pianos every single day (smiles and laughs). I can’t take my piano with me like a bassist can take his instrument. So whenever I arrive I am a bit nervous to see what kind of piano is waiting for me. Sometimes it is very easy to work with and sometimes very hard – I am always hoping to meet a good piano.

And how is the piano tonight?

Hiromi: It’s very hard! (Frown) It’s bit like a toy piano. But once I meet the piano I have no other choice, because I need to have a good date right! So I am trying to please the piano to have the best outcome (winks)!

What do you feel has been your best performance? And Why?

Hiromi: I hope it is tonight (laughs)! Whenever I do a performance I always hope it is the best day of my life. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t (continues laughing).

Is there a place you travel to within yourself when performing?

Hiromi: No – For me I always need to have two sides to me when I play! I need to be a performer and at the same time the producer. So I need to be somewhere up in the air and producing my music. I can’t just be the performer; otherwise I can’t see the whole view. I need the big view!

You successfully combine the grand piano and the electric keyboard. Describe the relationship between both.

Hiromi: The first reason why I started to use the keyboard is because I really like the bending sound of the guitar and bass player. I can’t bend the piano sound. I really like the feel behind it. I feel it adds flavour and character to my music.

When you were younger you played to colours under Noriko Hakita. Do you have a favourite colour? And how does this colour represent Hiromi?

Hiromi: I love all kinds of colours! I totally love all kinds of colours! I don’t think I would be happy with one colour!

- What colour best symbolises your life at present? I have no idea! (laughs). I have always liked black and white! It is simple and the colour of the piano.

- Unless it’s an all white piano right? Oh yeah, but I don’t really like those pianos (continues to laugh and smile)

How has your music helped you develop as a person?

Hiromi: It taught me how to always be patient and focused, and to train the little concentration in myself.

And your hairstyle is always fantastically random! Is there a relationship to your music?

Hiromi: Well, I love playing with my hair (makes gestures). You know some artists just go and play, and I have no objections to that – but I don’t like to do that. People take their very precious time to come to my concert, and they give me the opportunity to share two hours of their lives. I want to do the best I can, for visuals, sound and everything!

- Do you do it yourself? Yeah! (smiles)

- Wow, that’s great!

What is your philosophy in life?

Hiromi: To be nice to people and make them happy (laughs)!

What are your future plans and dreams?

Hiromi: To keep playing music! (laughs)

- I recently read that you would like to make soundtracks to movies. Yeah (enthusiastically). Actually I am doing one now for a Japanese film! But I don’t think I can name the film! Sorry!

"Art is not that much needed in life, we only need sleep and food. But why do people want art? Because they want to feel emotion! So emotionally moving things is great art to me! ... Even if it is a listening thing it doesn’t come to your ears, it goes directly to your spirit! And that is what I am aiming for!"

Totally understandable! And what advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Hiromi: No way (laughing), I can’t give any advice! I should receive some tips instead! I really have nothing that I can teach – I am still young (smiling). Give me some tips… (eyes open wide)

So what do you do that helps to improve your music?

Hiromi: Just work your… (laughing) work hard! Just keep working hard until you can do something you want to do! We all progress at different speeds and in different ways, so be patient and keep working hard!

What do you usually do without fail before taking to the stage?

Hiromi: Stretch! (laughs)

Is there something you do everyday without fail?

Hiromi: Eat well! I love food!  (laughing)

- What type of food do you like? Any kind! Good food! (smiles)

What is the difference between a good and great artist?

Hiromi: Oh my goodness (laughing)! That’s a hard question! There are only great artists I think! But Individuality and originality is what separates good and great artists! How much they can move people with what they do! If they can shake the heart with what they do, is the key! Art is not that much needed in life, we only need sleep and food. But why do people want art? Because they want to feel emotion! So emotionally moving things is great art to me!

Do you find anything in particular inspiring?

Hiromi: Anything. It could be fine art or a conversation I have with somebody! Everything is inspiring!

Thank you very much for your time!

Hiromi: Thank you very much! Thank you! (Smiles and nods head)

I conducted this interview back in 2006 (during my final year at university, which featured as part of a cross cultural project I created), yet it remains as pertinent today as it was then. On that October evening, the self-possessed hairstylist (a nod to her distinctive style) took to the stage, and an almost childlike anticipation rippled through the audience. An ethereal energy seemed to envelop every single person. Hiromi herself glided across the piano with an effortlessness that brought to mind a newly resurrected, radiant butterfly. Her sudden shifts in tempo and harmony were utterly breath-taking, unlike anything I had ever witnessed. In a split second, her delicate touch could have you drifting amongst the clouds, only for her ferocity to plunge you into the heart of a rainforest the next.

With every change in rhythm, the audience was completely awe-inspired, responding with abundant applause. And if you dared to tear your eyes away from the performance, you'd find someone in every corner of Ronnie Scott's, their body swaying to the very heartbeat of Hiromi's music. So, why is Hiromi so beloved? It's simply because she remains true to her heart, expressing her profound passion through constant interaction with the audience – smiling, laughing, and winking. Her energy, a kaleidoscope of colours, ebbs and flows, sinking into everyone, moving them like puppets on strings with her soulful artistry always in full bloom, much like a cherry blossom in spring.

Interview by Barry Crisp

Hiromi Uehara: https://www.hiromiuehara.com/

Ronnie Scott's: https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/