By Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 6.3.10
Buy CD: Place to Be
This is Japanese pianist Hiromi's sixth Telarc album under her own name; she also was featured in a release with the Stanley Clarke Trio, Jazz in the Garden
She was part of a small group on the earlier albums, and this is her first solo recording.
I was dazzled by her technique on 2007's Time Control
As for 2009's Jazz in the Garden, she couldn't help but swing with Clarke's group.
As a soloist here, though, Hiromi is performing her own compositions, and the jazz “feel” has almost disappeared. Her technique and execution are exemplary, particularly in her up-tempo tunes, but the neat, exciting, swinging chops that she demonstrated previously are missing in action.
Based on this album, Hiromi is more of a concert artist, in the style of George Winston, than a swinger like Oscar Peterson.
Still, one must stand in awe of her keyboard mastery.
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