With jazz taught in universities and conservatories more widely than ever, there's no shortage of jazz chops in the world today. But pianist Hiromi Uehara has made an explosive art of her technical faculties. Nothing if not intensely energetic, her set on Toast of the Nation featured her powerful, percussive and constantly active movement in both hands.
Joined by her quartet (bassist Tony Grey, drummer Martin Valihora and guitarist Dave Fiuczynski), Hiromi was full of High-Romantic lyricism, jazz-fusion electronics and arena-rock bombast. Hiromi's Sonicbloom brought a high-energy kickoff to 2009's all-night broadcast, performing a set from where all four members met: the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.
Copyright 2009 GBH