Born in Hamamatsu, Japan, Hiromi was first exposed to jazz music at the age of 6 after her piano teacher introduced her to the work of pianists Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson. Soon after, Hiromi enrolled in the Yamaha School of Music and started her journey in songwriting. By 17 years old, she was invited to perform with American jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea at a concert in Tokyo.
Hiromi continued her jazz career by attending Berklee College of Music, and she soon became a mentee under inspirational pianist Ahmad Jamal.
Hiromi’s journey since her early days has been marked by acclaim and high-profile appearances, including performances at some of the world’s most esteemed jazz festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz, the North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Newport Jazz Festival.
Her artistry has earned recognition from major outlets, such as The New York Times, and NPR. In 2021, she even took the global stage as a performer at the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Hiromi released her debut album, “Another Mind,” in 2003 and went on to create many more solo albums before establishing her band, Sonicwonder. She became entranced with the idea of a new sound for her new phase of music and set out to find it.
She invited bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpet player Adam O’Farrill to join her. Sonicwonder, however, is more than just a band; it is a conversation you can hear through its music. HIROMI'S Sonicwonder’s latest album “Out There” released this past April, marks Hiromi’s boldest artistic leap yet, expansive, electrifying, and cinematic in its scope. It’s a sonic landscape in which melodies take flight, rhythms bend and contort, and every surprising turn feels deliberate and purposeful.
Sonicwonder thrives on unpredictability but never descends into chaos. Its boundary-pushing approach comes not from a desire to shock but from a deeper search for musical authenticity.
The album kicks off with “Wanted,” a track that cleverly mirrors how the band came to be. It begins with Hiromi alone at the piano, her voice leading the charge. Gradually, the bass joins, followed by drums, and finally the trumpet. It’s more than just an arrangement choice; it’s a musical nod to how she discovered each of her bandmates in that exact order. Like putting together the ideal lineup piece by piece, the track plays out as a musical version of the band’s formation.
Watch the band’s Tiny Desk Concert here:
Today, Hiromi continues to redefine the limits of jazz, fusing genres and technical brilliance in ways that feel both fresh and meaningful. Yet, beneath all the complexity and innovation lies a fundamental goal: to connect with her bandmates, with the music, and with anyone open enough to take the journey with her. You can take part in this unforgettable experience on Oct. 2, in Shannon Hall. Buy your tickets now!