Philadelphia, PA: The Annenberg Center continues its thrilling 40th Anniversary Season with the debut of Japanese jazz prodigy Hiromi, November 12, 2011 at 8 PM. With a penchant for taking the stage in a “blow-your-hair-back display of drama and athleticism," Hiromi's infectious and brazen energy defies the conventional parameters of jazz and pushes musicianship and composition to unprecedented levels of sophistication (NPR). This is not your average jazz performance. Tickets start at $20. For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.
Hiromi's one-night-only presentation features tunes from her album, Place To Be, a musical travel journal of the many places around the world that have left an indelible impression on her creative sensibilities. More than just a chronicle of her world travels, Place To Be represents a personal milestone. It is a tribute to the sound of her twenties, a journey that helped her develop and mature as a musician and as a person. A dynamo of a performer, Hiromi will reach into the piano and manipulate its strings, “playing dizzying runs of jaw-dropping technique" (NPR).
Born in Shizuka, Japan in 1979, Hiromi took her first piano lessons at age six. In 1999, the wunderkind came to the United States to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was an environment that expanded the way she saw music and pushed the limits of her artistic talents even further. Since the release of her debut album in 2003, Hiromi has performed with jazz greats including Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke and has been heralded as one of the brightest new lights on today's jazz piano landscape.
Artists and Audiences Changing Lives
Hiromi is part of the Artists & Audience Changing Lives program, an Annenberg Center initiative that presents renowned performers not only because of their unique artistry, but also because of their tireless dedication to important causes. Though Hiromi's album sheds light on the many locales from which she garners inspiration, Japan keeps a special hold on her heart. After the devastating Japanese earthquake in March 2011, Hiromi has donated all the proceeds from her CD sales while on tour. Ticket holders can designate part of their ticket purchase to benefit Arts in Action-Japan, a grant program founded by the Asian Cultural Council that helps arts communities rebuild in the aftermath of disasters. The program enables artists to recover critical materials, participate in restoration and reconstruction efforts and share the power the arts can play in emotional healing and physical rebuilding, the Artists & Audiences Changing Lives donation will be directed specifically to Hiromi's fellow artists in Japan. Audience members have the opportunity to donate 10% of their ticket purchase to Arts in Action—Japan! Ticket buyers can mention Artists & Audiences Changing Lives on the phone and at the box office or visit AnnenbergCenter.org/ACL to enroll in this free program.
INSIGHTS—Pre-show chat with Hiromi
November 12 @ 7 PM
Audience members can attend a pre-show discussion with Hiromi and Stanford Makishi, Director of Programs for the Asian Arts Council/Arts in Action. Moderated by Lolita Jackson, Annenberg Center Board Member and Penn Alumna, this Artists & Audiences Changing Lives chat will focus on Hiromi's efforts to support the disaster relief in Japan as well as how Arts in Action has been working to help Japan's arts communities rebuild after the earthquake. This event will take place at 7 PM in Room 516 on the Upper Mezzanine.
Hiromi's one-night-only presentation features tunes from her album, Place To Be, a musical travel journal of the many places around the world that have left an indelible impression on her creative sensibilities. More than just a chronicle of her world travels, Place To Be represents a personal milestone. It is a tribute to the sound of her twenties, a journey that helped her develop and mature as a musician and as a person. A dynamo of a performer, Hiromi will reach into the piano and manipulate its strings, “playing dizzying runs of jaw-dropping technique" (NPR).
Born in Shizuka, Japan in 1979, Hiromi took her first piano lessons at age six. In 1999, the wunderkind came to the United States to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was an environment that expanded the way she saw music and pushed the limits of her artistic talents even further. Since the release of her debut album in 2003, Hiromi has performed with jazz greats including Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke and has been heralded as one of the brightest new lights on today's jazz piano landscape.
Artists and Audiences Changing Lives
Hiromi is part of the Artists & Audience Changing Lives program, an Annenberg Center initiative that presents renowned performers not only because of their unique artistry, but also because of their tireless dedication to important causes. Though Hiromi's album sheds light on the many locales from which she garners inspiration, Japan keeps a special hold on her heart. After the devastating Japanese earthquake in March 2011, Hiromi has donated all the proceeds from her CD sales while on tour. Ticket holders can designate part of their ticket purchase to benefit Arts in Action-Japan, a grant program founded by the Asian Cultural Council that helps arts communities rebuild in the aftermath of disasters. The program enables artists to recover critical materials, participate in restoration and reconstruction efforts and share the power the arts can play in emotional healing and physical rebuilding, the Artists & Audiences Changing Lives donation will be directed specifically to Hiromi's fellow artists in Japan. Audience members have the opportunity to donate 10% of their ticket purchase to Arts in Action—Japan! Ticket buyers can mention Artists & Audiences Changing Lives on the phone and at the box office or visit AnnenbergCenter.org/ACL to enroll in this free program.
INSIGHTS—Pre-show chat with Hiromi
November 12 @ 7 PM
Audience members can attend a pre-show discussion with Hiromi and Stanford Makishi, Director of Programs for the Asian Arts Council/Arts in Action. Moderated by Lolita Jackson, Annenberg Center Board Member and Penn Alumna, this Artists & Audiences Changing Lives chat will focus on Hiromi's efforts to support the disaster relief in Japan as well as how Arts in Action has been working to help Japan's arts communities rebuild after the earthquake. This event will take place at 7 PM in Room 516 on the Upper Mezzanine.
