Speaking of improvising - Blackbird+ (Uehara Hiromi)

ShiroKuro

I saw this video when it first came out in November, so maybe someone here posted it, but if not, here is Uehara Hiromi playing/improvising on Blackbird by the Beatles plus Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. I love the video both because of the music and because I love watching the transcribed score. I don’t know who the transcriber is, but he/she is amazing! As for her playing, I might like to hear a little more of the lyric part of Blackbird, and a little more of the obviously recognizable parts of Jesu, but that’s ok. It’s just lovely. Her playing is sublime and piano sounds gorgeous as well.

pianocat

ShiroKuro Her whole interview with Rick Beato was great (as was Brad Mehldau’s). She seems like a really cool person to hang around with.

Beato is cataloging the definitive stories of these artists in their own words. His interviews are fantastic. The one he did with Keith Jarrett (who suffered a couple of strokes back in 2018 and can't really play anymore) is heartbreaking.

ShiroKuro

Then there’s also Brad Mehldau’s version of Blackbird, which even with his improvising, is a more straight presentation, but just as lovely.

navindra

ShiroKuro Nice! From the simple start of that one, I enjoyed the whole piece a lot more than I thought I would! Thanks for sharing!

ShiroKuro

Then there’s this, Uehara Hiromi improvising through the Canon in D. I always love her playing because it feels like she’s just talking to you. I suppose a lot of jazz players are like that, but I feel it especially with her. That’s what I would want to do if I learned how to improvise, just be able to talk the music.

Anyway, this is super fun. Also, sorry, this is the last one I’ll post this morning! 😅

ShiroKuro

pianocat oh woo! I didn’t know about those interviews, I should go find them to watch!! Although I’ll have to steel myself for the Keith Jarrett one. 😢

Simonb

Hi @ShiroKuro

I saw Hiromi in concert about 10 years ago with Anthony Jackson (who sadly passed away a few months ago) on bass and Simon Phillips on drums, A memorable concert. Brad Melhdau is on my list of must see Pianists; one day!

I also highly recommend Rick Beato's interviews. He's a very good musician himself.
Other notable musicians that I remember he interviewed include:
Ron Carter
Steve Gadd
Pat Metheny
Sting
Rick Wakeman

Cheers

ShiroKuro

Simonb I saw Hiromi in concert

Oooh! I'm jealous! We were still living in Japan when she started to get attention, so I saw her on TV a lot (Japanese TV has better music programs than US TV, AFAICT) But that's the closest I ever came to her.

Perhaps some day!

pianoloverus

Two more terrific recordings of this very popular piece among jazz pianists:

ShiroKuro

pianoloverus those are great! I love Joey Alexander !

HeartKeys

these are all wonderful. thanks for sharing, everyone.

perhaps i'll try to do my version for the next recital! : )