上原廣美 / 爵士光譜 Hiromi / Spectrum

來自日本卻揚名國際，從1950年代起秋吉敏子到1990年代小曾根真，都是最好的例子。進入21世紀，從小被奇克•柯瑞亞讚賞的上原廣美，不負大師期許在2003年由美國Telarc唱片公司簽下長年合約，成為近十多年爵士音樂舞台的國際巨星。

 

  上原廣美自己曾說：「我不想為音樂賦予標題，而是聽過我音樂的人自由給予一個不同的名字。因為古典、爵士或搖滾都是我運用的元素。在我的演奏中，我認為音樂不需要一個名字」。在音樂當中悠遊自在，聽起來很隨興 ; 但也是多年累積的成果，才得以盡情揮灑。

 

  2019年的『即興光譜』專輯，正好在上原廣美40歲生日前夕發行，而這一天也是她音樂生涯30年的日子。「萬花筒」、「光譜」、「黑鳥」或是「總有藍月時」，標題上給予顏色記號，也如同是專輯抬頭的自由想像。回歸鋼琴獨奏，由指間流洩的琴聲譜出恣意色彩。動靜快慢的音符，不時在上原廣美的演奏中形成不同的情緒。『即興光譜』專輯收錄9首作品，其中還有以蓋希文藍色狂想曲為基本由她自己再次創作與改編長達22多分鐘的樂章，以及改編自John Coltrane的名曲Blue Train的全新創作，都值得期待。

 

Hiromi is determined to record a solo piano album every decade of her life, to document where she is as an artist and composer.  Her October release Spectrum, represents growth in her 30's and is the second solo album of her career.  Throughout the album's 9 tracks, her development in composition and technique are on full display.  These include 7 new compositions, a thoughtful interpretation of the Beatles "Blackbird" and a stunning medley, entitled "Rhapsody in Shades of Blue" that combines Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", John Coltrane's "Blue Train" and The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes".  Who besides Hiromi could bring three well regarded compositions in differing genres into one seamless track so effortlessly?

 

The album is also a tribute to Hiromi's first piano teacher who taught her how to see colors through music.  Speaking about her instructor Hiromi says; "When she wanted me to play something expressive or fiery, she colored the score paper with red pencil; I thought it was fascinating because the piano itself is mostly black and white – the keys, the finish – but it can create so many colors."