Hiromi's Sonicwonder

Japanese piano virtuoso Hiromi brings Sonicwonder to Kuumbwa, showcasing the quartet that has earned her recognition as "one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history." Featuring bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpeter Adam O'Farrill, the group delivers Hiromi's distinctive musical alchemy: classic jazz-rock fusion melded with classically rooted virtuosity, entrancing funk, pop flourishes, and acoustic jazz through O'Farrill's trumpet.

Expect a whirlwind performance where Hiromi's "dazzling" technique meets her infectious stage presence. Critics describe her as "a vast weather system of sound" — thunderous chords alternating with delicate passages, all delivered with complete lack of self-consciousness as she moves between grand piano and multiple keyboards, laughing, standing, conducting, and clapping along. Her "ferocity of playing creates an energy as if she is caught in a whirlwind of notes," making for "completely electrifying" performances with "mind-blowing technique."

The show draws from their latest album OUT THERE, the quartet's second full-length together, as well as material from 2023's Sonicwonderland. After years of consistent touring, the group has developed what Hiromi calls "deep chemistry and fearless sense of interplay." As she explains: "Being with this group for well over a year, playing a lot of shows together and understanding each other, I started to see more of their strength and what shines in them the most."

Hiromi's accolades speak to her range: Grammy winner for collaboration with Stanley Clarke, 2024 Japanese Academy Award winner for film scoring, Tokyo Olympics performer, and creator of an NPR Tiny Desk Concert with over 2.5 million views. At Kuumbwa, witness why The New Yorker calls her artistry "dazzling" and why audiences describe her concerts as "5-star performances" with standing ovations that stretch for minutes.