We were in Philadelphia last weekend to hear Hiromi Uehara play piano. It was my husband’s birthday present to hear his favorite piano player along with bass player Anthony Jackson (Steely Dan) and drummer Simon Phillips (The Who) in The Trio Project. We were blown away.
I had watched some of her video’s so I knew a little of what to expect, but there is nothing more exciting than to be present while someone exhibits the sheer mastery of their gift. I was entranced.
What I witnessed was a powerful lesson on the impact of someone stepping into their full power. Her mastery suggests a strong state of mind and attitude that proceeded it. Allow me to share what I learned from watching and listening to Hiromi.
AUTHENTICITY
She comes onto the stage and gives a simple and humble bow before sitting down at her grand piano. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a wild mess, her dress is deceptively simple gray linen, with a single tie on the side, above black ankle tights and hip black/gold sequenced white platform shoes that sparkle in the lights. Nothing in her attire speaks of the tradition of a piano player. She is distinctively herself. This is what you love and know to expect with Hiromi.
Why do we work so hard to fill some mold of whatever our trade is supposed to look like? We have our work uniforms, literally and figuratively, that are meant to add the serious note of authority to our trade. Hiromi has clearly never adopted those rules.
It really is ok to simply be yourself
PASSION AND JOY
She begins to play, her finger’s flying across the keys with such dizzyingly rapid precision it takes your breath away. She is soon transported, taking you along for a ride that thrills and amazes. The crowd goes wild; her playing is so spectacular. She throws her head back and grins, moving with her thrilling playing. She then looks to the crowd while playing, grinning with pleasure and holds us in her gaze. She is completely filled with the passion and joy of her music.
When you do what you love and love what you do, it completely fills you with joy. Why hide it? It is clear that Hiromi can’t and that is what we are there to see. The joy of being fully alive with your talent. Have we given ourselves permission to fill ourselves with the passion and joy of what we love?
Embrace your gifts – let the passion and joy it gives you be your guide
DISCIPLINE AND TECHNIQUE
This performance is not about showmanship, though she is certainly a master of it. Hiromi’s comfortable stage presence is what comes from extreme discipline and mastery of technique that began at a young age. She has taken her talent seriously and applied it with a disciple we can only imagine. Mastery only comes from discipline.
If we want to be a master at our trade, we have to take our gifts seriously and steadily work at it. It is not to be taken lightly, nor should we expect it to come in a snap.
Steady and disciplined work proceeds mastery
EXPAND THE EDGES
Hiromi is original. Her work pushes the edges of what is considered standard jazz. She is playing with gifted musicians who are also virtuosos of their craft. Together they have expanded a genre of music to create something you haven’t heard before. From her rapid fire playing to tender, gentle and slow expression, Hiromi is fearless in her creativity. We are watching genius in action.
We are hungry for this kind of originality. We are bombarded by media messages that outline fast formulas to popular stardom in every field. If we believe it, we lose our own creative genius. If we seek it, we fall victim to marketing for mass consumption, not original inspiration. We have to find our own internal muse to be innovative. It takes time – mastery is worth it.
To push the boundaries of your trade takes time and originality
The best way to understand the impact of an evening with Hiromi is to listen to it for yourself. Her YouTube video from one of her Trio Project Performances says it all. You will understand – I hope you enjoy it too! https://youtu.be/t7I2bvqwKFg
If you want to explore what fills you with passion and joy and from there discover your path to mastery, Transformational Life Coaching will help you. Through my individual coaching and exploratory workshops, you can create a more fulfilling and meaningful life. For more information, you are welcome to contact me here or at my website: www.spectrumtransformation.com .
