Senri Oe – Hmmm

By starrymag | September 16, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I define my music as “Beyond Jazz” or “Senri Jazz.”

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Thelonias Monk, Bill Evans, Charlie Parker and Burt Bacharach are my biggest influences.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Togetherness.”

A) Amidst the pandemic I had been thinking about a lot of things. Living in the heart of Brooklyn, my apartment is located close to train noises, car horns, etc….  But that day I couldn’t hear anything other than an ambulance siren.  started to write “Togetherness” for essential people who need to restore their peace of mind.

At the same time, I thought it could be delivered to all people who get separated, can’t stay together and who are missing each other.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) We can climb over this adversity with a lot of imagination and humor in this pandemic.  Economic supremacy might mark the end and we will be able to recreate new happiness than ever and be satisfied with our newly defined civilization.

 

Q) What emotions or feelings did you have going through you when recording this song?

A) I was so scared because Brooklyn was the one of the biggest pandemic places in NY. I thought everyone had a same feeling as I was. We needed something beautiful makes us happier, safer and more peaceful.  That is why I COULD write “Togetherness.” I believe it would be the seed of FLOWER for people in this Devastated World by COVID19.

 

Q) What challenges did you face while creating this song and how did you overcome them?

A) Jazz musicians normally do their own solos in the middle of tune. However, I skipped a solo in “Togetherness,” which is very challenging for me. It’s a humming song.  I can’t use a gimmick, trick or any device.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I am a pianist who makes instrumental music, but my melodies are lyrical in my head. This is the way I create my own jazz music. My first thought is to move someone’s heart, which makes me put my BODY and SOUL in front of my piano and then I put my heart on the keys with my fingers. The first sound and melody are about two bars. It’s like saying “Hi!” to a stranger on the street and if she or he turns back, I begin to tell my story in one breath.  This is like a play. If I succeed the first eight bars, it seems to get on the right track which shows me the next GPS step to the end.  My compositions always go along together with words.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) Sometimes one to three weeks, sometimes fifteen minutes.  If I feel any apprehension to proceed, I bravely stop doing it.  I don’t touch the piano for a while and when I feel I miss it I lightly touch it and if it feels good it’s time to resume. Generally, it takes fifteen minutes for me, not that much time.

 

Q) Your new album Hmmm is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) The themes are “life’s bitterness and sweetness,” “a marriage of jazz and pop” and “the trinity as a trio.”

 

Q) What songs off this album hold a special significance for you and why?

A) Of course, “Orange Desert ” – it’s the first single which is an elastic rhythm.  Second would be “Re:Vision” which has the oriental harmony and melodic phrase which is an homage to me in the pop era. The third one is “Indoor Voices,” which expresses “stillness and motion” like a tea ceremony, but I highly recommend all nine tunes on this album.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Hmmm as a whole?

A) Jazz is ever changing and updating:  swing jazz, bebop, cool bap, free jazz, fusion, crossover, and it’s still is changing day by day. “Senri Jazz” is my original style to let you feel your past, present and future. The various types of musical elements take you to any time you want to go — like a time machine.  Delicate lyrical melodies soothe and relax you whenever and wherever you go.

 

Q) In past live shows what were some of your favorite songs to perform and why?

A) With my live trio at a Korean Restaurant in St. Mark Place in NYC when I was still studying at The New School For Jazz.  Honestly, I forgot the title of the tune, but the more our performance escalated the more people on the street started to give us a big round of applause. That was so exciting. I think it was one of Charlie Parker’s tunes.

At the Detroit Jazz Festival, I was a solo piano player and got very nervous on stage. At first people seemed quiet and when I started the tune ” The Adventure of Uncle Senri ” they started to give me lots of applause and then they gave me a standing ovation at the end. Of course, my CDs sold very well after the show.

At Birdland in NYC, Ari Hoenig (drums) and Mat Clohesy (bass) and myself drove the chemistry in “Re:Vision” from Hmmm.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Blues Alley in Washington, DC:  it is a legendary treasury jazz mecca in Washington, DC. For a long time, I have adored this venue so now I feel it is like Heaven.

Birdland in NYC:  in their green room I ran into a guy who was cleaning in the hallway.  He was the owner, Gianni Valenti. I learned how much he loves his venue and is proud of jazz music. Birdland Theatre is always so amazing to perform at and to see performances at, for anyone who loves jazz music.

Blue Note Tokyo:  I am honored to perform there because I am a huge fan of the club.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Lady Gaga – she is a serene genuine musician who is able to perform any type of music. I want to collaborate with her to make some Original jazz standard together which anyone can hum.

Yo-Yo Ma – his music always seems open minded and is simply, emotional and warm. I would love to make some beatiful melodies and harmonies together.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

1)    The soundtrack of “Fistful of Dollars” by Ennio Morricone.  Why?: Very Logical. There are a lot of things I can learn from listening to it, and because I am a huge fan of western cowboy movies.

2)    Coldplay’s “Everyday Life”

We used to talk about the Beatles. I would tell the next generation about Coldplay.

 

Q) I absolutely love your artwork/photography. What is it about your sweet dog Peace that inspires you so much?

A) Peace is my muse.  We met in Tokyo in 2007.  We are a company and the duo is a drawing of our lives.  My label name is PND, which is the abbreviation of “Peace Never Die.”  She became fourteen years old when I became sixty years old.  We are like Piccaso and Lump.

 

Q) Where can people go online to possibly purchase or even commission pieces?

A) You just click on peaceneverdie.com.  I will mail back to you and deliver the CD to you with a handwritten card.

 

Q) Cooking seems to be a passion for you. Was it always a big part of your life or has the pandemic brought out the chef in you?

A) Cooking is a big part of my life.  Every meal is the last supper for me. You don’t have to make a fancy meal, but you have to make what you want.  Sometimes I make Japanese mild curry rice with handmade pickles and sometimes just seasonal vegetable soup and multi-grain bread.  Sometimes it’s just water and lemon. Those are my passionate creations.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Because music is only complete with listeners. I am an independent artist, but I have to present my music to my listeners, so it is very important to connect with them in any way. Facebook is for older people, Twitter is for busy people and Instagram is for any generation.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I am a Jazz Composer and Pianist in Brooklyn, New York.   I am always a searcher who is interested in the next chapter of my life. Continuing with the latest album Hmmm, I am narrowing down a new song for my coming album. Be safe and healthy and see you in soon in our brave future. Be music!