Hitomi Nishiyama -profile in English-

Hitomi Nishiyama

　 - Pianist, Composer -

Hitomi Nishiyama was born on November 17,1979, and grew up in Osaka, Japan. She took up classical piano at the age of 6, and started playing jazz at age 18 when serendipity came in the form of two deeply inspirational CDs -- Chick Corea’s Now He Sings, Now He Sobs, and Bill Evans’s Undercurrent.

While majoring in Jazz Piano at the Osaka College of Music, Hitomi embarked on her career as a professional pianist. After graduating from college, she devoted herself to the music of Enrico Pieranunzi and came to be noted for her exceptional performances at various Japanese houses of jazz.

From 2003 Hitomi began to focus on creating and performing original music. In September of 2004, Hitomi released her first and self-produced album titled I’m Missing You (Hitomi Nishiyama Trio, VNTM04001), comprising of eight original tunes which blended her love of Pieranunzi with a refreshing dose of European lyricism. I’m Missing You garnered her more than a favorable recognition, and resulted in marketing opportunities all over Japan. Hitomi’s ascent to national fame culminated in 2005 when her trio (Satoshi Otani Bs, Takehiro Shimizu Ds) won a grand prize at the Yokohama Jazz Promenade 2005.

In May of 2006, Hitomi teamed up with two of Sweden’s most talented musicians, Hans Backenroth (Bs) and Anders Kjellberg (Dr), and recorded Cubium (SOLJP0003/Spice of Life) in Stockholm. Cubium gained accolades even before its national release in September 2006, and further established Hitomi’s eminence in Japan. She was consequently invited to perform at numerous jazz festivals in Japan, including Yokohama Summer Jazz Festival, Konan Jazz Festival, Yokohama Jazz Promenade, and Hirakatajuku Jazz Street.

In July of 2007 Hitomi and her Swedish trio were invited to perform at the Stockholm Jazz Festival, making Hitomi its first Japanese guest musician. Her performance won rave reviews from the Swedish press.

More recently at the renowned Glenn Miller Cafe in Stockholm, Hitomi performed and recorded with Hans Backenroth (Bs), Paul Svanberg (Dr), and Karl-Martin Almqvist (Ts, Fl, B-Cl) for two nights of solid groove.

Back in Japan, Hitomi is looking forward to collaborating with two of her pianist friends to producing “Jazz Complex,” a musical event featuring a nascent generation of musicians creating original music in Japan (http://hitominishiyama.net/jc_flame/). Hitomi can be found performing regularly with her trio at numerous jazz establishments all over Japan. In October of 2007, Hitomi will be releasing her second album from Spice of Life.

Hitomi’s music is flavored by influences from both Enrico Pieranunzi and European jazz, and is recognized for its inimitable, exquisitely beautiful melodies. On the other hand, Hitomi’s performances with her trio radiate with passionate energy, and are known to cut across known genres. Her music is sought after by fans across Japan, and Hitomi is proving herself as one of Japan’s preeminent female pianists.

▼ You can also check My Space !　　 http://www.myspace.com/hitomipf

▼ Worldwide booking 　　http://www.spiceoflife.co.jp/
　　　　　　　　　　　　　Amuse Inc.　"Spice of Life"
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 11F Shibuya Infoss Tower, 20-1, Sakuragaokacho,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Shibuyaku Tokyo 150-8570 Japan　　Tel +81-3-5457-3331

▼ Hitomi can be contacted at　:　 info@hitominishiyama.net

【Discography】

"Hitomi Nishiyama in Stockholm～Live at Glenn Miller Cafe" 　SOLJP-0008　Spice of Life 2008 　Hitomi Nishiyama (piano)　Hans Backenroth (bass) 　Paul Svanberg (drums)　Karl-Martin Almqvist (ternor sax) 　Anders Kjellberg (drums)　　　　Click here to buy this CD
"Many Seasons / Hitomi Nishiyama Trio" 　SOLJP-0005　Spice of Life 2007 　Hitomi Nishiyama (piano) 　Hans Backenroth (bass) 　Anders Kjellberg (drums)　　　Click here to buy this CD
"Cubium　/ Hitomi Nishiyama Trio" 　SOLJP-0003　Spice of Life 2006 　Hitomi Nishiyama (piano) 　Hans Backenroth (bass) 　Anders Kjellberg (drums)　　　Click here to buy this CD
"I'm Missing You / Hitomi Nishiyama Trio" 　VNTM 04001　Steps Records 2004 　Hitomi Nishiyama (piano)　　Mitsuaki Hara (bass) 　Tsutomu Kawauchi (drums)　　　Sorry, Sold Out !

【Concert 2007】　in Sweden
July 21(sat) Stockholm Jazz Festival　

　　15:20- at Skeppsholmen Main Stage　"Hitomi Nishiyama Trio"
　　Hitomi Nishiyama : p　　Hans Backenroth : b　　Anders Kjellberg : ds

July 23(mon) - 24(tue)　Glenn Miller Cafe

　　Brunnsgatan 21A　　111 38 Stockholm　　Tel: 08-10 03 22 (direkt & programinfo)
　　Hitomi Nishiyama : piano , Hans Backenroth : bass , Paul Svanberg : drums
　　Karl-Martin Almqvist : Ts, Fl, B-Cl etc

【Gigs in Japan】　　"Hitomi Nishiyama Trio"

＜2008＞
　30 Jan(wed) - Mr.Kelly's 　[Osaka]　http://www.misterkellys.co.jp/
　11 Feb(mon) - TBA [Osaka]
　17 Feb(sun) - CREOLE　 [Kobe]　http://www.papageno.jp/creole/
　22 Feb(fri) - Candy　 [Kyoto]　http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~candy-h/
　25 Feb(mon) - New Combo [Fukuoka]　http://www.f2.dion.ne.jp/~combo/
　26 Feb(wed) - Bird [Hiroshima]　http://jazzclub-bird2206.rakurakuhp.com/
　20 Mar(thu) - Strings 　[Tokyo]　http://www.jazz-strings.com/
　21 Mar(fri) - Dolphy 　[Yokohama]　http://www.dolphy-jazzspot.com/
　22 Mar(sat) - TBA [Nagoya]
　27 Mar(thu) - Mr.Kelly's 　[Osaka]　http://www.misterkellys.co.jp/
　05 Apr(sat) - ACT City Hamamatsu
　29 Apr(tue) - CREOLE　 [Kobe]　http://www.papageno.jp/creole/
　09 May(fri) - Candy　 [Kyoto]　http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~candy-h/
　23 May(fri) - Dolphy 　[Yokohama]　http://www.dolphy-jazzspot.com/
　24 May(sat) - Strings 　[Tokyo]　http://www.jazz-strings.com/
　18 June(wed) - CREOLE　 [Kobe]　http://www.papageno.jp/creole/
　09 Jul(wed) - Mr.Kelly's 　[Osaka]　http://www.misterkellys.co.jp/
　17 Jul(thu)
　18 Jul(fri) - Dolphy 　[Yokohama]　http://www.dolphy-jazzspot.com/
　19 Jul(sat) - Strings 　[Tokyo]　http://www.jazz-strings.com/

"No Japanese pianists are known to have admitted to Enrico's influence, or have revealed such an influence through their own performances. Then, it should be evident that Nishiyama's originality--having established her own piano style and upgraded her compositional skills through inspirations from Enrico--is not to be found in any other new-generation Japanese female pianist. In a Jazz scene which harbors a number of Japanese female pianists in their twenties or thirties, Hitomi Nishiyama stands out with an originality distinct from the o
thers. 'No Black artists are among the musicians who have seriously influenced me in my life, which is why I am reluctant to conform to American jazz', says Nishiyama, thus coming across as an unprecedented type of pianist. Let us celebrate, listeners, the accomplishment of this album, which marks her departure."
(excerpt from a liner note by Hiroki Sugita)

"I wouldn't be going too far to say that the title track 'Cubium' represents the person which Hitomi Nishiyama is and what her music is about. Despite the almost-painfully transparent sounds and her dainty appearance, I keenly feel the 'caliber' and 'feverish temperature' within her. Although under the influences of European jazz, a sentimentalism is felt which is strong among Japanese, nay, a sentimentalism which only she can possess. Not to mention the fact that the bassist and the drummer provide a superb support beyond what is expected of a trio which has never played together. I sincerely hope that this album will be heard by more and more people."
　(Toshihiko Inoue, tenor/soprano saxophone player)

"'Steadfast'. Comes with tender words, but is not sweet. The pure and unyielding core of Hitomi Nishiyama's heart can be heard here. Her potential has spread its wings, aided by the serene air of North Europe and excellent musicians. Congratulations! I am hoping that she will proceed in the direction she believes in."
　 (Akira Ishii, pianist)