上原ひろみ
In 2020, when entertainment events including music were being canceled one after another, Hiromi Uehara was able to close out the year with a live performance at Blue Note Tokyo as part of "Save Live Music Returns." Since being shocked by her concert (a performance as "The Trio Project") which I saw for the first time in 2012, I have attended many times, and tonight marks my 8th time. However, tonight is my first time hearing her perform with a piano quintet accompanied by a string quartet. The previous "Save Live Music" held at the same venue in September was a program that added only a few touches to her previous performances, but "~ Returns," including tonight, consists entirely of new works. Although the title is a continuation of the previous performance, everything is new—the songs, the setlist, the band members, etc.—so expectations are naturally high. And how was the performance? Needless to say, the music performed was wonderful. It was a very turbulent year, but I was able to bathe in superb sound at the end of the year, and thanks to that, it looks like I'll have a good New Year.