In a breathtaking manner and at lightning speed, she sweeps over the black and white keys, shaking out all idioms from jazz to boogie-woogie and funk to jazz-rock from her sleeve. Then she downshifts several gears to celebrate a balladesque fusion of jazz with (romantic) classical music, similar to her colleagues Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau.

Such a passionate musician has correspondingly numerous admirers among prominent jazz colleagues. At just 17 years old, Hiromi was brought on stage by none other than Chick Corea to improvise with him. Now, Hiromi returns to the Piano Festival Ruhr with her current quartet featuring Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Hadrien Feraud (bass), and Gene Coye (drums) – and she starts off like the legendary fire brigade.