Hiromi, April 11-14, 8/9:30pm
A native of Shizuoka, Japan, pianist and composer Hiromi Uehara studied at the progressive Yamaha School of Music as well as receiving a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music. It was through her musical studies that she went on to develop her diverse sense of style, encompassing everything from Bach to King Crimson. Uehara is a recipient of the Recording Industry Association of Japan’s (RIAJ) Jazz Album of the Year Award for her debut release, Another Mind. She’s also responsible for winning releases such as Brain, Spiral and Time Control
The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., CC, 310.271.9039, jazzbakery.org, $30/$35 Fri-Sat
Billy Childs, April 12, 8/10pm
Native Angeleno and USC graduate Billy Childs began piano lessons at age six. Later, he apprenticed and played with Freddie Hubbard for six years. Additionally, he has collaborated with Dianne Reeves, Bobby Hutcherson, Luciana Souza, Chick Corea as well as numerous other gifted artists. The multiple Grammy Award winner is an outstanding pianist-composer who has commissioned works for the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has a habit of drawing rave reviews wherever he plays.
The Vic for Jazz, 2640 Main St., SM, 888.367.5299, thevicforjazz.com, reservations required, 2 item minimum, $20