Jazz star Senri Oe has brought innovation and fun to the genre, using his vibrant piano play to captivate audiences live at marquee events around the world or through video. The true brightness of his palette comes from his personality, a welcoming smile, music and unity-loving aura that’s all about “Togetherness” – his song featured by The Associated Press, USA Today, and The Washington Post among others.
A former pop music superstar in Japan, Senri’s transition to Jazz has been a critically-applauded evolution. He’s released six albums since 2008, with current LP ‘Hmmm’ and it’s single “Re: Vision” both hailed as masterpieces. Senri Oe took time out his busy schedule to answer our “2020 Twenty Questions” questionnaire! We hope THIS INTERVIEW entertains and inspires you.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you to be alive?
10! I’m always happy to be alive after I completely finish my daily piano playing exercises.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a composer and pianist because I always felt bliss seeing people look happy when listening to my music.
What was your favorite cartoon?
The Addams Family. Love it!
Tell us your favorite song as a kid, as a teenager, and now as an adult.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Invention 1” as a kid, Billy Joel’s “Honesty” as a teenager, and Thelonious Monk’s “Ask Me Now.”
What’s an album that means more to you now than it did when you first heard it?
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach’s ‘Painted from Memory’, because now I can understand the lyrics more than I did when I first heard the album.
What are your 3 favorite movies?
All Alfred Hitchcock: The Lady Vanishes, Vertigo, and Rear Window. I am a huge fan of Hitchcock movies.
What’s the last film that made you cry or almost cry, and what scene did it?
The Way We Were made me cry. The last scene at Columbus Circle was really powerful; when Robert Redford saw his ex, Barbra Streisand, who was protesting and passing out a political leaflet without noticing Robert.
They had loved each other so much but had split up. Even after that, Robert still loved her, but then he realized that Barbara was more intense for political protest than for loving him. You knew she broke his heart, and he left without saying anything.
The ending is so sad, and it showed how complex love is. I love this film so much.
What’s your all-time favorite TV show?
I Love Lucy.
Which character on that show do you identify with most?
Of course, Lucille Ball, because she is super hilarious!
What makes you laugh out loud or smile uncontrollably every time you see it or hear it?
My dog, Peace; she’s a 14-year-old Dachshund. She moves in a funny way when she feels her back itch.
Who in your family served you the most delicious, unforgettable dish you’ve ever eaten?
Me, myself; the beets pasta is innovative and tasty!
Tell us the most nutritious thing you’ve fed your mind.
Chicken breast, broccoli, and my morning coffee.
When did you start to understand your value?
When I was 3 years old, I heard a flute sound from a Ramen Stall restaurant to attract customers and I started to cry hearing it. I really remember this moment. My heart was moved by a strong sad phrase of that simple music.
After that, I started to play my toy piano enthusiastically to create something, and it was then that I realized my impulse seemed to be fresh and powerful. I began to understand that I might be able to express how I feel through music.
Who is the G.O.A.T. of your profession?
The audience. Because if they are happy, I feel happy. They are always my beginning and ending.
Do you aspire to be like them or more like someone you have a stronger personal connection to?
Yes, I want to be Charlie Parker, so I practice a daily routine. He is my god of jazz.
Recall for us the first time you failed. What lesson did you learn from that?
It was the first time I felt my audience was getting smaller when I was doing a tour in Japan as a pop star.
The end result is important in the music business, but there are more important things called “dignity” and ”creativity”.
In what way have you evolved over the last 12 months?
I’ve cooked the best pomodoro! And being a better listener.
When was a time that someone you didn’t know did something nice for you? What did they do?
When I was a singer/songwriter in Japan, every year on my birthday my staff always tried to surprise me with a fun party.
The entire staff would keep it a secret, so every time they did, I was really surprised and so greatly impressed.
I think it must have been very difficult for them to plan these parties in secret!
How would you explain to someone the importance of valuing their time?
To focus on your vision, listen to your indoor voices – which is also the name of one of my albums, and to simply spend your time wisely.
What’s been the biggest blessing of your life?
Music has been the biggest blessing by far. |THIS.[By Mr. Joe Walker and Alex aka Grand Kai]
