Hiromi Uehara rarely records by herself. The pianist has spent nearly two decades working with bands to create a string of whirlwind albums, and also boasts an eclectic list of collaborators, such as Chick Corea, Akiko Yano and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
Every 10 years, though, she steps away from all that for a time to go it alone. Uehara started this tradition in 2009 when she was on the verge of 30, drawing from her travels during the 2000s for her first solo album, "Place to Be." A decade later and now 40 years old, she has once again gone solo for her latest album, "Spectrum."
"As a pianist, making a solo album is really like, kind of being naked," Uehara says. "There is nowhere to hide. There is no other instrument to play with in order to cover the sound. It's really challenging, but at the same time, it's the best way to fully enjoy this instrument."