Hirahara was awakened to jazz during his studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he earned a degree in Electronic and Computer Music. During his junior year, he began jazz piano studies with the Cleveland jazz giant, Neal Creque. He then continued at California Institute of the Arts, where he was mentored by David Roitstein, Charlie Haden and Wadada Leo Smith. It was there that he immersed himself in world music, focusing on West African drumming and dance, Balinese gamelan and North Indian tabla. Since his move to New York in 2003, he has honed his craft while performing in a wide range of musical situations, ranging from straight-ahead standards to time cycle-based progressive jazz to free improvisation.

Hirahara’s latest, Central Line, like his previous Posi-Tone release, Libations & Meditations (2015), is presented in piano trio format. His bandmates for the latest record, Rudy Royston on drums and Linda Oh (Dave Douglas) on acoustic bass, and Donny McCaslin on sax, help Hirahara document some of his wonderful compositions.

Hirahara has had the privilege to perform with Stacey Kent, Akira Tana, Rufus Reid, Don Braden, Roseanna Vitro, Dave Douglas, Vincent Herring, Victor Lewis, Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, Jim Black, Jenny Scheinman, Greg Cohen, Fred Ho, Sean Nowell, Royal Hartigan and Hafez Modir- zadeh. He has performed around the world in Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East and extensively around the United States.

Posi-Tone Records

Posi-Tone Records strives to produce the highest quality recordings by the most relevant musicians on today’s exciting jazz scene. Whether it’s contemporary interpretations of classic material or fresh new ideas by the hottest innovative players, the Posi-Tone catalog provides both new fans and devoted listeners with something they can count on to deliver the energy that exists in the current world of jazz.