Interview with Senri Oe – Japanese Pop Star Turned Jazz Musician

Senri Oe, here at Bionic Buzz we are all about people’s passions. Where did your passion for music come from? Was it a certain album or live performance that inspired it? Or was something natural for you as a child? 

Passion has always been my most indispensable source of gasoline for creating.  To achieve something new, I need passion, and to fulfill vision, courage comes from passion.  I haven’t reflected much about success in the early days of my career, but I find that if I just follow my own passion, success will follow me.  My passion comes from tiny moments in my daily life:  feeding my dog, cleaning up her bowl, making coffee, opening the window and hearing bird sounds…each tiny moment is very special  for me.  I don’t dare to listen to any music at home, as silence is so important for my creative juices. In our world, there are so many sounds surrounding us everywhere – sometimes too much, and it’s nerve racking.   I only want to tune in my own indoor voices.  A few songwriters have inspired me to be brave and passionate like Burt Bacharach, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk and Bartok.

After you found your passion for music, tell us about your music journey which lead you to a becoming a pop superstar in Japan in the 80’s & 90’s. 

When I was a child I performed “Turkish March” by Mozart at a piano recital, and forgot the chart in the middle — totally by accident. I rehearsed it many times as part of  but the audience started to recognize that I messed up.  Finally I made decision to improvise, which was the first time I ever did.  I tried to hear the voice from my inner self, and to follow and finish it.  People applauded.  That experience made me begin to compose on my own, and to be a singer/songwriter. My piano teacher saw this in me, and let me do improvisations at the end of my lessons. My teacher gave me a motif.  “Senri, can you improvise ‘Water Melon?’  How about ‘Fire Works?’  Would you like to do ‘Pee-a-Boomy?’  I indulge in making chunks of music. In my teenage years, I discovered music from The Carpenters, Billy Joel, Gilbert Orariban, Captain and Tennille….and jazz as well.  I can say that passion has always driven me into a risky journey, but has always led me to be somebody.

What made you decided to go back to your first music passion which was jazz?

Because jazz is the most essential, beautiful music that I love. I once quit and gave up to do jazz when I was 17, but life comes around only one time.  It has its limits. When I was 47, I finally made decision to be jazz musician and composer, which is an improvisation in itself!

You just released your sixth jazz album HMMM which hit the Top 40 on JAZZWEEK chart. Congrats! Tell us about the album and where did you come up with the title?

Thank you so much.  In May of 2019, I had been back and forth between the U.S. and Japan to take care of my dad who was fading out his life.  Just before he passed away, we had a great time making a non alcoholic beer toast.  I had to leave him to go back to studio and create a new album in NYC.  It was during this time that my sister called me to say “Dad just passed away.”  I am a lucky son because I was able to have a great time with my dad. Life is like a rollercoaster.  There is sadness and joy, emptiness and fullness. The only sure thing is the motivation I tell myself, ” I can’t give up.” So I returned back to creating music. In the recording studio, my trio members, my engineer, co-producer and manager were so kind and compassionate. We completed the album in one day.  Life is not bad.  There are good times bad times though…hmmm…..taking deep breath…I named my sixth album “Hmmm.” Not bad, huh?

Usually I end my interviews with what’s the future hold for you. Since shows, tours & everything in life is on hold now. What are you doing to pass the time?

As you would suspect, I am now sheltered at home due to the pandemic.  However, I am enjoying my life with my tiny 13-year old dog who came to U.S. with me, and who is inspiring my passion of creation for my next installment.  I can’t wait to see music lovers at my concerts again with my brand new tunes that now I am writing.

Be safe, healthy and passionate!