A pianist Satoru Shionoya alias SALT-
His piano captures the hearts of various professional musicians, too.
His appeals were introduced on a late-night music show. (About him: See Apr. 23, 2007)
He always has a smile on his face -naturally, that attracts people around him.
He has arranged and recorded the piano for various pop songs in Japan.
Now many singers and musicians wish to perform with him.
SALT made his debut as a pianist of a salsa band Orquesta De La Luz.
Now even jazz pianists of the first rank give him due respect.
His sound and arrangement is beautiful, and he has great imagination -Yousuke Yamashita said.
(In Shibuya: At a scene of a rehearsal for a piano concert for twelve hands)
Masahiro Sayama, Ken Shima, Takashi Obara, Hiroko Kokubu (See also Sep. 9, 2008), and Yousuke Yamashita -
SALT was the youngest pianist of the six.
The reason why they asked SALT to perform with them:
His sense of arrangement is outstanding, Sayama said.
SALT was conducting "Bolero" -he arranged this song to perform with six pianos.
Kokubu said that she was a great fan of SALT: He has enormous sense of groove, and at the same time, he is casual.
There are always smiley faces around him.
(At the day of piano concert for twelve hands) Song: Bolero
After the concert, SALT said that it was really fun:
No one tries to get the jump on other players.
Chikuzen Satou was the first pop musician who asked SALT to perform together.
Chikuzen and SALT formed a duo SALT&SUGAR 15 years ago. (See Jun. 8, 2006)
Chikuzen said that SALT's personality attracted him -but not only that.
When he is singing with SALT, he feels as if he is singing a duet, not being accompanied.
Now, SALT is in great demand at various recordings and stages of pop music.
Miki Imai described that SALT plays each note as if he was singing.
Ayaka said that when she is singing with SALT, she feels as if she was performing with other singer -and described that his piano performance as singing.
This performance attracts people.
(At SALT's home) His daughter appeared on screen -there are always smiley faces around him at home, too.
In his piano room- he talked about when they won the United Nations Peace Medal in 1993 and were nominated on the Grammy Awards in 1995.
With other comrades -this had a great meaning for him:
When he is performing alone, the groove is created only by him.
On the other hand, when he is performing with other people, the groove is created by those people.
His daughter said that Father is a little strict as a piano instructor.
SALT said that he would scold her if she was "sort of playing the piano".
SALT never experienced what is called special education for gifted as a pianist.
He started to learn the electronic organ at the age of 5.
He majored in music composition in college, not piano.
While a college student, he joined in Orquesta De La Luz.
In 1993, he started his solo works.
Back then, he was performing frantically to appeal himself.
That changed in 2003 when he encountered with Makoto Ozone.
He found Ozone was listening to the sound and notes really carefully.
That changed SALT -he started to listen to other people's sound and music more carefully, and his performance became in harmony with various music.
(The scene of the concert of trio with Yousuke Inoue and Hideo Yamaki (See also Aug. 6, 2007))
SALT described a good point of trio that he could hold hands with all the members at once.
Yamaki said that SALT's mind is shown when he performs the sound with musical instruments.
Inoue said that SALT often makes requests saying how Inoue could play these notes with the bass.
How famous songs would be arranged by them?
Song: Don't Know Why, Englishman in New York
Their smile after the concert showed their satisfaction.
(the scene of Makoto Ozone's concert)
SALT recalled how he was surprised when Ozone understood every note SALT was playing and responded at a rehearsal of duo.
On the other hand, Ozone said that he didn't do anything special:
He just unlocked SALT's heart -and as a result, SALT struck out on a new ground.
He didn't teach nor show anything as a musician.
SALT was enjoying the concert of the pianist he respects in the audience.
Suddenly Ozone announced that SALT was in the audience today -and he was pulled up to the stage.
And their four-handed performance cold...
Song: Praludium
Although without rehearsal, they performed in tune with each other -since they trust each other very well.
A pianist called SALT-
When he was asked that what if he compared himself to condiment, his answer was:
The answer could be salt, but he would wish to be soup stock than salt; the music grows depth with SALT.
SALT's new album "Solo Piano = Solo Salt" is on sale from March 4.
(Translation: Unable-to-think-up-handle)
