Sunday, April 27, 2025

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder - a stellar performance at Irvine Barclay Theatre


Jazz pianist Hiromi performed April 24th at Irvine Barclay Theatre at the UC Irvine campus. Her new jazz fusion, groove-heavy project called Sonicwonder featured Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Hadrien Feraud on bass and Gene Coye on drums.




Hiromi's Sonicwonder

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 8pm

Artist Sponsor
Christopher and Lynne Ramsey

Hiromi: Piano & Keyboard

Adam O’Farrill: Trumpet
Hadrien Feraud: Bass
Gene Coye: Drums

Hiromi is a Yamaha Artist


About Hiromi

For over two decades as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has transitioned seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. Along the way, she has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the genre. Her many accolades include a widely acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk Concert with over 2 million views, a performance representing her native Japan at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and a 2024 Award of the Japanese Academy for Best Music Score for the animated feature Blue Giant. She is also a Grammy Award winner for her collaboration with fusion legend Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is—borrowing a word favored by The New Yorker—“dazzling.”

In 2023, she released Sonicwonderland, introducing what may be the most expressive, dynamic, and versatile band of her career. Known as Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, the group features Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and trumpeter Adam O’Farrill. Together, they expand on Hiromi’s signature musical alchemy—blending the spirit of classic jazz-rock fusion with classically rooted virtuosity, infectious funk, vibrant pop elements, and, through O’Farrill’s trumpet, the cutting edge of acoustic jazz.

The album also did a remarkable job of capturing Hiromi’s mastery as a live entertainer. As The Guardian noted, “Sonicwonderland is perhaps the closest thing to Hiromi’s onstage exuberance.”

But that was only the beginning.

Over the past two years, Sonicwonder has continued to tour and collaborate regularly, deepening their chemistry and bold, intuitive interplay. The results shine on Hiromi’s new Concord release and 13th full-length studio album, OUT THERE, where the group’s powerful connection meets the pianist’s extraordinary compositional talents in perfect harmony.

As Hiromi explains, “On Sonicwonderland, I had the concept and the songs first, and I was looking for the people who could play the music in the ideal way that I had in my mind.

“Being with this group for well over a year,” she continues, “playing a lot of shows together and understanding each other, I started to see more of their strength and what shines in them the most. So I started to write music with them in mind.”

Sonicwonder unites world-class musicians from strikingly diverse backgrounds. French-born Hadrien Feraud is a fusion virtuoso, often compared to the legendary Jaco Pastorius. Gene Coye, a Chicago native who grew up playing in church, blends technical brilliance with a deep, soulful sense of groove and rhythm. Brooklyn-raised Adam O’Farrill—part of a jazz dynasty that includes his father, Arturo, and grandfather, Chico, both Latin jazz icons—is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential trumpeters of his generation. On the album, O’Farrill explores bold new sonic textures using electronics—an element Hiromi actively encouraged him to develop and showcase.

“[Bass legend and collaborator] Anthony Jackson always told me that a first-class musician can do anything,” Hiromi says. “You don’t really have to put them in one genre or one category.” Knowing that anything she composed would be met with outstanding performances, Hiromi let her fiercest ambitions run wild when crafting the music for OUT THERE. “It all comes from curiosity,” she explains. “I think curiosity is the key to everything. How can you express yourself more? How can you write more?”

The core of OUT THERE is its four-part title suite, which Hiromi would like fans to hear as a focused front-to-back listen. “I know that these days streaming gives you one song at a time,” she says, “but I hope they listen to it straight through, giving them a whole new experience.” The suite is nothing less than a tour de force, and certainly deserves undivided attention.

It opens with the rapid-fire melody of “Takin’ Off,” shared nimbly on the frontline between Hiromi and O’Farrill, and traverses the sly ’70s fusion grooves of “Strollin’,” which calls to mind Herbie Hancock, George Duke and Grover Washington Jr. “Orion” follows, with bold and triumphant bookends that could score a great work of science fiction. Hiromi wrote it as a kind of “answer song” to “Polaris,” included on Sonicwonderland. Both compositions reflect the fact that “stars are a guide,” she says. “You know where you are if you look up at the sky. You can go toward an adventure; there’s nothing to be scared of.” The suite closes with “The Quest,” which unites the chopped-up rhythmic thrust of current jazz with the synth pleasures of vintage prog-rock.

Hiromi crafted the suite, chock-full of thrilling twists and turns, as a celebration of our post-pandemic moment, when we can once again live with a sense of exploration.

“Now is the time to go out there and find something new,” she implores. And that sense of excitement isn’t exclusive to the suite; rather, it defines OUT THERE in its entirety.

The album opens with “XYZ,” the very first track Hiromi released as a recording artist back in 2003. A high-octane burner, it takes on a fresh dimension with O’Farrill’s trumpet, evoking the adventurous spirit of avant-garde Blue Note records from the 1960s. “That song has always been very special to me and to fans,” Hiromi says, describing it as a “signature Hiromi song.”

Another standout is “Yes! Ramen!!” — a wild, genre-blending tribute to Hiromi’s all-time favorite food. The track bursts with infectious synth hooks, ska-inflected rhythms, turbo-charged disco beats, a thunderous Black Sabbath-style riff, cutting-edge jazz improvisation, elements of contemporary classical music, and more. “Whew,” indeed. The band shares her passion for ramen — especially O’Farrill and Coye — and they make a point to visit as many ramen spots as possible while on tour. “For this song, it felt like scoring the film I imagined in my head,” Hiromi explains. “As the scenery changes, so does the music — a new restaurant, a new style.”

Hiromi’s “Pendulum” appears in two versions on the album, including a vocal rendition featuring Michelle Willis, best known for her work with Becca Stevens and the late David Crosby. A longtime admirer of Willis’ artistry, Hiromi describes her as “a beautiful voice and a deeply talented musician.”

The track’s arrangement blends ballad and midtempo jazz with the smooth allure of neo-soul, creating a rich, emotive atmosphere. The original lyrics—co-written by Willis and Hiromi—reflect on the ebb and flow of life. “It’s about how life comes and goes,” Hiromi explains. “Life moves like a wave, or like a pendulum. You just have to go with it.”

Later in the album, Hiromi presents a beautiful, contemplative solo piano version of “Pendulum,” a piece she’s been performing live for the past few years. “What I enjoy most about playing solo piano is exploring the softest dynamics I can achieve,” she explains. She relishes the quiet intimacy of these moments, allowing the subtle nuances of her instrument to shine. It also gives the audience a chance to breathe—a moment of calm after the high-energy fireworks of the full band.

The finale of Hiromi’s new album is also OUT THERE’s most delightful track: “Balloon Pop,” which is as much of an earworm as anything currently on the Hot 100. (And with O’Farrill on trumpet, its hummable theme summons up Miles Davis’ hook-filled ’80s recordings.)

And therein lies the secret to Hiromi’s monumental success — her rare ability to deliver not only show-stopping virtuosity but also sheer joy. “I love playing ‘Balloon Pop,” she says. “Every audience goes home singing this lick — well after the show has finished. The chord changes are challenging, but still it doesn’t sound complicated. I just wanted to write some songs that are singable, danceable and fun.”

hiromiuehara.com
Hiromi's Sonicwonder - Yes! Ramen!! (Official Music Video)

Coming up April 29th at 9:00am - Ivan Williams – Award-Winning Producer, Entrepreneur & Changemaker




Ivan Williams is the powerhouse behind films like LARPer fan favorite Knights of Badassdom, romcom Big Stone Gap, the dramedy Ramona at Midlife, the film festival sensation Secret Mall Apartment, the acclaimed National Geographic–linked documentary The Wonder and the Worry and the recent German Academy award nominated film Köln 75. After a successful corporate career at ARCO and BP, Ivan transitioned into entertainment, producing socially resonant projects across film, Broadway (First Date), digital series, and the top-ranked podcast Hidden History Happy Hour. His work explores everything from AI and disinformation (How to Build a Truth Engine, executive produced by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and their Smokehouse Pictures) to climate change, urban resistance, and gender equity (This Changes Everything, American Academy-recognized documentary on gender misrepresentation in Hollywood).


His films have premiered at many key festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, South by Southwest, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Bentonville, Woodstock, Hot Docs, Cleveland International, Leeds (UK), Big Blue Festival in Newport, Oregon, Woods Hole (MA), and Newport Beach, California. He even screened his climate change-related films in front of world leaders at events like the Aspen Institute’s Climate Summit and in Dubai at COP28.


A veteran Naval Reserve intelligence officer, Ivan holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from UC Irvine. He lectures as an adjunct professor, participates in major university initiatives, and speaks at campuses across the U.S. He is also the founding CEO of Outer Limits Productions, Wildbrush Media, and Nexus4AI—ventures redefining storytelling at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and impact.


In addition, Ivan co-founded Eco ArtLab and Eco DesignLab, two nonprofit organizations that develop ecologically themed performances, films, and digital tools for creatives.


Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about how one producer is using Hollywood—and beyond—to drive real-world change.




Additional projects:


RAMONA AT MIDLIFE


Trailer
RAMONA AT MIDLIFE - Official HD Trailer - Comedy (Rosemarie DeWitt, Yvonne Woods, Josh Radnor)
youtu.be



The film is currently streaming on Amazon, Apple TV and Google Play and will be screening in person for one night at The Wayfarer Cinema in Highland Park, IL, on May 8.


SECRET MALL APARTMENT

Trailer

Secret Mall Apartment | Official Trailer HD
youtu.be

We have been or will be on over a 100 theater screens around the U.S. since March 21st.


BLACK DIAMOND
After moving into a secluded cabin, a young woman and her boyfriend meet a local cowboy handyman, turning their idyllic life into a deadly triangle of lust, obsession, and murder.

Black Diamond Trailer #1 (2025)
youtu.be



Along with KÖLN 75, Ivan helped release four feature films in the last four months.


But more are on the horizon…..,


I have another film I produced called, THE WONDER AND THE WORRY, coming out later this year. The documentary explores the careers of Chris Johns, former Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic, and his daughter, Louise, a freelance photographer, through the lens of family, photography, and the power of visual storytelling . It examines the soul of journalism and its role in preserving a planet facing environmental challenges. The film also delves into the history of National Geographic and the transformation of the media landscape





| Films at OSU | Oregon State University
films.oregonstate.edu

Ivan Williams
Producer and CEO
Outer Limits Productions, Wildbrush Media and Nexus4AI
FoothLLrancher@gmail.com
949-632-2172



Wednesday, April 23, 2025

April 23rd 9:30am - Janeane speaks with journalist Hayley Krischer and her new YA psychological thriller - YOU BELONG TO ME




Hayley Krischer's new book, YOU BELONG TO ME, Hayley explores the world of wellness and beauty, and its profound hold on teenagers—up to the point of cult-ishness. As an experienced culture journalist --see just some of Hayley's pieces here—and mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Hayley is poised to speak on the psychological manipulation around the beauty and wellness industry, and how it inspired her to tell this story. YOU BELONG TO ME was born out of Hayley’s own obsession with the wellness industry, starting from the ‘90s when she worked in a health food store.


“A fast-paced thriller with strong implications in the age of influencers and gurus.” —Booklist


“Krischer spins a tense and fast-paced plot…this page-turning novel highlights the way gaslighting and peer pressure can have devastating consequences.”

—Publishers Weekly


“Intrigue abounds in this story that’s full of thrills and atmosphere”

—Kirkus Reviews


ABOUT THE BOOK
The Substance meets Girl in Pieces, in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.

Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.

When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.

But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…


What if living your most authentic life leaves you dead?


Full to the brim with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes, author Hayley Krischer brings readers YOU BELONG TO ME (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; Hardcover; $19.99; ISBN: 9780593698389; On sale April 15, 2025; Ages 14+) a new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world. YOU BELONG TO ME is a mix of Nine Perfect Strangers, the Virgin Suicides, and a touch of The Girls by Emma Cline wrapped up in a psychological wellness thriller.

With an authentic teen voice, Hayley Krischer pulls from her background as a culture journalist to immerses readers in the world of teen girls. We are thrown into the impulsive romance of our main character and the highs, lows and nuances of what it means to long for love and acceptance as a teen. Frances Bean was always content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson.


The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook. 

When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful. But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…



About the author

Hayley Krischer is the author of the adult novel WHERE ARE YOU, ECHO BLUE? (Dutton) and three young adult novels SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF (Penguin Teen), THE FALLING GIRLS (Penguin Teen), and YOU BELONG TO ME (Penguin Teen) out April 15, 2025.

She has been a journalist for 20+ years and has written for the The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, Lenny Letter, and more. She lives in New Jersey with her family.

Coming up 4/23 at 9:00am - Author, speaker and mental health advocate Cohen Miles-Rath shares his memoir, Mending Reality, An Advocate's Existential Journey with Mental Health





Cohen Miles-Rath, MSW
Author • Speaker • Mental Health Advocate

"I want my experience to reveal the changes we can make and embrace the hope that comes with it. The hope I find after the attempted murder of my father. The hope I find after lying naked on a jail floor, shrieking at the terror in my mind. The hope that has been with me since I was a child." - excerpt from my memoir (coming 2025)
cohenmilesrath.com


Cohen Miles-Rath, an elite runner and first-generation college student, attacked his dad with a knife. He thought he was saving humanity by killing Satan—the universe demanded it of him as the Prophet. However, he was deceived by mania and psychosis, and, soon after, was arrested at gunpoint.

Cohen’s love for his dad couldn’t stop mental illness from nearly destroying their lives. But effective intervention could have. He had been hospitalized twice. What went wrong? Since jail, Cohen has managed schizoaffective symptoms and substance misuse, confronted his painful past, and obtained a social work master’s degree. Now, he’s a mental health advocate.

Told through page-turning narrative, Cohen’s transformational journey—having overcome a maniacal, reality-shattering illness—will inspire hope in those seeking insight with mental health.




ABOUT

Cohen Miles-Rath is an author, speaker, advocate, and mental health professional. His work has supported mental health related policies such as workforce funding and education. He has facilitated over fifty training sessions, including Mental Health First Aid and Introduction to Trauma-Sensitive Schools. He has spoken to high school and college students, mental and behavioral health professionals, and elected officials, most notably Xavier Becerra, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, at a 2023 Mental Health Round Table.

Cohen has shared his story and expertise for media including the National Alliance of Mental Illness blog and New York State Capitol press conferences. He holds a bachelor’s in sociology and communications from SUNY Geneseo, and a master’s degree in social work with a focus on community, policy, and political social action from Stony Brook University.

Cohen’s memoir, Mending Reality: An Advocate’s Existential Journey with Mental Health, is available for pre-order.




Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Bystander Intervention to Stop Antisemitic Harassment - Coming up Thursday April 24th 12:00 Online - Register Now



Thursday, April 24, 2025
12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Virtual

REGISTER TODAY

There has been a staggering rise in Antisemitic violence globally. In the United States, one in four American Jews report experiencing Antisemitism in 2021. This rise corresponds with a rise in white supremacist and far-right movements in the United States and abroad. Faced with rising Antisemitic violence, Right To Be (RTB) came together with T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights to ask how we could respond, help Jewish communities to heal, and empower allies to stand up against Antisemitic hate.


This training, as well as the companion "Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic Harassment" training, is open to all UC Irvine students, faculty, and staff and is supported by an Addressing Bias and Building Community at UC Irvine (ABC at UCI) grant from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and cosponsored by UC Irvine Libraries, School of Humanities, School of Social Ecology, and School of Social Sciences.


WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

This interactive training will teach you RTB’s 5Ds (distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct) of bystander intervention methodology, created in collaboration with T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. It will start by talking about the forms of Antisemitism that the Jewish community faces right now – from microaggressions to violence – using a tool RTB calls the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. The trainer will talk through five strategies for intervention and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. You’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Antisemitic harassment online or in person.

REGISTER TODAY
ABOUT T’RUAH

T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights brings together rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism, together with all members of the Jewish community, to act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
ABOUT RIGHT TO BE

Right To Be (RTB) started as a conversation in 2005 among seven young people. As the women in the group told story after story of their experiences of harassment, the men became increasingly concerned. Collectively, they resolved to make change.

Inspired by the story of Thao Nguyen, a woman sexually harassed in New York City who bravely shared her story online, the seven youths started a public blog where all could document their experiences of harassment. RTB became a nonprofit in 2010 and created bystander intervention trainings to teach people how to stop harassment, in all its forms. RTB’s mission is to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.

Lorelei Tanji, Endowed University Librarian, UC Irvine Libraries discusses Bystander Intervention Trainings starting 4/16. Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Islamophobic Harassment - Wednesday, April 16, 2025 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Virtual REGISTER TODAY






Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic Harassment - Library Reservations - University of California Irvine

These trainings are open to all UC Irvine students, faculty, and staff and are supported by a grant, "Addressing Bias and Building Community at UC Irvine (ABC at UCI)," from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and cosponsored by UC Irvine Libraries, School of Humanities, School of Social Ecology, and School of Social Sciences.



According to the 2021 survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 69% of American Muslims said they have personally experienced one or more incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11, and 83% said they witnessed someone experience this.

As anti-Muslim discrimination and xenophobia are on the rise across the globe, Right To Be (RTB) and CAIR-Chicago have partnered to bring this training to support healing in Muslim communities and empower everyone to activate their power to stop Islamophobic and xenophobic harassment.


This interactive training will teach you RTB’s 5Ds (distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct) of bystander intervention methodology. It will start by talking about the types of disrespect that Muslims and those who are perceived to be Muslim are facing right now —  from microaggressions to violence —  using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. The trainer will talk through five strategies for intervention and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. You’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Islamophobic and xenophobic harassment online or in person.



Learn more about each training by visiting their registration webpages: "Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Islamophobic Harassment" and "Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Antisemitic Harassment"




ABOUT RIGHT TO BE

Right To Be (RTB) started as a conversation in 2005 among seven young people. As the women in the group told story after story of their experiences of harassment, the men became increasingly concerned. Collectively, they resolved to make change.

Inspired by the story of Thao Nguyen, a woman sexually harassed in New York City who bravely shared her story online, the seven youths started a public blog where all could document their experiences of harassment. RTB became a nonprofit in 2010 and created bystander intervention trainings to teach people how to stop harassment, in all its forms. RTB’s mission is to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.


lib.uci.edu



Coming up 4/16 at 9:30am - LA-based filmmaker and editor Ryan Larkin talks about the new film, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence





Here is the film's official trailer, hosted by Greenwich Entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYOz2b_iLxw

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence chronicles the singer’s epic life journey across multiple decades - from her youthful struggle with notoriety following her controversial hit “Society’s Child" in the late 60s, to her ascent to superstardom with the iconic single “At Seventeen" in the 70s, to her release of the disruptive album Breaking Silence in the 90s. The film uses Janis Ian’s incredible body of music, decades worth of archival media, mood photography, and interviews with family, friends, famous collaborators, and music journalists to tell its story with the intimacy of a home movie set against a sweeping historical context.



Ryan Larkin was the editor on the film, and award-winning producer, director and writer, Varda Bar-Kar, was the director. Her bio may be found on her website at the link below:


Pierre Hauser, Michael Kantor, and Gloria Ann Evans are the credited EPs.



Ryan Larkin is an LA-based filmmaker and editor known for his award-winning short films and social video content. He directed several episodes of the Emmy-winning “Behind the FX” digital series for Netflix, won the IBM Media Prize at AT&T SHAPE 2018, and won Best Narrative Short in the popular “On Location” contest from NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (2019). Ryan’s portfolio also includes work for Lionsgate, BuzzFeed, Visible, and AIDS Walk. His favorite Janis Ian song is “Stars.”



Hiromi’s Sonicwonder - a stellar performance at Irvine Barclay Theatre

Jazz pianist Hiromi performed April 24th at Irvine Barclay Theatre at the UC Irvine campus. Her new jazz fusion, groove-heavy project called...