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Whether it could be in theaters, the underground clubs in Shibuya, a prestigious temple in Meguro, or in the middle of a forest, where you see dancers, you will also see Hanna. (Hanna Inui) improvising on the piano, keyboards, voice, or anything around that makes sound.  

It has been only 2 and a half years since here return to Japan, after finishing her Bachelor’s at The New School and surviving the Covid-lockdown, and Hanna is known for her works with dancers of all genres from contemporary, swing jazz, UK jazz, house, and hip-hop in Tokyo.  It’s not just her playing what comes to her mind, as if the dancers were her conductors, making the music entirely unique from its making.  Her musical style branches from the roots of her experience composing and playing piano for Western classical music and contemporary jazz.  She uses layers of repetition, space (often stated as “ma” in Japanese music), and her tone, use of voice and verbal/nonverbal text is overwhelmingly compassionate that brings chaos and healing.  Also, she has been practicing dance herself.

“Dance has become an integral part of my music, detachable from life.  Every detail of movement makes me hear the next note.  Everything I see becomes music.”

Whichever music/dance style they might be, there is a bright scene of dancing to live music happening in Japan. 

In between DJ sets, outdoors, in dance theaters, many dance companies and artists are looking for musicians that can provide live music for the stage, and if they’re looking for original music, Hanna is the first one who gets the call. 

Hanna’s music can often be called spontaneous composition, as each movement decides the direction of the music, and puts it into written music afterwards.  

For contemporary dance companies like Room.Onaya Rion and ATROA, or solo artists such as Reina Okada (Null Dance, BATIK), Mika Kozonoi, and so on, Hanna was always called from the creation of choreography to see the dancers move.  She successfully performed live at prestigious venues such as Theatre Tram, and Session House.  

Hanna believes that jazz has always been connected to dance. Performing regularly in clubs and music festivals, now she is becoming a center piece to connect young jazz musicians and dancers in one place, growing her recognition around the UK Jazz community in Japan, branching out to the music world of house music and hip hop. 

“We can listen when we’re alone which is great — but music needs people, closer…”

Having both a high sensation seeking and highly sensitive personality, Hanna is always conscious about various social issues (which we will dig deeper next time).  While she believes in the power of music to unite people, she also keeps conscious about the division side.  Live music accessibilities can be limited whether the location (venues with no elevators for example), or time, and loudness, in which case, people with sensitive ears and parents with young children have difficulty coming.  These people are the ones Hanna wants to invite to listen to live music.   This summer, she will host ambient music shows for toddlers and their parents at a summer residency in Soramame House.  While this is an ongoing project, Hanna dreams of a community where every person is able to feel invited and enjoy the moment with the community.

Hanna. keeps herself intentionally quiet on digital platforms.  She’s not on Threads, X nor TikTok, she has an Instagram account on private mode (though you can always request to follow) with little content to feed the algorithm.  

“Social media acts like our marketplace now.  It’s the center hub to connect and get to know new artists, shows, and sometimes their private lives.  Musicians and artists seem to have no choice but to be a part of this phenomenon to gain recognition and expand their fanbase, but that system is not for everyone.  And, if that puts the listeners’ focus into the screen more than the music that’s happening around them, that is not what I’m looking for.”  

Once a while, she passes around her original free paper (which are of course all recycled material) to friends, music schools, clubs and venues, introducing her latest works, upcoming live shows, and other cultural information.  

The only platforms where you can hear Hanna’s music is on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, or seeing her live.  CDs are printed by herself on demand.  Hanna is currently working on her solo piano album, in which she will explore options to where her music can be available.  However, she emphasized, “I like the crafty side of myself.”

For more information about Hanna, visit her website at www.hannadotworld.com