[1] From 1982 he studied composition at the Kunitachi College of Music; while still a student, he became a professional jazz pianist.
[1] Shiina joined the bands of Lionel Hampton and Vincent Herring for their 1989 tours of Japan.
[1] This band recorded, as did later versions that contained Veal and Herlin Riley, then Christian McBride and Clarence Penn.
[1] In 1996 the pianist toured Japan with trumpeter Duško Gojković and Europe with drummer Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine.
[3] John Fordham of The Guardian compared Shiina with pianist Wynton Kelly and commented that Shiina "keeps his virtuosity throttled back and maintains a hip expressiveness by letting insinuations, nuances and implied swing, and the subtle tick of the rhythm section do much of the work.