Award-winning keyboardist Keiko Matsui is one of the most successful and innovative contemporary jazz artists begins U.S. Tour at Yoshi's in Oakland. Keiko Matsui has earned a large, devoted following developed over the course of her recording career that began with the 1987 release of "A Drop of Water". Since then, Matsui has wowed audiences around the world with elegant, award-winning records and high-energy live shows featuring her signature grand-in-scope compositions.

Her music is deep and passionate, combining Asian and Western classical music with modern jazz. From Tokyo, Matsui has become one of instrumental music's most distinctive and dynamic composers while reaching new heights as a concert performer. "Wildflower" is Keiko's latest release and it spotlights her classically inspired jazz grooves infused with deep spirituality. Powerful and evocative, Matsui's music has earned her fans and critics' praise the world over. Ever mindful of music's unique ability to unite people of all ages and cultures, she hopes to spread a positive message across the globe of action, compassion and understanding.

Now in its sixth year, the SFJAZZ Spring Season has grown from a series of weekend concerts to a four-month extravaganza of music, education programs, and more. Highlighting the season, which runs from March 12 through June 26, is the much-anticipated return on March 19 of the SFJAZZ Collective - SFJAZZ's own all-star resident band featuring the "best musicians in the world," according to the San Francisco Chronicle - after their sizzling debut last year. This year the SFJAZZ Collective will focus on the work of modern master John Coltrane.

Roy Haynes has been a forceful presence in jazz for more than half a century. In the history of jazz drumming, no one fits the legendary status quite like Haynes, a voracious, fearless talent whose dynamic style has endured the many stylistic revolutions in jazz, from swing and bebop to postbop and hard bop to free jazz and beyond. Called "the father of modern drumming" by guitarist Pat Metheny, Haynes has been on the cutting-edge of jazz and helped foster its constant evolution dating all the way back the 1940s. He is the only drummer to have played with Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Astonishingly, in addition to these legends, Haynes' career claims a connection to virtually every jazz master in the history of the music. From bop-era stints with Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell, to postbop forays with Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Rahasaan Roland Kirk and Booker Ervin, to free explorations with Eric Dolphy and Lennie Tristano. He pioneered jazz-fusion with Gary Burton, and steered jazz into modernity with Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Kenny Garrett, and Christian McBride. No living musician can boast as wide-ranging, influential, or innovative a career.