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 Keiko Matsui, an icon of contemporary jazz comes to the Vault 350 in Long Beach, CA for a three night engagement from April 26th through April 28th. With over 1.2 million records sold in the U.S. alone and sold-out appearances at concert halls across the world, she is one of the most recognized artists in the genre. Her elegant piano melodies and gentle jazz grooves have enormous appeal and never disappoint the loyal fan base which she has cultivated with over a dozen albums and hundreds of stunning live shows.
Matsui’s new self-produced album, Moyo (Swahili for "heart and soul") is something of a departure for her. Recorded in South Africa, Japan and the United States with prominent south African musicians, Moyo introduces new sounds and rhythms absorbed from the local cultures.
While in South Africa, Matsui drove each day to a piano factory to compose the music for the album. “Until the sun went down, I concentrated on composing new material, surrounded by many pianos,” Matsui recalls. “I will not forget their pianos and the smell of the ground there. It was a different but incredible experience.” Matsui’s Moyo evokes a sense of freedom and independence. Moyo is not only her first self-produced album, but it is also the first time she has including so many other guest musicians including a number of contemporary jazz stars; legendary trumpeter Hugh Masakela, tenor sax player Gerald Albright, soprano sax player Paul Taylor, and Richard Bona on bass and vocals. The result, Moyo, is unlike any other album she has recorded. Listen to streaming audio from Moyo: For “Allure” Click here. For “Black River” Click here. Matsui began her solo recording career with 1987’s A Drop Of Water. The album established Matsui as a talent of note. Her subsequent albums, including Under Northern Lights (1989), No Borders (1990), Night Waltz (1991), Cherry Blossom (1992), Doll (1994), Sapphire (1995), and Dream Walk (1996) further cemented her reputation and increased her popularity. No stranger to the upper reaches of the contemporary jazz album and airplay charts, Matsui was named Top Indie Contemporary Jazz Artist Of The Year by Billboard magazine in 1996.
 Keiko Matsui photo by Jun Sato In 2003 Matsui recorded The Piano, revisiting her most loved compositions with new versions performed on solo piano. On 2004’s Wildflower, Matsui once again used music as a platform for inspiring good. The album’s title track benefits the United Nations World Food Programme’s efforts in Africa. Walls of Akendora, Matsui’s 2005 release of all new material, showcases her signature sophisticated jazz style on ten tunes that range from the classically-inspired to bold and brassy. With Moyo, Matusi begins an exciting new chapter in her career as an ever-evolving artist. For more information visit www.keikomatsui.com.
Keiko Matsui will perform at the Vault 350 in Long Beach, CA on April 26th through April 28th.
More US Tour Dates:
- 4/19/2007 Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
- 4/20/2007 Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
- 4/21/2007 Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
- 4/22/2007 Yoshi's, Oakland, CA
- 4/26/2007 Vault 350, Long Beach, CA
- 4/27/2007 Vault 350, Long Beach, CA
- 4/28/2007 Vault 350,Long Beach, CA
- 5/6/2007 Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA
- 5/19/2007 Palm Springs Jazz Festival, Palm Springs, CA
- 6/9/2007 Japan America Theater, Los Angeles, CA
- 6/23/2007 Boulder Station Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
- 6/27/2007 Iridium Jazz Club, New York, NY
- 6/28/2007 Iridium Jazz Club, New York, NY
- 6/29/2007 Iridium Jazz Club, New York, NY
- 6/30/2007 Iridium Jazz Club, New York, NY
- 11/1/2007 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA
- 11/4/2007 Jazz Cruise, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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Friday, 25 July 2008
