Keiko Matsui

Beloved throughout the world as a genre-hopping new age pianist and composer, Keiko Matsui fuses contemporary jazz with world music rhythms and classical elements. Keiko's 2013 release Soul Quest marks the 25th anniversary of her American recording debut and features saxophone great Kirk Whalum, guitarist Chuck Loeb (Fourplay) and superstar bassist Marcus Miller (Miles Davis), among others. A dedicated human rights activist, Keiko has lent her talent and popularity towards causes as diverse as breast cancer research, earthquake relief, hunger relief and peace activism. This past April she performed along with Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela and others for International Jazz Day—an event held in Istanbul in honor of world peace. Keiko states, “I always want to dedicate my music to world peace and to use my music to give back to the planet.” Her PBS special Keiko Matsui: Light Above the Trees garnered her two National Smooth Jazz Awards for “Best Long-Form Video Achievement” and “Best Female Artist.” Routinely topping the Contemporary Jazz Billboard Charts (she was the first Japanese artist to achieve this honor), Keiko is the rare crossover artist to enjoy both mainstream appeal and critical acclaim.

“…creating music that celebrates and elevates the human spirit”
Jazz Monthly