Internationally Acclaimed Pianist, Composer & Humanitarian KEIKO MATSUI Creates Ground-Breaking,
Thought-Provoking & Inspirational New Music on SOUL QUEST Out July 30, 2013
Keiko Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of US Recording Career With Star-Studded CD featuring
Narada Michael Walden, Chuck Loeb & Kirk Whalum Among Others
U.S. Tour Dates August 4 - December 21, Including Eighteen Shows On Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour
“Creating
this album was like going on a soul quest, as I tried to figure out how
to express the things I was thinking and experiencing during this past
year,” confides pianist, composer and humanitarian Keiko Matsui
(pronounced Kay-Koe, meaning ‘happy, celebratory child’ in Japanese).
“This music energizes me and I am overwhelmed with emotion when I
listen to it. I hope people will allow themselves to go inside the
music and become a part of my journey,” says the stunning, profound
pianist and world citizen who is celebrating a triumphant 25 years of
recording in the US. In the words of Duke Ellington, Keiko Matsui is
‘beyond category.’
The courageous, spiritually-driven and
consummate artist who enjoyed the distinction of being an invited guest
and performer at the second International Jazz Day, sponsored by
UNESCO and held in Istanbul in April 2013, transcends boundary. Her
unique melting pot of musical influences have garnered her a devout
international following. The eloquent and soft-spoken but yet deliberate
musician tours relentlessly and seeks to make a genuine connection with
her audience. “Everybody has so many things going on in their lives but
my concerts are special for me. The music creates a oneness. The
exchange I share with my audience is the root of my energy. It’s like my
mission.” Matsui has worked alongside the best including Miles Davis,
Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela and Bob James.
A true humanitarian,
Keiko has lent her voice to raise awareness for such causes as The
Daniel Pearl Foundation, The United Nations World Food Programme, Be The
Match Marrow Registry and The National Donor Program and Marrow
Foundation. She has also lent her efforts to the continued
revitalization and healing of Japan in the wake of the recent Tsunami
and Fukushima disasters. “I still have these images of kindergarten
teachers holding their kids in order to protect them. I also think
about all of the older people who did not make it and the children who
lost parents,” reflects Keiko, the first Japanese musician to top the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts. “But when I think about the people who did survive,
I think that they may be the strongest souls there are. Out of this
pain, I have found the greatest strength from these individuals.” Keiko
Matsui’s new recording Soul Quest, is a riveting new
collection of songs that unfold like an epic journey. With an all-star
cast that includes such heavyweights as producer and drummer Narada
Michael Walden, guitarist Chuck Loeb, saxophonist Kirk Whalum and
bassist Marcus Miller, among others, Keiko explores themes of love,
loss, spirituality and environmental consciousness.
“I become
very serious when I am recording a new album. I carry a notebook around
with me and take notes as ideas come to me,” confesses Keiko. “These
notes focus my vision. Each recording is like my baby, so I feel such
obligation. When I am gone these songs will still be here.” Reflecting
Keiko’s universal approach to her life and music, Soul Quest was
recorded and conceptualized on several corners of the globe– New York,
Japan, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Eastern Europe.
Soul Quest opens
with the transcendental and majestic “Dream Seeker,” a melodic prayer
that Keiko holds for all mankind. “I want everyone to have a dream and
to seek it.” She co-wrote the song with guitarist and producer Chuck
Loeb and it features the flamenco-like and ethereal guitar of Loeb along
with the soaring soprano saxophone of Andy Snitzer. Soul Quest’s first
single “Black Lion,” was inspired during a rigorous Eastern European
tour in which Keiko and her band played an exhausting five countries in
five weeks. They were even detained at one point due to problems with
travel visas. However, the courageous and optimistic pianist drew
inspiration from happier times during her tour.
“I was in
Georgia and after the concert we all went to a restaurant called ‘Black
Lion,’ where I saw this painting that caught my eye. The owner explained
it was by a famous Georgian painter named Niko Pirosmani who was
suffering from a broken heart after a failed romance.” Inspired by the
sadness of this painting Keiko manages to uplift us with the searching
and soaring notes of her piano. “Black Lion” and the title track were
produced by Derek Nakamoto, who Keiko has known her entire career and
who also worked with her on her previous album. “A Night With Cha Cha,”
is another remnant from Keiko’s Eastern European crusade and is
dedicated to a liquor she was introduced to in Georgia. The track
features celebrated saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who makes a return
appearance after recording with Keiko on the acclaimed CD, The Road…
Soul Quest finds
Keiko Matsui doing several firsts, including recording with
Chart-topping producers Chuck Loeb and Narada Michael Walden. She
recorded with Loeb at his home studio outside of New York. The guitarist
produced five of the album’s tracks and together with Keiko he co-wrote
three songs. “Chuck is a great producer and such a sweet human being.
I got to spend time with his family and they are all beautiful,
including his dog Annie and cat, Kit Kat,” recalls Keiko laughing. “I
never had that kind of peaceful environment during a recording.” Keiko
and Chuck join forces on the catchy “Top Secret,” with its bluesy
undercurrent, percolating rhythmic pulse and the muted trumpet of Giulio
Carmassi. The two also collaborate on the Keiko written “A Night With
Cha Cha” and Loeb’s Quiet Storm inspired “Proof.” The duo also penned
together the tunes “Two Hearts” and “Dream Seeker.”
“I first met
Narada Michael Walden in 2006 at a Grammy party,” shares Keiko. “I knew
his work well as a producer and I was very surprised when he told me he
loved my piano playing.” Narada and Keiko had plans to record one song
together but after they discovered their great synergy together in the
studio, they collaborated on a total of three songs – “Moving Mountain,”
“Antarctica – A Call To Action” and “Stingo.” The process of recording
with Walden was atypical for Keiko. She explains, “Usually before I go
into the studio I spend a great deal of time preparing arrangements and
production. This time I flew to San Francisco to meet Narada and we got
started right on the spot. It was very challenging but at the same time I
was able to be myself. It was a real adventure. Their song “Moving
Mountain,” is an improvisatory piece that was done in one take. Keiko
recalls “When we finished recording, I really felt like we moved a
mountain!” Narada and Keiko also join forces for the pianist’s sublime
and lilting waltz “Antarctica A Call to Action,” which opens with
primordial rhythms and addresses the fact that Antarctica is melting and
it is affecting all the animals and entire planet. I hope the music can
send a message to the world.” If you listen carefully to the song’s
quiet moments, you can hear authentic whale sounds! Keiko is also joined
for the first time on record by bassist Marcus Miller. “Marcus made
such a great track he made me cry. The conversation we have together
where the song transitions is powerful. He pulled out everything and
made it such a great experience.” Soul Quest also finds
Keiko and Narada Michael Walden paying tribute to Keiko’s all-time
favorite musician - Sting. The joy they have creating this song is
evident as they both pay homage to the iconic rocker with “Stingo,” a
nickname Narada coined for his close friend.
In April 2013, Keiko Matsui had the distinction of participating in the second International Jazz Day celebrated
around the globe and held in Istanbul. She performed at the star
studded event that included luminaries Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter
Hugh Masakela, George Duke and countless others. Keiko who performed
with Rubén Blades states, “It was special for me and wonderful to be
with so many musicians I respect. The day was dedicated to world peace
and it was great that the event united us all beyond our culture and
differences.”
The devastating effects of the March 11, 2011
Japan earthquake and Tsunami left close to 30,000 innocent victims dead
or missing. Lives were changed forever not only in Japan but the world.
Keiko who was in Japan at the time of the earthquake states, “I felt
like my life was going to end that day. In the Northern part everything
was shaking. Luckily my family was fine but I had family in Sendai who
were unreachable for ten days.” She goes on to explain that the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster went on to cause further destruction
but that progress is slowly occurring.
“There is still lots of
recovery needed and so much loss. It has really made a big impact on all
of us. Living with less light in these times has reminded us how to
live and how much energy it takes to live. I have been dedicating all of
my shows to this and making sure to share our story. I am so grateful
for all the prayers, emails and support that people have shown me.”
Keiko Matsui made her US recording debut in 1987 with the recording A Drop of Water. Under Northern Lights followed in 1989 and her subsequent albums of note include No Borders (1990), Night Waltz (1991), Cherry Blossom (1992), Doll (1994), Sapphire (1995) and Dream Walk (1996),
which remained on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart for over 15
months and further cemented her reputation as a force to reckon with.
In 1997, she launched a tour dedicated to raising awareness of breast
cancer, and released a four-song CD entitled A Gift of Hope that benefitted the Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization. Her music was prominently featured in Say It, Fight It, Cure It,
a Lifetime special profiling several courageous women battling breast
cancer. “My fans come from all backgrounds and I have been approached by
various foundations to join in their efforts. When I hear of a cause
that resonates with me that I can dedicate my music to then I am always
willing. It is my way to show gratitude and give back,” states Keiko
Matsui.
In 1999, the pianist performed at "A Golden Moment," a
skating concert featuring Olympic figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi, Tara
Lipinski, Ekaterina Gordeeva, and Katarina Witt, which benefitted the
Susan G. Komen Foundation. 1998 saw the release of her album Full Moon And The Shrine, which was accompanied by the acclaimed PBS-TV special Keiko Matsui: Light Above The Trees. In 2000, the special earned Keiko a National Smooth Jazz Award for
“Best Long-Form Video Achievement” and she was honored with an award
for “Best Female Artist.” She claimed the award again in 2001. In 2002,
she released the poignant recording The Ring, which was meant to communicate a message of peace, compassion, and humanity to listeners around the world.
Keiko Matsui’s CD Deep Blue (2001)
topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts for three consecutive
weeks. Keiko is the first Japanese artist to achieve this honor. In
2003 she enjoyed success with her recording The Piano, which featured reinventions of some of her most loved original works. In 2004 the title track of Keiko’s Wildflower was
used to support the United Nations World Food Programme’s efforts in
Africa. "I decided I wanted to support the WFP after learning about the
tremendous problems in Africa and how humanitarian assistance can change
people’s lives for the better," shares the activist." Keiko has also
collaborated with A3M (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches) in numerous
charity concerts. In addition proceeds from her 2001 mini-CD, A Gift of Life,
went to The National Donor Program and Marrow Foundation in support of
A3M. In December 2009, the highly sought-after pianist was asked to put
together a Christmas show at the Blue Note club in Tokyo, which was a
major success and in November 2010 she made her highly anticipated debut
at the Blue Note in NY, which was sold out. In 2011 Keiko recorded with
fellow pianist Bob James on a four hand piano project called Altair & Vega. Keiko’s
depth as a composer has also allowed her to contribute music to
soundtracks in Japan, the U.S. and Russia. She also released her
critically heralded Top 5 Billboard Recording The Road… which featured Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona and saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Jackiem Joyner among others.
“I
always want to dedicate my music to world peace and to use my music to
give back to the planet,” declares Keiko Matsui. With the release of Soul Quest, her mission is complete and the results promise to be long lasting.
Keiko Matsui
Tour DatesAug 04 – Trenton, MI @ Jazz on the River
Aug 17 – Livermore, CA @ Bankhead Theater
Aug 19 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
Aug 20 – San Francisco, CA @ Yoshi’s
Aug 21 – Oakland, CA @ Yoshi’s
Aug 22 – Oakland, CA @ Yoshi’s
Aug 23 – Petaluma, CA @ Mystic Theatre
Aug 24 – Las Vegas, NV @ Santa Fe Station
Aug 29 – Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
Aug 30 – Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
Aug 31 – Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
Sep 01 – Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
Sep 22-29 – Italy*Greece*Sicily (Dave Koz & Friends At Sea)
Oct 11 – Newport Beach, CA @ Hyatt Newport Beach
Oct 13 – Temecula, CA @ Thorton Winery
Oct 18 – Rehoboth Beach, DE @ Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest
Oct 19 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct 20 – Austin, TX @ One World Theatre
Oct 21 – The Woodlands, TX @ Dosey Doe
Nov 29 – Sarasota, FL @ Van Wezel Perf Arts Hall*
Nov 30 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall*
Dec 02 – Atlanta, GA @ Cobb Energy PAC*
Dec 03 – Durham, NC @ The Carolina Theatre*
Dec 04 – Newport News, VA @ Ferguson Ctr for the Arts*
Dec 05 – Baltimore, MD @ Modell PAC (The Lyric)*
Dec 06 – Cleveland, OH @ Palace Theatre*
Dec 07 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre*
Dec 10 – Van Wert, OH @ Niswonger Perf Arts Ctr*
Dec 11 – N. Tonawanda, NY @ Rivera Theatre*
Dec 12 – Kalamazoo, MI @ James W Miller Auditorium*
Dec 13 – Carmel, IN @ The Palladium*
Dec 14 – Rancho Mirage, CA @ Agua Caliente Casino Resort*
Dec 16 – Santa Barbara, CA @ The Granada Theatre*
Dec 17 – Santa Rosa, CA @ Wells Fargo Center*
Dec 19 – Mesa, AZ @ Ikeda Theater (Mesa Arts Center)*
Dec 20 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center for Perf Arts*
Dec 21 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center for Perf Arts*
Jan 12-19 – Caribbean (Smooth Jazz Cruise)
* Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour (Dave Koz, Keiko Matsui, Oleta Adams, Jonathan Butler)
Keiko Matsui
Soul Quest1. Dream Seeker (ft. Chuck Loeb)
2. Black Lion
3. Top Secret (ft. Chuck Loeb)
4. A Night With Cha Cha (ft. Kirk Whalum)
5. Moving Mountain (ft. Narada Michael Walden)
6. Antarctica - A Call To Action (ft. Marcus Miller & Kirk Whalum)
7. Soul Quest
8. Proof (ft. Chuck Loeb)
9. Two Hearts (ft. Chuck Loeb)
10. Stingo (ft. Narada Michael Walden)
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