Powerful, Introspective and Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Pianist & Composer Keiko Matsui "Dreamwalk"s onto George's Stage

Keiko Matsui is a Japanese producer, contemporary Jazz Pianist and composer whose career spans three decades, during which time she has released twenty CDs (in addition to various compilations) and has received international acclaim. Keiko Matsui grew up in Tokyo and took her first piano lesson at the age of five. Influenced by Stevie Wonder and Rachmaninov as well as early fusion masters Maurice Jarre and Chick Corea, Matsui began composing while in junior high but studied children's culture at the Japan Women's University (Nihon Joshidaigaku). She moved to the Yamaha Music Foundation in Tokyo after graduation and formed Cosmos, recording four albums with the new age group. Although Keiko has always had a connection to music it was not something she originally thought she would do professionally until she came to the US and experienced the responses from the audiences. She does not come from a musical family; her father was a businessman and her mother had an affinity for traditional Japanese dance but both supported her musical endeavors once they gleaned the happiness it brought their daughter.

A citizen of the world Keiko Matsui tours relentlessly and has brought her music to virtually every corner of the globe. Her music transcends boundary and her unique melting pot of musical influences have garnered her a devout international following. “Music has no borders and it creates a oneness among people,” confides the Japanese born pianist, composer and producer. “There have been many occasions when I have felt like music saved me. There is a connection between my fans and I and together in my music we are sharing harmony.”

An activist by nature, Keiko (pronounced Kay-Koe means ‘happy, celebratory child’ in Japanese) has not only used her music to speak to the world but she has lent her voice to causes championed by organizations like The United Nations World Food Programme, the Be March Marrow Registry and The National Donor Program and Marrow Foundation. With over a million and a half albums sold and scores of sold out concerts across the globe, Keiko Matsui is one of the brightest stars in instrumental music. Her free spirit and creative genius have afforded her the luxury to share the stage with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis to Hugh Masakela and Bob James. In 2011 Keiko’s long awaited, self produced and  22nd album "The Road" was released in the US  with high acclaim from music critics. In a Jazz Times review of "The Road" Brian Soergel wrote "Matsui combines all of her musical knowledge on a project boasting accessible jazz overtones and an acoustic sensibility."

One of the most salient and recognizable elements of Keiko Matsui’s music is her gift for crafting memorable melodies, which she describes as a “mirror or reflection" of herself at any given moment."I have always wanted to write melodies that stay in people’s hearts like traditional music or classical music, where the music lives on for centuries...There is something that connects everyone. We all have the ability to send love and receive love and we are all surrounded by a love from the universe.”

Keiko's love of humanity is expressed through her charity work. 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 benefited 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. In 2001 proceeds from Matsui's mini-CD "A Gift of Life" went to the National Marrow Donor Program and in 2004 royalties from the title track of Matsui's 2004 CD Wildflower went to support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) which helps fight world hunger. “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. 

Keiko has garnered numerous accolades and awards throughout the course of her musical career. In 2000, a PBS-TV special entitled Keiko Matsui: Light Above The Trees 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. During this time she released the poignant recording "The Ring", meant to communicate a message of peace, compassion, and humanity to listeners around the world.

“Music, touring and recording are not like a job for me but more like my calling. It is these experiences that energize me,” says Keiko. “ I look forward to sharing the oneness with people when I am on the road. We all need to stop fighting and come together. Music has a magical power that brings people together and I am hoping my music will help to bring harmony to the earth. This album is so special and important to me. I hope my music can reach inside my fans and touch and move their souls...My hope and aspiration is to continue to make a peaceful air on earth through my music.  Music is great – I have been fortunate to play in different countries with different religions – music connects us across all the differences!”