Keiko Matsui goes on a "Soul Quest"

Pianist Keiko Matsui has released Soul Quest today, a CD that celebrates her 25 years in the industry. Joining her for the celebratory party is a cast of well-known people in the jazz music business including Narada Michael Walden, Chuck Loeb, Kirk Whalum, Marcus Miller and more.

It goes without saying that Keiko Matsui goes beyond her role as a jazz musician; she is also a passionate humanitarian.  Aside from raising awareness for causes such as The Daniel Pearl Foundation, The United Nations World Food Program plus more, Keiko also shares her concerns for humans and the earth through sound. 

Tracks such as “Antarctica – A Call to Action” which was produced by Narada Michael Walden and features Marcus Miller on bass is an example of this passion.  The message in the song according to Keiko is about the  melting in Antarctica and how much it affects the animals and the planet. The track is a laid-back single that features authentic whale sounds.

The CD was conceptualized and recorded during Keiko's visit to places around the world including New York, Japan, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Eastern Europe. Keiko's visits could very well be the contributing factor  to the musical assortment that is included here. The music within explores varied themes such as love, loss, spirituality and environmental consciousness.

“Dream Seeker” is the first track out of the box and it's a melodically sound piece that Keiko describes as a prayer for mankind. She wrote this song with guitarist Chuck Loeb and Chuck's enchanting guitar work goes hand in hand with Andy Snitzer's compelling saxophone.

“Black Lion” is a brilliant track that is soulful and spirit-lifting. The name of the track is actually taken from a restaurant in Georgia where Keiko visited in Europe. It is also the place where she  had heard a sad story about the artist behind one of the paintings that hung there. This track was meant to reflect happiness.

Eastern Europe continues to be the inspiration behind yet another track. “A Night With Cha Cha” was named after a liquor that Keiko learned about while in Georgia. Sax player Kirk Whalum lends his effortless talent to this track which has a samba feel to it.

“Top Secret', co-produced by Chuck Loeb, is a romantic personal favorite. The muted trumpet from Giulio Carmassi plus Keiko's light tickle of the ivories give this track a lot of magic and appeal.

Chuck is also behind other tracks on the CD including “Proof and “Two Hearts.”

“Moving Mountain” and “Stingo”, the latter dedicated to singer Sting, are the two tracks that Keiko co-wrote with Narada Michael Walden.

Keiko 25 years ago

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 recordingThe 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 Program’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.