KEIKO MATSUI is a stunning, profound pianist, celebrating over 35 years of recording with the release of her new acclaimed album ‘Euphoria’ (Shanachie 2023). The LOS ANGELES TIMES calls Matsui, “An electrifying performer.” Tickets for KEIKO MATSUI and her Band at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Friday April 5 at 7 & 9:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2024 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy’s Online Event Calendar at: https://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club Features World-Renowned & Award-Winning Jazz Pianist and Composer KEIKO MATSUI and her Acclaimed Band on Friday April 5 at 7 & 9:30 P.M. Keiko Matsui‘s music has been critically acclaimed around the world. She is known for her crossover mix of Smooth Jazz, Fusion, and New Age music, and has won numerous awards including Billboard’s “Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Year”.
“She is relentless in adding harmonic and rhythmic invention and imagination to virtually everything she does…”
— ALLMUSIC
“An influential, globally acclaimed contemporary jazz artist, keyboardist-composer…”
— MUSIC CONNECTION
“Spiritually uplifting anthems”
— JAZZ TIMES
“A musician of depth, range, grace and talent.”
— ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Born in Tokyo, Japan KEIKO MATSUI began playing the piano at the age of six. She composed her first pieces of music when she was in junior high school. In her teenage years Matsui was inspired by a presentation from the great jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and decided to pursue her dreams of becoming a jazz musician. Matsui’s talent was quickly recognized by other international jazz artists. At the age of 17, the Yamaha Music Foundation gave her the opportunity to become one of their recording artists.
In the late 1980s she was invited by Miles Davis to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival. After the festival, she moved to Los Angeles and recorded her first album, A Drop of Water, in 1991. Over the course of her career, she has released over 25 acclaimed studio albums and has collaborated with other renowned artists, including Miles Davis, Bela Fleck, Bob James, Earl Klugh, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Randy Brecker, Kirk Whalum, Stevie Wonder, and numerous others.
Keiko Matsui’s 1995 album Sapphire hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. Keiko’s album Deep Blue (2001) topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart for three consecutive weeks. She is the first Japanese artist to achieve this honor. In 2003, she enjoyed further 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 album 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 Keiko.
In 2011, Keiko recorded with fellow pianist Bob James on an acclaimed four-hand piano project called Altair & Vega. In 2013, Keiko celebrated the release of her critically lauded album Soul Quest, which is the musical inspiration behind Live in Toyko (2015). This same year she was also an invited guest in Istanbul for International Jazz Day alongside luminaries Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and Terence Blanchard.
In 2016, Keiko released the album Journey To The Heart, which was Keiko’s first acoustic project. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. In 2019, the album Echo further solidified Keiko’s place as one of the most significant and thrilling pianists in contemporary jazz!
Keiko harnesses joy on her 30th album recording Euphoria (2023 on Shanachie). She enlists an all-star contingency of special guests including vocalist Lalah Hathaway, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Mike Stern, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, vibist Joel Ross, harmonica player Gregoire Maret and pianist/arranger John Beasley. Keiko is also joined by her touring band, Bassist RICO BELLED, Guitarist JP MOURAO and Drummer JIMMY BRANLEY, who she credits for making the rigors of touring bearable.
Euphoria is a watershed moment for Keiko as she has poured her heart and soul into this project and the result is an utterly inspiring and epic statement. Keiko declares, “At the core of this album is beauty, strength, energy, love, and hope. These are all the things in life that we need to move forward on a new path. This music is dedicated to a new era. If we lead with our hearts, all of mankind and humanity can take this new direction.”
Keiko Matsui’s influence extends beyond her music. She has created a foundation that provides educational opportunities for children in Japan and has also established a scholarship program for young musicians. Her commitment to philanthropy has helped shape the lives of countless young people who have been inspired by her work. With each passing year, Matsui continues to make an indelible mark on the world of jazz.
KEIKO MATSUI Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club’s 2024 Schedule of Shows now includes 5 NEA Jazz Masters, 34 GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artists, 36 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 325+ GRAMMY® Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for KEIKO MATSUI and her Band at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club on Friday April 5 at 7 & 9:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2024 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy’s Online Event Calendar at: https://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
ABOUT JIMMY’S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
The mission of Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.JimmysOnCongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy’s Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy’s Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its’ outstanding Wine List.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY’S
An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy’s Private Event Request Form.
JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants — Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Waterview Grille — all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.
