Japan's Keiko Matsui stands out as an internationally recognized pianist and composer whose work blends smooth jazz, fusion, and new age elements. Active since the late 1980s, she has released numerous recordings such as Under Northern Lights in 1989, the chart-topping Sapphire from 1995, and Journey to the Heart in 2016, each centering her acoustic piano while reflecting Western and Eastern traditions alongside themes of nature and spirituality. That 2016 release coincided with her 30th year as a recording artist. Her 2019 electro-acoustic project Echo presented her most refined set of compositions up to that point, and Euphoria arrived in 2023 performed by a carefully assembled ensemble of top-tier players.
Born in 1961, Matsui spent her childhood in Tokyo and began piano studies at age five. Early inspirations from Stevie Wonder, Rachmaninov, Maurice Jarre, and Chick Corea led her to start writing music during junior high, though she later pursued studies in children's culture at Japan Women's University. After graduation she joined the Yamaha Music Foundation in Tokyo, where she co-founded the new age ensemble Cosmos and recorded four albums with the group. Her debut solo effort, A Drop of Water from 1987, reached American audiences two years later via Passport and included contributions from her husband and frequent collaborator, shakuhachi player Kazu Matsui; the project was funded in part by their honeymoon savings. An MCA contract secured that same year produced Under Northern Lights and No Borders, both featuring guest appearances by saxophonist Eric Marienthal, guitarist Robben Ford, and additional musicians.
Matsui transitioned to the White Cat label in 1992 and began registering stronger showings on contemporary jazz charts. Sapphire reached the top position in 1995, while its successor also landed in the Top Ten the following year. Whisper from the Mirror came out in 2000, followed by Deep Blue in 2001. The 2002 album The Ring evoked her classical roots, whereas Wildflower from 2004 incorporated world-music touches. Walls of Akendora surfaced in 2005 with a smooth-jazz sensibility and a refreshed take on her earlier track “Mountain Shakedown.” In 2007 Shout! Factory issued Moyo, which framed her piano against orchestral arrangements.
Following an extensive world tour and multiple festival performances, Matsui stepped back briefly before returning with The Road... on Shanachie in 2011. She handled most production duties herself and enlisted Richard Bona, Craig Burbridge, and Joe Chicarelli for select tracks. The nine-song collection highlighted her playing across trio to octet configurations and welcomed guests including Bona, Kirk Whalum, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jackiem Joyner. Also in 2011 she joined Bob James for Altair & Vega on eOne, a recording that placed both pianists at one instrument simultaneously. Soul Quest appeared in 2013 with entirely new material yet many familiar collaborators; it peaked at number six on the jazz charts and preceded a two-year global tour that ended with the 2015 audio-visual release Live in Tokyo.
While on retreat at Catalina Island early the next year, Matsui reflected on her recent artistic path and began crafting melodies aimed at a more streamlined, organic sound. She brought in bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and drummer Jimmy Branly from Cuba, guitarist Ramon Stagnero from Peru, percussionist Luis Quintero from Venezuela, harmonica player Gregoire Maret, and a string section. Journey to the Heart emerged in August, marking three decades as a recording artist. Echo followed in 2019 with input from Kirk Whalum on saxophone, bassists Marcus Miller and Kyle Eastwood, and vocalist Gretchen Parlato.
Matsui issued Euphoria in March 2023. Filled with optimism and hope, the album drew on an all-star lineup that included Lalah Hathaway, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Kirk Whalum, Gregoire Maret, and an orchestral string section.
