The CD Release Concert will showcase her band from Japan in their first appearance in the United States. The CD was released in Japan last October to rave reviews. The band features Hirotaka Ogawa (guitars & vocals), Ideya Oku (drums & percussion), Naoya Izumi (bass), and Kouki Akashi (keyboards), Diana Dentino (keyboards). The amazing Lenny Castro will join on percussion for the celebration on Sunday, August 19th.
International recording artist Yukiko Matsuyama bridges eras and cultures. Her compositions for koto and western instruments delve into a joyous and celebrative blend of world and pop music. She delivers the sounds of the ancient 7th century instrument with authority and grace while managing to infuse elements of jazz, pop, new age, and world music into her mesmerizing compositions.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Matsuyama was classically trained at the Ikuta School of Koto from age 9. She received her professional certification and teaching credential in 1986.
In 1993 Matsuyama moved to Los Angeles and began composing original music, blending the traditional sound of the koto with western music.
Her best selling CD, Crème Brulée, is a delicious feast which blends the Japanese flavors of the Koto with rhythms from around the world and features Greg Vail’s soulful saxophone.
She recorded in Japan with the Paul Winter Consort and is featured on Paul Winter’s latest CD; Miho – Journey to the Mountain (Grammy Winner– Best New Age Album, 2011).
Matsuyama performed at the Latin Grammys in November 2011. For the event, she performed with Shakira on Antes De Las Seis, the latest single from her album, Sale El Sol, for which Shakira won the Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Album.
Beyond the Space, a collaboration with Hirotaka Ogawa was recently released exclusively in Japan with concerts in Osaka and Tokyo.
Other notable musicians with whom Ms. Matsuyama has performed include Munyungo Jackson, John York, Rei Aoo Dance Planet, Eugene Friesen, Paul McCandless, Tadashi Namba, James Gadson, Diana Dentino, Koji Nakamura, Austin Peralta, Hiroyuki Hayashida, Reed Gratz, Tom Kurai and Mike Bennett.
Venues include The Japan America Theatre, The John Anson Ford Theatre, Grand Canyon National Park, LACMA, Kokusai Forum Tokyo, Huntington Library, The Bowers Museum, St. John Cathedral NY, Gwinnett Center Atlanta, The Miho Museum Shiga and cultural events throughout the United States and Japan.
Recent film work includes From the Shadows, directed by Matt Antell, soundtrack composed by Stephen Gutheinz, Turning Japanese by Paul Bickel, and a music video with jazz pianist Billy Mitchell.
A 13-string zither or harp, the Koto is Japan’s national instrument.
