Award-winning keyboardist Keiko Matsui brings her mellow, almost new-age contemporary jazz sound to Yoshi's for three nights. One of the most popular and innovative "quiet storm" jazz artists ever, Matsui ranks just behind Boney James and Kenny G in terms of sales. Matsui has become one of instrumental music's most distinctive and dynamic composers while reaching new heights as a concert performer.
Drawing influence from fusion players like Chick Corea as well as Asian and Western classical music, Matsui creates a totally unique sound. Her collaborations with husband Kazu (who plays a traditional Japanese flute called the shakuhachi) have been chart-topping smashes since Matsui's first album in 1987.
Matsui's latest recording Soul Quest features such heavyweights as producer and drummer Narada Michael Walden, guitarist Chuck Loeb, saxophonist Kirk Whalum and bassist Marcus Miller, among others. She plays the Bankhead Theater in Livermore Friday night.
Keiko Matsui
Friday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m. $16-$49
Bankhead Theater