
Richmond, VA – Competing with an NCAA championship that included the home state favorite, UVA and with a weather forecast that called for a dark and stormy night, world renowned jazz artist, Keiko Matsui electrified the sold-out audience at the Tin Pan in Richmond, VA on April 8th, 2019.
The performance opened with a lead in by her international band setting the stage for โUnshakeableโ, a piece from her 28th recording, โEchoโ. This was a lively piece that, and if one listened, had a little island (Reggae) flare. This was a perfect opening number because it allowed her to showcase the touring band, consisting of Jimmy Branly from Cuba on drums, JP Mourรฃo from Brazil on guitar and Rico Belled from The Netherlands on bass.
After the applause subsided, Keiko addressed the crowd with a smile that would melt anyoneโs heart. Her humor was obvious when she (correctly) pointed out that the show was sold-out and there was not an empty seat, despite the college event that was grabbing much of the stateโs attention. On this night, all eyes and ears at The Tin Pan were on Keiko.
Even though Keiko was the headliner, she never shied away from giving her tour band credit. There were many opportunities throughout the performance for each member to share their talents with the audience, from Ricoโs solos, to JPโs riffs, and even a little bare hand drum kit action by Jimmy.
As the night progressed Keiko told many of the stories behind the music she composed. The most touching (to this correspondent) was the music she had written after her youngest daughter said, โI love you Mom, forever foreverโ. When she played the piece, also titled โForever Foreverโ, one could feel the joy that only a parent can feel when wrapped in the unconditional love of a child. The intimacy offered by the table seating at The Tin Pan was perfect for the โstory behind the musicโ performance Keiko offers.
Keiko spoke of the many influences in her music that reflect her vision of life and the world we live in. There are spiritual elements in much of her work. When she introduced โReturn to Eternityโ from her newest album, we learned it was inspired by the realization that the soul that is granted us at birth must be returned to the root of the soul when we leave this earth.
Keikoโs music has blessed the jazz scene since the late 1980s. She has collaborated with greats such as Bob James and the late Miles Davis to name a couple. Listening to her music, it is apparent that not only is she wonderful at putting thoughts to melody, but she has a worldwide knowledge of music. Several of the pieces had noticeable influences from many different regional music styles. I am sure this correspondent missed a few, but on this night there was an obvious island influence (โUnshakeableโ) and Latin influence in โCasablancaโ from her 27th recording, โJourney to the Heartโ; and in โViva Lifeโ and โEchoโ from her current album. During the performance of โCasablancaโ, the audience was also introduced to the unique sound of a melodica, a breath powered keyboard.
Prior to her last set piece of the night she talked of her recent Eastern European tour (Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan), 31 days and 19 performances. International touring can be draining but the sharing of the music is uplifting. Her last set piece, โViva Lifeโ, was all about living life.
After the standing ovation, she asked, with a smile, โOne more?โ The answer was an obvious! โYES!โ. She treated the audience to one of her best-known pieces, โBridge over the Starsโ from her 1996 best selling album, Dream Walk. If you have never heard the tune, I recommend doing so with closed eyesโฆ it is easy to imagine the feeling of looking down from above the stars, a true grand finale.
On a night that was to be dark and stormy, Keiko and her band brought energy to The Tin Pan with her music and words. She is indeed a performer that can capture oneโs heart, mind, and ear.
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Unshakable
Moon Over Gotham
Echo
Spirit Dance
Marlin Club Blues
Forever Forever
Moving On
Return to Eternity
Casablanca
Viva Life
Encore Bridge Over the Stars