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KEIKO MATSUI BARES HER “HEART AND SOUL” WITH
MOYO
Matsui’s First Self-Produced Album
Recorded in South Africa, Japan and the United States With Guest Musicians such as Jonas Gwangwa, Hugh Masekela, Richard Bona, Tlale Makhene, Lucas Senyatso, Lawrence Matshiza, Rob Watson, Gerald Albright and Paul Taylor.
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Los Angeles, CA—Contemporary Jazz icon Keiko Matsui’s new album, Moyo (Swahili for "heart and soul"), recorded on location with musicians in South Africa, Japan and the United States, introduces new sounds and rhythms to her elegant piano melodies and gentle jazz grooves.
The 12 new songs on Moyoevoke a sense of freedom and independence, as this is the first time Matsui has had total artistic control. For this special project, Matsui invited other artists into the creative process, including legendary trumpeter Jonas Gwangwa, Hugh Masekela, tenor sax player Gerald Albright, soprano sax player Paul Taylor, Richard Bona on bass and vocals Akira Jimbo on drums and Waldemar Bastos on Vocals.
Keiko found inspiration for her new album right here on South African soil. “I always feel so happy, inspired and deep when I’m in South Africa,” she says. She has been inspired by her experience of our song and dance, wildlife, family values, cultures and even our famous home brewed “Umqombothi.” As she traveled the country her pen and paper were always near and before she knew it out came the album, personal, real, close to her heart and aptly titled Moyo – Heart and Soul.
Recording in South Africa influenced the songs on the album greatly. “A Great Romance” was inspired by a piano factory in the country side, the only place available for rehearsal. The track titled “Marula” was written after she tasted the marula fruit from an elephant tree.
Throughout her career, Keiko has sold over 2 million units in the US alone. Sold-out appearances at concert halls across the world make her one of the most recognized artists in the genre, a mainstay on the concert circuit. Matsui looks forward to an extensive world tour this spring and summer in cities around the world including South Africa and Ukraine to Los Angeles, CA and New York.
For more info, check out her website on www.keikomatsui.com
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