Keiko Matsui (松居慶子), born in Tokyo as Keiko Doi on July 26, 1961, is a Japa… Read Full Bio ↴Keiko Matsui (松居慶子), born in Tokyo as Keiko Doi on July 26, 1961, is a Japanese smooth jazz/new age pianist and composer whose music and sophisticated elegance have propelled her to success and established a cult following among her fans. A prolific recording artist, Matsui's career spans three decades, during which time she has released twenty CDs (in addition to various compilations) and has received international acclaim.
Matsui's music is powerful and introspective, blending both western and eastern musical influences. She has a very spiritual view of composing music, feeling out each composition as though it were, in her words, "coming to me from another space, another dimension," and "catching notes from the silence and then simply placing them together". Matsui sees music as "the great gifts from the human souls from the past, for the children of the future". She believes that music has a power to bring people together and change their lives. "We are connected by music," Matsui wrote, "as the Ocean connects the continents".
A lover of nature, Matsui often makes reference to plants, animals, the elements, and other natural features and phenomena in her song titles. She shows an especial fascination with the moon as a number of her compositions refer to the moon in their titles.
Matsui's music shows signs of evolving over the years. Her American debut album A Drop of Water showed a promise of east meets west with a jazz fusion flavor. However, her recordings for MCA Records in the early 1990s lacked this appeal and, for many, sounded indistinguishable from the rest of what is now known as smooth jazz. Starting with Cherry Blossom, though, her music increased in popularity as she differentiated herself from the rest of contemporary jazz. By the time Sapphire was released in 1995, her music flirted with everything from funk music to latin and world music.
Whisper From the Mirror from 2000 showed Matsui leaving the smooth jazz style and moving towards new age with a soundscape sound. A number of her fans had a problem adapting to her new style of music (though she continued to play smooth jazz at her concerts). But many welcomed the change. Over time her post-2000 albums show a more worldbeat flavor to them. Her 2005 release Walls of Akendora, however, is a throwback to her pre-2000, smooth jazz days.
Matsui's music is powerful and introspective, blending both western and eastern musical influences. She has a very spiritual view of composing music, feeling out each composition as though it were, in her words, "coming to me from another space, another dimension," and "catching notes from the silence and then simply placing them together". Matsui sees music as "the great gifts from the human souls from the past, for the children of the future". She believes that music has a power to bring people together and change their lives. "We are connected by music," Matsui wrote, "as the Ocean connects the continents".
A lover of nature, Matsui often makes reference to plants, animals, the elements, and other natural features and phenomena in her song titles. She shows an especial fascination with the moon as a number of her compositions refer to the moon in their titles.
Matsui's music shows signs of evolving over the years. Her American debut album A Drop of Water showed a promise of east meets west with a jazz fusion flavor. However, her recordings for MCA Records in the early 1990s lacked this appeal and, for many, sounded indistinguishable from the rest of what is now known as smooth jazz. Starting with Cherry Blossom, though, her music increased in popularity as she differentiated herself from the rest of contemporary jazz. By the time Sapphire was released in 1995, her music flirted with everything from funk music to latin and world music.
Whisper From the Mirror from 2000 showed Matsui leaving the smooth jazz style and moving towards new age with a soundscape sound. A number of her fans had a problem adapting to her new style of music (though she continued to play smooth jazz at her concerts). But many welcomed the change. Over time her post-2000 albums show a more worldbeat flavor to them. Her 2005 release Walls of Akendora, however, is a throwback to her pre-2000, smooth jazz days.
Light Above The Trees
Keiko Matsui Lyrics
Instrumental
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@charlesmangum3108
2022. Love this piece. The flute is exquisitely played. The piano and flute sets a mournful, yet cheery, mood. The guitar is done well.
@l.livingston1834
One of Keiko's most beautiful songs. I love it.
@eveseldercare
So many talented people were on KKSF Smooth Jazz back in the 90's that to this day are still my favorite artist...over 30 years later...
@crushedrgb
After discovering Keikos music back in 1995 with the release of Sapphire I have taken every opportunity to catch her performances. A show at Yoshies in 2006 was the most memorable as I wed my wife later that December. Light Above The Trees became our song and never fails to bring a tear and heart felt memories.
@kevp9601
Keiko Matsui, Your "Jazz Musician Ancestors" Up In "HEAVEN THE GOOD AFTERLIFE PARADISE" Would Be So "PROUD" of You, Girl ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
@antyhingforeverythingnew6285
The year is 2018. Still listening with the same excitement. This is MUSIC.
@SolidAbdel
2020 same
@royalbrooks8042
@Kira 2022 still listening
@6Meggers12
This song makes me feel like i am alone in a large rainforest. Keiko, your music transports us to a whole new world! your magnificint!!!!
@CatDaddy0327
I just wanna say that electric guitarist killed it!!! hes the man!!!