Washington, D.C. –
The United States Air Force Band hosted contemporary jazz pianist Keiko Matsui at a Guest Artist Series concert at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall on Sunday, Feb. 26 2012. The concert was hosted by the Commander of the Chief's Own 11th Wing, Col. Kenneth Rizer.
The performance, Matsui's fourth appearance at the Band's Guest Artist Series, was attended by thousands of enthusiastic residents of and visitors to the Washington, D.C. area. She was joined by members of The U.S. Air Force Band's Concert Band, Singing Sergeants and Air Force Strings, all under the baton of conductor 2nd Lt. Shanti Nolan.
Matsui performed nine selections, including three of her biggest hits: "The First Four Years", "Safari" and "Bridge Over the Stars". Six of those nine were orchestrated for her by current or former members of The U.S. Air Force Band arranging staff, including two selections from her newest CD, "The Road."
In addition to the Air Force Band performers, Matsui was joined on stage by musicians from her own band: saxophonist Jackiem Joyner, drummer Chad Wright and bassist Eric Baines. Having performed with him at her previous appearance with The U.S. Air Force Band in 2009, Matsui also requested Max Impact guitarist Technical Sgt. Matt Geist by name to join her rhythm section. Additionally, the Air Force Strings' Technical Sgt. Frank Busso stepped in with one day's notice to play a crucial accordion part on "Bohemian Concerto."
Also featured on the concert was the winner of the Band's Young Artist Competition, Evan Zegiel, a tubist from Boca Raton, Fla. He performed the first movement of Edward Gregson's Tuba Concerto with the Concert Band.
The performance represented Lieutenant Nolan's first with the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants. "Thank you to The USAF Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, Strings, Max Impact, the production team, Evan Zegiel and Keiko Matsui and her band for a wonderful performance tonight," said Nolan.
A frequent guest artist through the years with The U.S. Air Force Band, Keiko Matsui remains one of the top contemporary jazz pianists in the world. Dubbed the "first lady of contemporary jazz," Matsui was named Billboard's Jazz Artist of the Year in 1996, and she received the Essence Award from the American Society of Young Musicians in 1997.
She has created over a dozen highly praised recordings, including "Sapphire" and "Deep Blue", both of which reached number one on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. With over 1.2 million units sold in the U.S. and sold-out appearances at concert halls across the world, Matsui is one of the most recognized artists in the genre.