SJM: "What's in a name?" they say... well Keiko, meaning "happy and blessed child" (in Japanese) is what I hear when I listen to your music. As a child did you imagine yourself becoming, someone with the potential of earning a living by using a gift that would ultimately become a blessing making so many people happy?
KEIKO: Not at all. I didn't really aim to become a professional musician because I was a very active child. I was into studying, sports...many things. But besides that I was taking piano lessons and I started composing...like a diary little small songs. But somehow when I was in Junior High School, I had an opportunity to compose for a movie soundtrack in Japan. So along with several compositions the Director chose my melody as a theme song and I had the great opportunity to record with an Orchestra and that was the first time I found my interest for composing.
SJM: During your creative process do you capture experiences that you found breathtaking and use your piano to create the canvas that allows listeners to visualize your experience?
KEIKO: Yes, somehow during my life the piano became the way that I started expressing myself. When I receive or catch melodies I don't actually play the piano. Sometimes I sit in front of the piano or I'm dreaming or working something in my country (Tokyo) when it comes to me I start playing the piano, improvising on the piano feels great and phrases come to me when I am capturing the material for a new album. At the beginning of the process however, I start with a white canvas, 100% blank.
SJM: When your touring what stands out as one of your favorite venues to perform and why?
Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Smooth Jazz Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Smooth Jazz Magazine.
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Dan Seigal Unity
When my publisher of Smooth Jazz Magazine asked me to do a review, I was initially hesitant as I am in deep preparation and learning with The Second Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninoff...
Bob Holz Night Watch
Renowned jazz fusion composer and drummer Bob Holz brings us his seventh album, “Nightwatch.”
The Building of a Legacy - MARCUS ANDERSON
The musical presence and footprint of jazz fusion artist Marcus Anderson is being felt in places that perhaps only few have reached.
Live with Blak Aaron
The rhythmic sounds of international guitarist Blake Aaron's accompanied by Will Donato's melodic sounds on saxophone under the direction of the musical director and bassist John Dillard and his band mesmerized their Middle C Jazz audiences in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina on August 16, 2024.
NORMAN BROWN It Hits Different
This is what I will be going for rest of my life
Ellis Hamilton Defying the Odds and Energy Unmatched!
Readers, I’m honored to introduce Mr. Ellis Hamilton to you. If you don’t know him or his music yet, you will! I met Ellis on May 20, 2023, at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Why can tell you the exact date? Well, Najee was performing that evening and receiving an award.
John Ernesto The End of an Era @BERKS
I had the pleasure of speaking with John Ernesto, the Artistic Director of the Berks Jazz Festival for over three decades.
Brian Bromberg – The Magic of Moonlight
What a pleasure to have Brian Bromberg back feeling better and with new music.
The 2023 Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
Conguero Poncho Sanchez, a west coast legend and mainstay of all things Latin Jazz and Salsa, had the audience in the palms of his hands with freshly recorded new music from an upcoming album featuring arrangements by Francisco Torre.
KAYLA WATERS
Has been able to fuse her faith into her music rather effortlessly. As she prepared for the release of her latest album entitled \"Presence,\" she took time out to speak with Smooth Jazz Magazine about her career, her music, and her Divine inspiration..