Bob James And Keiko Matsui Touring Together Again
Source: smoothjazznetwork.com
Smooth jazz pianists Bob James and Keiko Matsui has announced several tour dates for next month that will once again showcase their style of four-hand piano playing. They first performed this way in 2001 in Matsui’s native Japan. They also did several shows early last year in the U.S.
“We’re both on the same bench, playing at cross-hands sometimes, and it’s a very big challenge,” says James, who added that he and Matsui will also play some solo selections. “It was a kind of genre that was very popular in the 19th century before hi-fi stereos came along. So many of the composers had arrangements made of these big symphonic works, to have two people, so that somebody could be playing down on the bass register all the big chords. And somebody else playing up in the top part of the piano. That whole thing became a little bit out of fashion in recent years because we have recordings that allow us to be able to hear all that stuff anytime we want to.”
In addition, Matsui has announced several solo shows for March in the U.S., including at the 20th annual Berks Jazz Fest.
Keiko Matsui & Bob James: An Evening of Four Hand and Solo Piano
February 6: Milliken Auditorium at Dennos Museum Center; Traverse
City, MI
February 9-10: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant; Minneapolis, MN
February 12-14: Manchester Craftsman’s Guild; Pittsburgh, PA
Keiko Matsui And Band
March 4-7: Blues Alley; Washington, DC
March 12: One World Theatre; Austin,TX
March 13: McCallum Theatre; Palm Desert, CA
March 19: Bennett School; Bennett, CO
March 27: Miller Center for the Arts; Reading, PA (Berks Jazz Fest)