Yukiko Matsuyama

International recording artist Yukiko Matsuyama bridges eras and cultures. From performing with Shakira at the Latin Grammy Awards, recording with Paul Winter on his Grammy Award Winning album, ‘Miho: Journey to the Mountain’ (Best New Age Album), to performing with Motown Legend James Gadson, Yukiko shares the sound of the Japanese koto with diverse audiences worldwide.

Her compositions for koto and western instruments delve into a joyous and celebrative blend of world and pop music. She delivers the sounds of the ancient 7th century instrument with authority and grace while managing to infuse elements of jazz, pop, new age, and world music into her mesmerizing compositions.

Born in Osaka Japan Matsuyama was classically trained at the Ikuta School of Koto from age 9. She received her professional certification and teaching credential in 1986.

In 1993 Matsuyama moved to Los Angeles and began composing original music, blending the traditional sound of the koto with western music.

Her best selling CD, Crème Brulée, is a delicious feast which blends the Japanese flavors of the Koto with rhythms from around the world and features Greg Vail’s soulful saxophone.

She recorded in Japan with the Paul Winter Consort and is featured on Paul Winter’s CD; Miho – Journey to the Mountain (Grammy Winner – Best New Age Album, 2011).

Matsuyama performed at the Latin Grammys in November 2011. For the event, she performed with Shakira on Antes De Las Seis, the latest single from her album, Sale El Sol, for which Shakira won the Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Album.

Her latest project, Beyond the Space, is an International Pop collaboration with Hirotaka Ogawa and his Tokyo based band. CD Release Concerts were held in Osaka, Tokyo, North Hollywood & Santa Ana.

Other notable musicians with whom Ms. Matsuyama has performed and/or recorded include Munyungo Jackson, Alphonso Johnson, John York, Rei Aoo Dance Planet, Eugene Friesen, Lenny Castro, Paul McCandless, Tadashi Namba, James Gadson, Kenny Endo, Shuichi Hidano, Jason Mraz, Diana Dentino, Koji Nakamura, Austin Peralta, Hiroyuki Hayashida, Reed Gratz, Tom Kurai and Mike Bennett.

Venues include The Japan America Theatre, The John Anson Ford Theatre, Grand Canyon National Park, LACMA, Kokusai Forum Tokyo, Universal Studios, San Diego Museum of Art, Huntington Library, The Bowers Museum, St John Cathedral NY, Gwinnett Center Atlanta, The Miho Museum Shiga and cultural events throughout the United States and Japan.

Film work includes Freeway City with Brian O’Neal, From the Shadows, directed by Matt Antell, soundtrack composed by Steven Gutheinz, Turning Japanese by Paul Bickel, and a music video with jazz pianist Billy Mitchell.

A 13-string zither or harp, the Koto is Japan’s national instrument.

Discography

Beyond the Space (2011 Japan, 2012 U.S.A.) - Yukiko Matsuyama & Hirotaka Ogawa Band

Return to the River (2011) - Madi Sato

Miho: Journey to the Mountain (2010) - The Paul Winter Consort (Grammy Winner – Best New Age Album)

Crème Brulée (2010) - Yukiko Matsuyama & Koto Yuki Band

Tsubomi (2003) - Yukiko Matsuyama & Koto Yuki  Band

Koto (2003) - Yukiko Matsuyama & John York (of the Byrds)

Kazaguruma (1999) - Yukiko Matsuyama & Koto Yuki Band