Concert Review: Keiko Matsui at Buffalo State

Sophisticated Musicianship Thrilled Her Raucous Fans

Keiko Matsui, April 13, 2024 at Buffalo State College, Performance Hall, Buffalo, New York. All images taken by Kirsten Anderson, © Kirsten Anderson.

On Saturday April 13, 2024 Keiko Matsui brought her band Jimmy Branly (drums), João Pedro (JP) Mourão, (guitar), and Rico Belled (bass) to an enthusiastic audience at Buffalo State’s Performance Hall in support of her most recent recording, Euphoria (2023).

Matsui’s music may be fairly characterized as “smooth jazz,” as it is a sub-genre of “jazz fusion” which emphasizes lyric melody, R&B rhythms, and is “easy listening.” Matsui’s smooth sound should not be confused with the pandering, saccharine sounds of Kenny G and others whose unlistenable bleating represents the musical equivalent of romance novels.

Euphoria boasts an impressive list of guests, including Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Grégoire Maret, John Beasley, Joel Ross, Lalah Hathaway and Kirk Whalum. Indeed, the title track is emblematic of the album’s layered sound which includes strings and Joel Ross’ vibraphone.