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| Alfresco Outdoor Concert Series featuring Keiko Mat The Westin Imagine Orlando is pleased to present the debut of the Alfresco Outdoor Concert Series featuring Keiko Matsui on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 5:00p.m. "This is the first of many intimate outdoor concert series that we will be hosting, " states Mike Speicher, General Manager of The Westin Imagine Orlando. "Guests will have the opportunity to experience world-class entertainment at sunset, taste great food and wine and enjoy signature Westin service." After the concert, guest can stay and have dinner in Fiorella's Cucina Toscana, where highly acclaimed Executive Chef Robert Mason will create a memorable meal, relax and have a drink in the Lobby Bar or listen to more live entertainment poolside. The hotel will also be offering luxury VIP Suite Packages and weekend hotel stay packages. To see the best view of the concert, stay in one of the two-bedroom VIP suites which offer a private balcony, full-kitchen, living room, dining room and a special food and beverage menu. It is the ideal location for entertaining clients or family during the performance. Weekend hotel packages are also available. Keiko Matsui is an icon of contemporary jazz. With over 1.2 million units sold in the U.S. alone and sold-out appearances at concert halls across the world, she is one of the most recognized artists in the genre. Her elegant piano melodies and gentle jazz grooves have enormous appeal and never disappoint the loyal fan base which she has cultivated with over a dozen albums and hundreds of stunning live shows. Matsui's latest release, a self-produced album, Moyo (Swahili for "heart and soul") is something of a departure for her. Recorded in South Africa, Japan and the United States with prominent south African musicians, Moyo introduces new sounds and rhythms absorbed from the local cultures. Keiko lived in South Africa while working on the record, "Until the sun went down, I concentrated on composing new material… it was a different but incredible experience." Matsui's Moyo evokes a sense of freedom and independence. Moyo is not only her first self-produced album, but it is also the first time she has including so many other guest musicians including a number of contemporary jazz stars; legendary trumpeter Hugh Masakela, tenor sax player Gerald Albright, soprano sax player Paul Taylor, and Richard Bona on bass and vocals. The result, Moyo, is unlike any other album she has recorded. 'Black River' from this CD was on the radio charts for 36 weeks, reaching #3. Matsui commenced her solo recording career with 1987's A Drop Of Water. The album established Matsui as a talent of note. Her subsequent albums, including Under Northern Lights (1989), No Borders (1990), Night Waltz (1991), Cherry Blossom (1992), Doll (1994), Sapphire (1995), and Dream Walk (1996) further cemented her reputation and increased her popularity. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |