Yukiko Matsuyama

Bio:

Yukiko Matsuyama bridges eras and cultures. 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 from the Ikuta School of Koto in 1986.

In 1993 Matsuyama came to Los Angeles and began composing original music, blending the traditional sound of the koto with contemporary music. The results are a unique combination of jazz, new age, pop, and world music.

Ms. Matsuyama has performed with a diverse array of artists including Munyungo Jackson, Paul Winter, John York, Rei Aoo Dance Planet, Hirokazu Kosaka, Tadashi Namba, James Gadson, Tom Kurai, Hirotaka Ogawa, Diana Dentino, Koji Nakamura, Mike Bennett & Reed Gratz.

Venues include the Japan America Theatre, the John Anson Ford Theatre, The Miho Museum, the Grand Canyon National Park, LACMA, the Huntington Library, the Bowers Museum, and at many music festivals, cultural and community events, universities and schools.

Ms. Matsuyama recorded in Japan with the Paul Winter Consort including, Paul McCandless, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Steve Gorn & Dhruba Ghosh on the Grammy Winning album Miho: Journey to the Mountain.

A 13-string zither or harp, the Koto is Japan’s national instrument. Discography: Kazaguruma (1999), Tsubomi (2003), Koto (2003) & Crème Brulée (2010).

The koto, a 13-string zither or harp like instrument, originated in China and came to Japan in the 7th-8th century. Today, it is the national instrument of Japan.

The six foot long hollow body is traditionally made from Paulownia wood (kiri). Underneath the body are two sound holes, one at each end. The 13 strings are tied over stationary bridges at each end of the body. The strings are generally all the same size and same tension.

A movable bridge, called a ji, is placed somewhere along the length of each string. The ji lift the strings off of the body so that they will resonate when plucked. The strings are tuned by sliding the movable bridges back and forth.

The koto player sits, or in Yukiko’s case stands, at the top end of the instrument and plucks the strings in the area just to the left of the top bridge. The strings are plucked with three picks, called plectrums, which are attached to the thumb and first two fingers.

The left hand is used to bend the strings in the area to the left of the ji. Pressing the strings toward the koto body causes them to go sharp (as much as 1 note), and pulling them towards the ji causes them to go slightly flat. The left hand is also used to create vibrato.

Ms. Matsuyama is available for performances and recording sessions. info@YukikoMatsuyama.com

KotoYuki Hotline (760) 576-KOTO

Member Since:

Members:

Diana Dentino - piano & keyboards

Greg Vail - sax & flute

Vince VanTrigt - bass

Mike Bennett - drums & percussion

Chris Darrow - guitar

Dave Wood - guitar

David Brock - violin & viola

Daniel Mulliken - cello

Michael Kotzen - cajon

Some of the incredible musicians that I've had the opportunity to play with on recent gigs and/or sessions include:

Paul Winter

Munyungo Jackson

Paul McCandless

Tadashi Namba

James Gadson

Billy Mitchell

Leon Mobley

Austin Peralta

Tom Kurai

Koji Nakamura

Reed Gratz

Jon Rothe

Mike Bennett

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