Osaka born koto musician Yukiko Matsuyama was featured during global superstar Shakira’s performance at the 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, November 10, 2011.
It was a special night for Matsuyama, an international koto artist, who was honored to have the opportunity to perform with Shakira and to introduce and share the national instrument of Japan with a new worldwide audience. According to the Nielsen Company over eleven million viewers tuned in to all or part of the live three-hour broadcast on the Univision Network.
For the event, Matsuyama performed with Shakira on Antes De Las Seis, her latest single from the album, Sale El Sol, for which Shakira won the Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Album.
Shakira has won two Grammy Awards and eight Latin Grammy Awards. She is the second most successful female Latin singer after Gloria Estefan, having sold over 60 million albums worldwide according to Sony Music Entertainment.
Antes De Las Seis, written by Shakira and Luis Fernando Ochoa, begins with a melody on the koto. Shakira has told many interviewers that she has grown fond of listening to oriental music, which influenced many of her earlier works.
For the performance, Matsuyama wore a gorgeous pale blue kimono designed by Sueko Oshimoto.
Matsuyama, who now calls Southern California home, recently returned from Tokyo & Osaka where she performed several concerts to celebrate the Japanese release of her fifth CD, Beyond the Space. The U.S. release date is scheduled for January 2012.
Although the show with Shakira marked the first time Matsuyama has performed with a Latin Pop Star, she’s no stranger to unique, non-traditional settings for her instrument. Matsuyama’s compositions span the realm of genres from pop to smooth jazz with elements of world beat and funk. Last year she recorded with the Paul Winter Consort on their Grammy Winning New Age album, Miho: Journey to the Mountain. She’s also recorded with jazz pianist Billy Mitchell, John York (Byrds) and is currently working on an R&B project.
Upcoming performances include an Alaskan tour with her international pop band, and shows in New Mexico, Atlanta, and New York. In between, Matsuyama stays busy with sessions and film work.
Click to see video… Latin Grammy Awards Performance and here for Photos with the Band.
