Keiko Matsui is a Japanese keyboardist and composer, specializing in smooth jazz and New-age music. Keiko Matsui was born in Tokyo, Japan. Her mother took her to her first piano lesson at 6, based on the Japanese tradition that a child who is introduced to something at this time will continue in those studies for a long time. The tradition held true for Matsui, who studied piano throughout her school years. Though her early training focused on classical music, in junior high school she developed an interest in jazz and began composing her own music. She produced her album The Road and recorded it with Richard Bona, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jackiem Joyner and Kirk Whalum. Her album Soul Quest (2013) reached No. 6 on the jazz chart.