LA VERNE — Yukiko Matsuyama will present a World Music Concert on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at University of La Verne’s Morgan Auditorium, 1950 3rd St., La Verne.
The evening of Japanese-flavored world pop with a dose of R&B and a touch of funk will feature legendary Motown drummer James Gadson Greg Vail on sax and flute; Diana Dentino on keyboards; Steve Biondo on percussion; Vince van Trigt on bass; and very special guest Phil Collen of Def Leppard.
Matsuyama’s original compositions fuse the rhythms of Los Angeles with the flavors of her native Japan. From performing with Shakira at the Latin Grammy Awards and recording with Paul Winter on his Grammy Award-winning album, “Miho: Journey to the Mountain” (best New Age album), to recording with Weather Report alumnus Alphonso Johnson, Matsuyama introduces the sound of the ancient koto to diverse audiences worldwide.
Gadson is one of the most recorded R&B drummers of all time. His beats can be heard on the Temptations album “1990,” released on the Motown label in 1973. In 1975 he played with Martha Reeves, Randy Crawford, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, BB King, Albert King, Rose Royce and the Motown classic double-platinum album “City of Angels.” Gadson appeared on several tracks on the 2005 Paul McCartney album “Chaos & Creation in the Back Yard.”
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, go to www.KotoYuki.EventBrite.com.
Visit Matsuyama’s website at www.YukikoMatsuyama.com.
