"Erika’s voice is filled with sentiment and warmth. She integrates both passion and gentle emotion into her lyrics" - DR. Lonnie Smith (Organ) 　 　　★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 　　Carlton Holmes (piano),Romero Lubambo (guitar) Paulo Levi (Tenor,soprano sax)Yosvany Terry (soprano and Alto sax) Freddie Bryant (guitar), Essiet Essiet (bass) Willard Dyson (drums) Nanny Assis (per) 　　★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 　　Originally from Fukuoka, Japan, Erika Matsuos musical journey began with classical piano lessons as a child and her singing originals in the all-girl rock group Tear Drops during her high school years. Their success of winning the first prize at the Japan 1995 Yamaha Teens Music Festival and She performed her original songs at Fukuoka Symphony Hall Her favorite artists are MondayMichiru, United Future Organization. Determined to hone her skills as a complete jazz artist, Erika came to New York in February 2000 and enrolled at The City College Of New York (CCNY) where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in jazz in May 2003. She performed several Shows as a guest vocalist with Latin Big Band lead by Ray Santos in 2001. In college, she studied voice with Sheila Jordan?Carol Fredette, Jennette LoVetri, Kate Baker and Jay Clayton, piano with Michika Ishikawa and Ray Gallon. She credits these instructions to shape and develop her fine sense of delivery, expression and style. She was one of the 10 finalists of Kobe Vocal Queen Competition in 2005 and She won the first prize as jazz vocalist in 26'Asakusa Jazz contest on March 10, 2007 in Japan. In New York City, Erika has performed at numerous jazz clubs and venues as a soloist. Her several sold out show at Sweet Rhythm last year led to the management inviting her back to perform this fall. She is a regular choir member and featured soloist at the Grace Church in Harlem where she can be heard every Sunday. She had the first recording in June 2006 that combines jazz, Latin music and her originals in her native language Japanese as well as English and Portuguese. Erika's first CD was recorded in NYC with Jeb Patton on piano, David Wong on bass, Pete VanNostrand on drums, Masami Ishikawa on guitar and Aki Kasuga on flute.. She also sung a jingle "So-Ken-Bi-cha" as famous green tea for Coca Cola company in Japan.Now You can watch this commercial on TV all over in Japan.(March 2007) You can find her article in Swing journal and Jazz Life as famous jazz magazine in Japan.(May 2007).She was appeared at Famous Jazz festival called "Ueno Jazz IN" in Tokyo(Summer 2007). She performed 20 places within two weeks with great pianist Jeb Patton(Jimmy Hearth's pianist) Summer 2007 in Japan. Now She is recording her latest CD at Bennett Studio in NJ with excellent musicians such as Romero Lubambo(guitar),Paulo Levi(sax), Yosvany Terry(sax), Carlton Holmes(piano),Freddie Bryant(guitar),Essiet Essiet(bass) and Willard Dyson(drums)and excellent Percussionist and vocalist Nanny Assis. Her latest CD will be released in March 2009.