The creative collaboration between Japanese and Filipino musicians will be highlighted for three days at the Tokyo-Manila Jazz and Arts Festival, set to open on Nov. 6 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati.

The event, now on its fourth year, debuted in 2012 in Tokyo—spearheaded by Japan-based Filipino singer Charito, who is also one of the featured performers.

She is known for having worked with the likes of French maestro Michel Legrand, Brazilian pianist-composer Ivan Lins and American drummer Harvey Mason.

Another Filipino singer, the United States-based Mon David, is returning to perform in the festival after having been in the first edition.

In 2006 David won the grand prize in the London International Jazz Competition, besting 106 vocalists from 27 countries.

Also in the roster of artists in the festival are pianist Yuki Arimasa, saxophonist Tetsuro Kawashima, bassist Kengo Nakamura and drummer Andrew Dickeson.

Dickeson, a native of Australia, has played with Charito in a recent jazz fest in Sydney.

Arimasa and Nakamura, both graduates of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, are highly regarded musicians in Japan.

Nakamura has played with jazz greats Wynton Marsalis and Sadao Watanabe.

Another Japanese, Kawashima, has been acknowledged as one of the best sax players in his country.

“I’ve always loved the idea of collaboration with musicians from different parts of the globe and learning from them,” David told Inquirer. “Japanese musicians are some of the finest in the world. One thing I admire is their sense of discipline… And I also learn from the young musicians in the workshops.”

Among the young batch of Filipino musicians in the festival are the vocal trio Baihana, singers Tricia Garcia and Isabella Gonzales, blues band Brat Pack, the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band (PYSB), and David’s children, Carlo and Nicole.

ETS Septet, a band specially formed for the festival, has keyboardist Elhmir Saison, bassist Colby de la Calzada, saxophonist Michael Guevarra and drummer Mar Dizon among its members.

The festival schedule is as follows:
Nov. 6: Main Festival, Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati, featuring Charito, David, Arimasa, Kawashima, Nakamura, Dickeson, Baihana, Gonzales, ETS Septet, PYSB, Carlo and Nicole David. Hosted by Cris Villonco. Show starts 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7: Latin Sounds, Aruga by Rockwell, Makati, featuring Charito, David, Arimasa, Kawashima, Nakamura and Dickeson. Heavy cocktails at 7 p.m., show starts 8 p.m.

Nov. 8: Workshop for Young Musicians, National Museum, Manila, with Charito, Arimasa, Kawashima, Nakamura and Dickeson. Session starts 10:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. To qualify, contact Bombie at 0917-540-0528.

Nov. 8, free concert: Young Artists Jam, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Malls, Makati, with Charito, David, Arimasa, Kawashima, Nakamura, Dickeson, The Brat Pack, Aisaku Yokogawa, Garcia, The Verve Band, Carlo and Nicole David. Hosted by Gonzales. Show starts 7:30 p.m.

For more details, contact 0906-214-0245; visit manila.tmjaf.com