The best homegrown talents will share the stage with artists from other places in the world to pay tribute to Latin jazz at this year’s Tokyo-Manila Jazz and Arts Festival. Now at its third year, the festival is also a celebration of artistic innovation, and a bridging of cultures and generations, making it one of the premier jazz events in the country.

This year’s tribute to Latin jazz will explore the genre’s African-influenced rhythms, and it will delve into Afro-Cuban jazz and the more popular Afro-Brazilian jazz, which is heard through bossa nova and jazz samba. The three-day celebration will comprise of four events, with the main festival happening on November 6 at the RCBC Plaza Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium. The following night, Latin Sounds will take over at Aruga by Rockwell. On the last day, a workshop for young musicians will be held at the National Museum during the day, and a free concert featuring both young and established jazz artists will commence at night.

Headlining the performances in the festival are Charito, who has established a colourful jazz career in Japan, and award-winning U.S. based Filipino American jazz vocalist Mon David who will collaborate with Manila’s own ETS Septet led by Elhmir Saison. Joining the festival from Japan are leading jazz artists, namely: saxophonist Tetsuro Kawashima, pianist Yuki Arimasa, bassist Kengo Nakamura, and Australian drummer Andrew Dickeson.

Charito on vocals

The festival is also the venue in which young artists who are continuing the legacy of their kin will showcase their artistry. Baihana, composed of Anna Graham, Mel Torre, and Krina Cayabyab, daughter of Ryan Cayabyab, will take the stage during the opening event. Cris Villonco, granddaughter of Armida Siguion Reyna, will host the main festival event and and sing with the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band. Isabela Gonzales, daughter of Kuh Ledesma, will also perform on the main festival event and host the free concert of November 8. The young blues band The Brat Pack, which includes bassist David de Koenigswarter, grandson of Nica Rothschild de Koenigswarter, will show off their rock ‘n roll, soul, and funk style during the free concert.

See the full list of performers below:

November 6, 7:30 PM at the RCBC Plaza Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

Charito, Yuki Arimasa, Tetsuro Kawashima, Kengo Nakamura, Andrew Dickeson, Baihana, Isabella Gonzalez, ETS Septet, Philippine Youth Symphonic Band, Carlo and Nicole David

November 7, 7PM at Aruga at Rockwell

Charito, Mon David, Yuki Arimasa, Tetsuro Kawashima, Kengo Nakamura, Andrew Dickeson

November 8, 10:30AM at National Museum

Charito, Yuki Arimasa, Tetsuro Kawashima, Kengo Nakamura, Andrew Dickeson

November 8, 7:30 PM at Ayala Greenbelt 5

Charito, Mon David, Yuki Arimasa, Tetsuro Kawashima, Kengo Nakamura, Andrew Dickeson, The Brat Pack, Aisaku Yokogawa, Tricia Garcia, Verve band, Carlo and Nicole David

Visit the Tokyo-Manila Jazz and Arts Festival website for more information.