A Jazz Night with Unit Asia

Koh Mr. Saxman, RAd and Noel Cabangon

Featuring:

Unit Asia

     Isao “Sankichi” Miyoshi, guitar

     Koh Mr. Saxman, saxophone

     Tay Cher Siang, piano

     Shigeki Ippon, bass

     Tomo’o Tsuruya, drums

The Music Museum was indeed the night for jazz music as the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, Manila, Radio High 105.9 and Yoshinoya presented the Asian jazz group, Unit Asia along with special guest Noel Cabangon in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month and the 40^th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Things looked promising for this concert earlier on for about an hour before the show started, for there were quite a number of people on the waiting list already. The concert was free admission but one had to make prior reservations to avail of tickets. And based on how well events during the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month have been received in previous years, one really had to contact the Japan Foundation as early as possible to secure these tickets.

For those who were fortunate to get in weren’t disappointed as Unit Asia, made up of Isao “Sankichi” Miyoshi (guitar), Koh Mr. Saxman (saxophone), Tay Cher Siang (piano), Shigeki Ippon (bass) and Tomo’o Tsuruya (drums) put on a show that people would pay good money for to watch. Just right after the second song, New Blues, that had each member performing solos and doing some wicked improvisation, the audience was already at the palm of group’s hands. Despite accents that were difficult for Filipino ears to understand, Miyoshi and Mr. Saxman were able to pump up the crowd as the group’s frontmen. The concert also provided a change of pace when the group played a couple of pianist Tay Cher Siang’s compositions namely Elephant Vanishes and The Sea Outside My Window. The group’s special guest for the night was Filipino singer Noel Cabangon. Known for his rock, folk and socially relevant songs, Noel also showed that he had some jazz in him as well. With an acoustic guitar in tow, Noel performed Bulag, Pipi at Bingi, Tinamaan Mo and Children of Tomorrow while being backed up by Unit Asia. Noel Cabangon also went back on stage to join the band for two encores which was Pumapatak ang Ulan and Tomorrow Love Song by Miyoshi.

Japan Foundation, Manila Director Shuji Takatori
and Noel Cabangon

Aside from the amazing music, the lighting design was also one of the impressive things about this concert. The musical highlights, modulations and player solos were emphasized, given more weight and excitement through the impeccably timed light spectacle. So this concert turned out not only as a musical treat but also as a visual treat for everyone inside the Music Museum.

I missed Unit Asia’s performance last year so I was only too happy that they came back and that I was able to catch them this time. Since their latest performance here was such a huge hit, I wouldn’t be surprised if they come back again very soon.