Asian Youth Jazz Orchestra kicks off with free concert at the Shang

February 22, 2015, 6:00 PM

East Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza

Mandaluyong City

Featuring:
Osamu Matsumoto, composer/arranger/trombone
Mayuko Katakura, composer/arranger/piano
Mariko Maeda, trombone
Yuri Kishimoto, saxophone/flute
Nohara Okamoto, bass
Fumihiro Ibuki, drums

The Japan Foundation Asia Center, Philippine International Jazz Festival Foundation and the Shangri-La Plaza cordially invite the public to the one-night-only concert of the Asian Youth Jazz Orchestra (AYJO) Band on February 22, 2015, 6:00 PM at the East Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.

Six talented musicians from Japan namely composer/arranger/trombone player Osamu Matsumoto, composer/arranger/pianist Mayuko Katakura, trombone player Mariko Maeda, saxophonist/flutist Yuri Kishimoto, bassist Nohara Okamoto, and drummer Fumihiro Ibuki will serenade the crowd in a free concert. More importantly, the jazz concert will serve as AYJO’s introductory event in Manila. Part of the Philippine International Jazz Festival, the concert will also feature Raoul and the Wild Tortillas.

AYJO is a long-term project of the Japan Foundation Asia Center, with planning and production by Planet Arts Co. Its primary aim is to organize a new jazz orchestra consisting of young musicians in Asia whom they would train through international exchange and collaboration. Members will be screened and chosen through auditions in participating countries.

Fumihiro Ibuki, Osamu Matsumoto, Nohara Okamoto, Mayuko Katakura, 

Mariko Maeda, and Yuri Kishimoto

In Manila, auditions will be held on February 21, 2015 at the University of Santo Tomas and on February 23, 2015 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Music students as well as young musicians who responded through the open-call to audition will be given the chance to showcase their talents in playing Latin percussion, trombone, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and flute. Successful applicants will get to join the rehearsal camps in Tokyo and perform throughout Asia from August to December 2015.

Jazz was chosen for its improvisational nature. With inspiration and spontaneity, which come from the musicians’ free thoughts and feelings, jazz creates a world of sounds through balance of interactions. Thus, jazz meets the purpose of creating new sounds through the interaction of young musicians. 

Ticket prices:

Free admission with prior reservation.

For inquiries:

The Japan Foundation, Manila 811-6155 to 58, email@jfmo.org.ph