Limited time only: Unit Asia, a jazz group from Japan, will perform for the first time in Viet Nam. (Photo: VNS)Unit Asia, a jazz group from Japan will have their first concert in Viet Nam on February 3 and 5 in Ha Noi and HCM City, respectively.

The group has been performing both in and outside Japan to create new type of music by exchanging ideas with local musicians in each country.

Unit Asia consists of five outstanding musicians with rich individuality. They are prominent Japanese musicians experienced in jazz, fusion and pop: Isao Miyoshi (guitar), Hiroyuki Noritake (drums) and Shigeki Ippon (bass). A well-known Thai saxophone player, Koh Saxman, and a promising pianist from Malaysia, Tay Cher Siang, complete the group.

With their goal to gather prominent musicians to create a new type of jazz music in Asia, Unit Asia was formed after a Southeast Asia tour through Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Thailand. It was first organised by the Japan Foundation and lasted for one month in 2008.

Since then, their music has evolved and the mutual understanding and friendships between the musicians have deepened. They display a rich creativity and receive the highest praise from music critics and the media, not to mention the audiences at each performance.

"Time flies and it's now more than three years since Unit Asia performed its first Southeast Asian Tour in 2008," said Isao Miyoshi, guitarist of the group.

"Unit Asia was originally a ‘limited time only' ensemble that was formed for this month-long tour. But because the sound evolved with each successive performance, and a close bond developed between the members despite their cultural and linguistic differences, we decided to continue making music together after the tour," he said.

"We are excited at the prospect of performing for the very first time in Viet Nam. Our plan is to present a new Unit Asia to audiences who've been to our previous concerts. We want to show how we've advanced further ahead along the evolutionary scale, and give a refreshing new excitement to those who'll be hearing us for the very first time."

Tung Duong, one of the most talented Vietnamese vocalists, will contribute his strong and emotional voice to the group during their stay.

The Japan Foundation in Viet Nam, in co-operation with the Consulate General of Japan in HCM City, share the delight of hosting the concert.

The concert will be organised on February 3 at Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Street, Ha Noi, and February 5 at the Ben Thanh Theatre, 6 Mac Dinh Chi Street, HCM City.

Free tickets can be collected starting on Monday. Information is available at www.jpf.org.vn.

Source: VNS