MIYOSHI Isao (guitar) Japan

Isao Miyoshi was born in Oita, 1960. He started out on the guitar while in high school, and developed an interest in jazz after entering college. In 1983, he made his debut with his own band “Sankichi Trio”, and performed with various groups of predominant musicians such as Takehiro Honda (p), Paul Jackson (b), Kazutoki Umezu (as), Tetsuo Sakurai (b).

In 1992, he formed his own guitar trio “Sankichi-Ponta UNIT” with Shuichi “PONTA” Murakami (drs) and Benisuke Sakai (b) to aim for further free style of guitar trio. They have performed in lots of live performances; his 1st album titled “SANKICHIZM” recorded with that trio and released in 1995 was won the highest praise as an outstanding work that breaks the jazz guitar trio’s concept. In 1996, he released his 2nd album titled “Pineapple Island” recorded with his sworn friend, Satoru Shionoya (pf), Tomohiro Yahiro (perc) and etc. In his 3rd album titled “Your Smile” released in 1998, he recorded with Toots Thielemans, a No.1 harmonica player of the world.

Alongside his guitar trio, he also formed a unit “SURPRISE” with Kiyohiko Semba (perc), Akira Onozuka (kb), Vagabond Suzuki (b) and Tomoo Tsuruya (drs) in 2000, released their album titled “SURPRISE” in 2003, in 2006, he released an acoustic duo album titled “First Touch” with Onozuka of that unit.

Miyoshi has performed not only in Japan but has toured abroad extensively as well; In 2000, he participated in the “JAZZ GUITAR SUMMIT Concert” was held at Kennedy Center in Wasington D.C., US, in 2001, performed in Germany and France with his unit, and performed for various projects in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Korea and so on, he had a success.

His career has been enlarging into pop field since 1999, particularly in the concert tours of Eikichi Yazawa (vo) and also Ryoko Moriyama (vo), he obtains a great reliance as a leading figure in music. He also has participated in live performances and concerts of several musicians such as Hiroko Kokubu (p) and Masato Honda (sax), he has displayed his ability in diverse genre.

Miyoshi Isao is respected highly as one of leading jazz guitarist of Japanese jazz scene who has prominent skills and rich music capacity.

Koh Mr. Saxman (saxophone) Thailand

Koh (name at birth: Sekpol Unsamran) was born in 1973. His first instrument was the “Khlui” (Thai Flute), taught by his father, Rherm Unsamran. Koh had gone on to experimenting with many instruments during his childhood until he was deeply fascinated by the saxophone while studying in high school. With his natural talents, combining with guidance from his music instructors, Koh became a professional musician since he was only 15 years old, While studying at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Education, Koh was invited to join contemporary Thai band, “Boy Thai” as a founding member. The success of “Boy Thai” led him to join many other leading bands, and gradually made him one of the most -sought after studio musicians, and also was invited to back up many big name artists. In 2002 Koh had the opportunity to release his first solo album “Mr. Saxman”.

The title of this album is derived from his versatility in a number of musical styles from jazz, pop, fusion, ska, latin, reggae, contemporary Thai and even country Thai music. This album also revealed another hidden talent of Koh as a singer. One of the tracks “Pavana”(My Prayer) had topped several music charts and retained its popularity until today. The success of “Mr. Saxman” established Koh as Thailand’s newest sensation on the saxophone, which earned him several invitations of perform overseas. He had performed before enthusiastic audiences in Japan, China, Italy, England, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Koh also devoted his time to educate a new generation of saxophonists. His “Sax Society” is a music school and also a meeting point for jazz devotees to exchange everything about sax and jazz.

IPPON Shigeki (bass) Japan

Shigeki Ippon was born in Yamanashi, 1971. He learned contrabass under Yoshio Nagashima in the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, In 2000, he launched his performance career as professional musician at the same time of graduating from that college. Since then, he has performed in many live performances, concerts of various artists such as Kiyohiko Semba (perc), Isao Miyoshi (gt), GONTITI, Hajime Mizoguchi (vc), Taro Hakase (vn), Ayaka Hirahara (vo) and has participated in numerous recording sessions for J-Pop artists, CM, TV, and soundtracks as well as has performed in several stages as musician, he has been extending his range of activity in various genres.

Both contrabass and electric bass with supple musical capacity from western classical music through jazz and pop and prominent rendering ability, Shigeki Ippon is a remarkable artist for the coming generation.

Tay Cher Siang (piano) Malaysia

He started his piano lessons just like most people, learning classical music. He took up an interest in Jazz during his teenage years and began to pursue his musical journey as a jazz pianist.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from West Virginia University and continued to get his Masters Degree in Jazz Pedagogy, studying under Dr. Miltenberger and Professor Scea.

His achievements include winning the WVU Young Artist Competition in 2004, recipient of the HERF Top-Off Award and the Valerie Canady Award. He was the Graduate Assistant for the Jazz Department in WVU where he got the chance to direct the college’s Jazz Big Band and various Small Group Ensembles.

Throughout the years, Mr. Tay performed regularly as a soloist, as well as with ensembles such as the WVU Big Band, the Mon River Big Band, the Jenny Menna Trio, the Washington Street Jazz Band, and the WVU Wind Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Tay was awarded Young Artist Competition Winner and performed with WVU Symphony Orchestra performing Gershwin Piano Concerto in F. He also gave concerts as classical and jazz pianist, with various groups. Other than performing, Mr. Tay composes, and arranges for big band and small groups.

Mr. Tay is currently teaching at UCSI and The Talent Makers in Kuala Lumpur. Since his return to Malaysia, he has been active in the Kuala Lumpur jazz scene. He has performed with Greg Lyons group, The Boplicity, Gruvavenue, Eye-2-Eye Jazz Mix, Rizal Soliano Band, Urban Tribes, Wave Alchemist, Louis Soliano Quartet and also backing up vocalists such as Khadijah Ibrahim, Junji Delfino , Ida Mariana, Gina Panizales, and Michelle Nunis. He has performed in the Malacca Straits Jazz Festival in Riau, June 2007, and Penang Jazz Festival in Penang, November 2007, and Mosaic Music Festival in Singapore, March 2008.