Tokyo's North Topia Sakura Hall will host Jazz in Hokutopia Vol.4 this September, continuing the festival's tradition of connecting jazz artists from around the world with local talent.

The festival spans two nights with distinct lineups. On September 25, drummer Shun Ishiwaka leads the charge with his group Answer to Remember, who will pay tribute to jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The night also features the Yuya Wakai Trio and the Martty Holoubek Trio Two, each showcasing different configurations of Tokyo's active jazz scene.

September 26 brings Brazilian guitarist-vocalist Toninho Horta to the stage, performing both as a solo artist and alongside Japanese musicians in the Japan Jazz Collective and Japan Brazil Collective formations.

Ishiwaka, who plays in multiple Tokyo-based groups including SMTK and CRCK/LCKS, serves as a connecting thread across both nights, anchoring several ensembles on drums. His versatility reflects the festival's collaborative spirit, bringing together musicians who regularly cross paths in the city's jazz community.

Answer to Remember's tribute set carries special significance this year, marking the centennial of Davis's birth. The group will explore the enduring influence of two jazz titans whose innovations continue to shape the music today.

Holoubek, a bassist with SMTK, and pianist Wakai round out the festival's core performers, demonstrating the depth of talent available within Tokyo's jazz circles. The addition of Horta, a respected figure in world jazz, provides international perspective and cross-cultural exchange.

Tickets are available through multiple channels: Ticket Pia, Eplus, Hokutopia's online ticket platform, and the venue's first-floor box office. The festival continues to position itself as a key gathering point for jazz musicians and fans in Japan, blending established names with emerging voices in the genre.