When the New Orleans-style jazz group the Swing Dolphins hits town from its native Japan this weekend, it will be the latest chapter in an inspiring story of international friendship and the unifying power of music. The story goes back to Katrina days, when Japanese musician Yoshio Toyama—a Satchmo-inspired trumpeter and longtime local music aficionado—spearheaded efforts in Japan to raise money for musicians’ relief. When the tsunami hit Japan in spring of 2011, the Tipitina’s Foundation returned the favor and donated money from that year’s Instruments A-Comin’ benefit to Japanese jazz bands, the Swing Dolphins among them.

The Swing Dolphins play Satchmo Summer Fest (8/3) and Tipitina's (8/4) this weekend.

The story didn’t end there, as Yoshio and his wife Keiko Toyama worked to set up the New Orleans-Miyagi Youth Jazz Exchange, to realize their dream on bringing local and Japanese musicians together to jam. The dream was realized in October 2012, as eight Tipitina’s interns and eight O. Perry Walker students went to Japan and performed. The next step happens this weekend as all 19 members of the Swing Dolphins will come to New Orleans under the program’s auspices. In addition to performing at Tip’s, they’ll participate in exchange workshops with Martin Behrman Charter School, Tipitina’s interns and O. Perry Walker students, and peer musicians in Lafayette.

WWL-TV featured a story on the exchange earlier this week. But you can see the band live this weekend as they headline a student music showcase on Sunday, August 4 at Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave); the show starts at 3:30pm and the Swing Dolphins play at 5:15. They also play the Cornet Chop Suey stage at Satchmo Summerfest, Saturday at 12:15pm. In addition, Yoshio Toyama plays with his Dixie Saints at the Red Beans & Ricely Yours stage, Saturday at 5pm.