The 2017 edition of the Malta Jazz Festival will be taking place this July. The three day event features international performers and virtuosos in a unique setting. On-stage collaborations, instrumental masterclasses and workshops are some of the attractions to expect. For three days, visitors will be treated to the sounds of exceptional world-renowned musicians, with free events for all in the city centre on the first day.
This year’s edition is striving to make jazz as accessible as possible. Besides boasting a star-studded line-up featuring the best in contemporary jazz, the Malta Jazz Festival is branching out to Valletta’s streets and injecting creative energy in Malta’s growing jazz scene, in preparation for Valletta 2018.
The festival, like previous years, will include some of the most renowned jazz artists, both from the international scene and locally. It supports the local scene and encourages collaborations between Maltese and international artists. In fact, all three local acts feature international musicians.
Apart from the evening jazz concerts, the Malta Jazz Festival will also be hosting a series of free Valletta Midday Jazz Concerts from the 17th to the 22nd July. These concerts will be held in front of the Parliament building at the entrance of the city at 12:30pm and will feature both established locals and upcoming musicians. These events are part of the Jazz on the Fringe activities and are being organised in collaboration with Valletta 2018.
The Malta Jazz Festival is organized by Festivals Malta within Arts Council Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government and Valletta 2018 Foundation.
PROGRAMME:
EVENING CONCERTS
Thursday 20th July (free event supported by Valletta2018)
City Gate Entrance, Valletta at 8pm
Romain Pilon feat. Walter Smith III
Pjazzu Teatru Rjal, Valletta
Nadine Axisa feat. Rino Cirinnà and Stjepko Gut
In front of Law Courts, Valletta
Munir Hossn ‘Made in Nordeste’
Friday 21st July
Ta’ Liesse, Valletta at 8pm
Joe Debono Trio
Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet
Nicholas Payton ‘Afro Caribbean Mixtape’
Saturday 22nd July
Ta’ Liesse, Valletta at 8pm
Carlo Muscat feat. Burak Bedikyan
Antonio Sanchez and ‘Migration’
Al di Meola ‘World Sinfonia’ – “Music of Di Meola, Piazzolla & Lennon-McCartney“
VALLETTA MIDDAY JAZZ CONCERTS
Monday 17 July
Walter Vella group
Walter Vella (sax/flute), Godwin Lucas (keyboards), Anthony Saliba (bass), Joe ‘Bibi’ Camilleri (drums)
Tuesday 18 July
Charles ‘City’ Gatt Quintet feat. Stjepko Gut
Stjepko Gut (trumpet), Rino Cirinnà (sax), Dominic Galea (piano), Yoni Zelnik (bass), Charles Gatt (drums)
Wednesday 19 July
Latina Melita
Alex Taylor (trumpet), Karl Galea (guitar), Diccon Cooper (bass), Manuel Pulis (drums)
Thursday 20 July
Glenville Group
Glen Montanaro (guitar), Dean Montanaro (bass), Joseph Camilleri (drums)
Friday 21 July
Marvin Gaerty Trio
Marvin Gaerty (guitar), Paul Giordimaina (piano), Charles Gatt (drums)
Saturday 22 July
The Johann Strauss School of Music Jazz Combo
Christian Debono (vocals), Fabio Imbroll (guitar), Philip Borg Barthet (trombone), Samwel Grima (bass), Rafel Grima (drums)
Tickets for the 21st and the 22nd July shows can be bought here. For more information visit the Malta Jazz Festival website.