A joyous convergence of talent at this year’s Malta Jazz Festival

“The jazz festival is not just a social event where people gather to drink beer – it is a wonderful opportunity to discover new artists who are creating new exciting music,” Sandro Zerafa, artistic director for the festival, said. “I always try to find the perfect balance between artists who are big crowd-pullers and others who are more challenging to the ear. It is also my role to expose the Maltese audiences to what’s happening on the jazz scene today.”

The first night will feature three acts, starting with a collaboration between local singer Francesca Galea – an interpreter of Brazilian music – and Paris-based pianist Leonardo Montana. They will be followed by The Bad Plus, an eclectic trio from the American Midwest, known for their quirky renditions of Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and David Bowie songs.

Three-time Grammy award nominee Mike Stern – a regular at the Malta Jazz Festival –  will close the first day of the festival. He will be joined by Randy Brecker featuring David Weckl and Chris Minh Doky.

Joshua Redman will open on the following day, complete with an unorthodox lineup which features two of the greatest living drummers (Bill Stewart and Greg Hutchinson) as well as two bassplayers. The night will be capped off with up-and-coming American singer Esperanza Spalding, whom Zerafa calls “a big crowd-puller. She grooves and she’s a brilliant vocalist and I think her show will be one of the highlights of the festival.”

The closing night will start off with an appropriate nod to tradition, as Charles ‘City’ Gatt, founder of the the Malta Jazz Festival, will lead an international quartet boasting the great saxophone player Amy Gamlen, local pianist Joe Debono and bassplayer Matteo Bortone.
This ensemble will be followed by Ari Hoenig, one of New York’s hottest drummers, who will be joined by his trio featuring Gilad Hekselman and Orlando le Fleming.

The final performance will be in the hands of Richard Bona, presenting a unique brand of fusion. The festival will close with the Cameroon-born Richard Bona, a child prodigy who will present his own brand of fusion. He will play electric bass and sing. “He has an incredible charisma and I am sure that his show will be a great finale to the Malta,” Zerafa said.

Tickets starting from €15 are available from maltaticket.com. More information on http://maltajazzfestival.org/ and http://maltajazzfestival.wordpress.com/.

Berthing spaces are being offered to private boats that wish to berth during the Malta Jazz Festival. Offers will be accepted on a first come first serve basis because the area available is very limited.  Only sea vessels that are authorised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts will be allowed to berth during the festival between 19:30 and midnight on each night of the festival.
Applications may be received addressed to Sarah-Lee Zammit, Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street, Valletta together with a €75 donation. Further information may be obtained from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts Tel 21245168 or 21247913 or email [email protected] and [email protected].