With the 2019 Malta Jazz Festival launching tonight, the island is going to be packed with the best local and international artists.
Here’s some of the foreign artists from the world of jazz who are visiting Malta this week to headline at the Malta Jazz Festival – many of whom are currently headline some of the biggest jazz festivals across the globe. In our opinion, they’re pretty wow, and we can’t wait to sit al fresco and let the jazz wash over us!
Bertil Strandberg
Besides playing trombone around the world as part of multiple Big Band and jazz orchestras, Bertil Strandberg has revolutionised the jazz scene in his home city of Stockholm as a jazz/studio musician. Bertil also has a degree in Psychology from the University of Umeå, which he uses to influence his jazz improvisations.
Bertil Strandberg will be giving a free masterclass at Offbeat, Valletta on Friday 19th July at 5.30pm, and performing at a midday concert on 15 July in Freedom Square, Valletta
Jochen Rueckert Quartet
The Jochen Rueckert Quartet, which features Jochen Rueckert on drums alongside Mike Moreno, Chris Cheek and Matt Penman, was formed in 2011 by Rueckert, a German jazz drummer. He is a naturalised American citizen living in New York since 1997, where he has worked or recorded with countless renowned jazz artists from John Abercrombie to Madeleine Peyroux.
Jochen Rueckert will be performing on 18 July at 7.30pm in Merchant Street, Valletta, and will be giving a free masterclass at Offbeat, Valletta on 17 July at 5.30pm.
Fred Pasqua
French drummer Fred Pasqua is world-renowned for his unique free jazz improvisations. He initially performed within the electric music and rock fusion musical genres, before forming an interest in acoustic jazz. He recently released his new album ‘Moon River’, in collaboration with Nelson Veras, Yoann Loustalot, Yoni Zelnik, Laurent Coq, Adrien Sanchez and Robin Nicaise and Jean Luc Di Fraya.
Fred Pasqua will be performing on 15 July at 7pm at Notre Dame Gate, Vittoriosa, on 16 July at 8.30pm at Palazzo Vilhena, Mdina, and will also be giving a free masterclass at Offbeat, Valletta on 18 July at 5.30pm.
Nelson Veras
Unlike most jazz guitar players, Brazilian jazz guitarist Nelson Veras does not use a pick when playing. His unusual technique has inspired a career working alongside other notable musicians such as Lee Konitz, Aldo Romano, Dominique di Piazza, Michel Graillier, Malik Mezzadri and Jean-Louis Matinier, and led to the release of his album in 2004.
Nelson Veras will be performing alongside Fred Pasqua on 15 July at Notre Dame Gate, Vittoriosa at 7pm, 16 July at Palazzo Vilhena, Mdina at 8.30pm, and will also be giving a free guitar masterclass on 16 July at Offbeat, Valletta at 5.30pm.
Stjepko Gut
Stjepko Gut is a Belgrade-based jazz musician and is one of the most famous jazz brass players from Serbia. He has made multiple international tours, performances and recordings alongside other jazz greats including Clark Terry, Horace Parlan and Duško Gojković, as well as being a long-time member of the Lionel Hampton All Stars.
Stjepko Gut will be performing on 15 July at 9pm at Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, 16 July at 12.30pm on Freedom Square, Valletta, and will be giving a free trombone masterclass on 20 July at Offbeat, Valletta at 11am.
Joel Hierrezuelo
Cuban singer, percussionist and guitarist Joel Hierrezuelo has developed a unique musical style inspired by his Afro-Cuban influences. He has collaborated with artists such as Alfredo Rodriguez and Los Acerekó, Roberto Fonseca, Africando, Munir Hossn and Anga Dias, and in 2018 he released his new album, ‘Zapateo Suite’.
Joel Hierrezuelo will be performing on 18 July at 8.45pm, at Great Siege Square, Valletta in front of Law Courts.
Chucho Valdés
Chucho Valdés is a Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger whose career has already spanned more than 50 years and seen him win six Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. In 1972 he recorded ‘Jazz Batá’, a trio album of piano, bass, and bata (a drum of Yoruba origin), and in 1973 he founded the iconic group Irakere, one of Cuba’s best-known Latin jazz bands.
Chucho Valdés will be performing on 19 July at 8.30pm, at Ta’ Liesse, Valletta.
Rino Cirinnà
US-born Rino Cirinnà comes from a family of musicians and studied clarinet in Italy’s finest conservatories. He has collaborated with many notable jazz Italian and American jazz musicians such as Gianni Basso, Gabriele Comeglio, the Amato Jazz Trio, the Mediterranean Jazz Orchestra with Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider and Massimo Lopez.
Rino Cirinnà will be performing alongside the Stjepko Gut Quintet on 15 July at 9pm, at Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, and with Joe Debono on 20 July at 12.30pm on Freedom Square, Valletta.
Jazzmeia Horn
Grammy-nominated Jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn hails from Texas and has won both the 2015 Thelonius Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition and 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Jazzmeia has performed alongside musicians such as Billy Harper, Vincent Gardner and Johnny O’Neal, and has also appeared in many world-famous jazz festivals and legendary jazz clubs.
Jazzmeia Horn will be performing on 20 July at 8.30pm, at Ta’ Liesse, Valletta.
Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award-winning American post-bop jazz saxophonist and flautist, who began his career performing as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. His solo career since has included collaborations with many jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones and Mulgrew Miller.
Kenny Garrett will be performing on 20 July at 8.30pm, at Ta’ Liesse, Valletta.
For more information, visit the website.