It’s back! Jazz up your weekend at the 29th edition of the Malta Jazz Festival in Valletta
There’s a splendid line up in store across multiple venues.
The Malta Jazz Festival is back for another year and it's already in full swing! This year’s edition, organised by Festivals Malta, guarantees a jazz-infused week of buzzing entertainment for all to enjoy.
The snazzy launch
The festival was launched with the opening of a photographic exhibition titled ‘Moments in Jazz’ by award-winning photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi. The exhibition features a number of Malta Jazz Festival iconic photos by the festival’s resident photographer, who has been capturing the essence of the festival since its launch back in 1991. This superb exhibition is set up in the lobby of the Hotel Phoenicia and is open to the public until Saturday 20 July.
The exhibition opening was followed by the festival’s official launch event – an energetic performance by the Stjepko Gut Quartet. “Monday’s turnout, vibe and enthusiasm were highly encouraging, proving that the festival is seducing a larger audience,” says Sandro Zerafa, the festival’s Artistic Director.
What's on this week
The festival has become a much-awaited annual summer event on our islands, attracting jazz lovers and festival goers. “The Malta Jazz Festival will gradually reach a climax on Friday and Saturday at the historic venue at Ta’ Liesse, with a star-studded and eclectic line-up. I particularly look forward to welcoming Kenny Garrett to Malta for the first time,” continued Mr Zerafa.
Apart from Garrett, the acts at Ta’ Liesse will include luminaries from the international jazz scene including vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, the quartet Ozmosys led by legendary jazz drummer Omar Hakim, and Chucho Valdés – the Cuban jazz legend. The venue will also feature some of Malta’s foremost jazz musicians, including the William Smith Trio and jazz veteran Dominic Galea. What a treat!
“The events at Ta’ Liesse, the festival’s flagship venue, will bring to an end a week that will see various local and international acts performing at different venues across Valletta, Mdina and Vittoriosa,” says Festivals Malta director Annabelle Stivala. “It is a week that will also feature daily lunchtime gigs outside Parliament to keep passers-by entertained, and a series of free masterclasses at Offbeat. In short, we are promising a jazz-infused week to tantalise and tickle music aficionados’ taste buds and give them a very enjoyable time.”
Seated tickets for Friday’s performances at the Malta Jazz Festival at Ta’ Liesse are sold out. There are some 2-day seated tickets and some seated tickets on Saturday left; while standing tickets are readily available for both nights. For more information, visit their website.