EXPERIENCE JAZZ AT ONE OF MALTA’S MOST BREATHTAKING VENUES

THE MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL IS RENOWNED FOR ITS PICTURESQUE VENUE AND STELLAR LINE-UPS, WHICH INCLUDED LEGENDARY MUSICIANS SUCH AS CHICK COREA, HERBIE HANCOCK, AND BETTY CARTER. THE FESTIVAL HAS FOR SURE BECOME A STAPLE IN THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SCENE!

The festival kicks off on the 10th of July at the Embassy Hotel in the heart of Malta’s historic capital city, Valletta, with an opening concert featuring Daniel Sant, William Smith, and Dean Montanaro. Throughout the week, evening concerts will be held at the Valletta City Theatre, featuring The New York Blue Quintet. Led by Joe Magnarelli and Jeb Patton, this group is known for its mastery of the hard bop tradition.

What makes this jazz festival so special? It is a truly extraordinary event set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Grand Harbour. Besides, this festival is a true gem for the jazz scene, renowned for its exceptional blend of artistic brilliance and widespread appeal. In a world where jazz festivals sometimes lose their jazz essence, the Malta Jazz Festival stands tall, maintaining a programme within jazz tradition, while also captivating new audiences.

With great honour, one of this year's headlining artists is 23-year-old Grammy Award winner Samara Joy, who has won accolades both as Best New Artist and for Best Vocal Jazz Album. Her performance is surely highly anticipated, and she will be performing at Ta' Liesse on the 14th of July. Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, another emerging talent, will also take the stage that night.

The festival will also feature renowned trumpet player Raynald Colom, Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet, and the Laurent Coq Trio. Additionally, the charismatic Kurt Elling, a leading male jazz vocalist, will be returning to the Malta Jazz Festival. Elling, along with guitarist Charlie Hunter and their band, will present their funk and soul project SUPERBLUE. Local jazz veteran Paul Giordimaina and his trio SFERA will pay homage to the late Charles 'City' Gatt, while Ukraine-based Maltese saxophonist Carlo Muscat and his quartet will perform music from Carlo's album, Wool.

A beloved tradition of the festival are the jam sessions, held at the local jazz bar Offbeat. These free sessions contribute to building an accessible jazz community. The festival offers free masterclasses conducted by professional jazz musicians, providing enthusiasts and aspiring musicians with valuable insights into jazz styles and techniques with masterclasses conducted by Immanuel Wilkins, Laurent Coq, Francesco Ciniglio, and members of the New York Blue Note Collective.

The Malta Jazz Festival will take place in Valletta, Malta, from the 10th to the 15th of July. For more information, visit www.festivals.mt/mjf.

10-15 JULY 2023

Samara Joy

Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet

SUPERBLUE: Kurt Elling

FT. CHARLIE HUNTER

Immanuel Wilkins Quartet

THE NEW YORK BLUE NOTE QUINTET

LAURENT COQ TRIO

RAYNALD COLOM QUINTET

Paul Giordimaina Trio - SFERA

CARLO MUSCAT KYIV QUARTET

SHRINE: FINDING SOLACE IN THE CHAOS OF LIFE

VENUE:

MUŻA, Merchant's Street, Valletta

DATE: 7th July - 13th August 2023

Alexandra Aquilina is presenting a vibrant and provocative celebration of pop culture and everyday objects which have been infused with a healthy dose of irony and satire in her first solo exhibition at MUŻA, Valletta. Characterised by bold imagery and vibrant colors, her work is created using techniques such as large format screen printing and sculpture. She draws inspiration from history, folklore, and international mass media to deliver a sensory feast that challenges our perceptions of art and the world around us.

Spazju Kreattiv

VENUE:

Spazju Kreattiv, Castille Place, Valletta

ONLINE: www.kreattivita.org | @spazjukreattiv

Nestled in the heart of Malta's capital city, Valletta, Spazju Kreattiv is a cultural hub that celebrates art and creativity through a multidisciplinary programme of events. A core part of this is our cinema strand, comprising a carefully curated selection of the latest critically-acclaimed arthouse films, documentaries, toddler screenings, National Theatre Live, MET Opera Live and Exhibition on Screen.