Malta Jazz Festival 2017 promises to be an unforgettable event

The Malta Jazz Festival 2017 promises to be an unforgettable event with the participation of renowned jazz artists such Al di Meola, Antonio Sanchez and Mark Guiliana.

Di Meola, who last performed in Malta in 2012 and will close off this year’s festival, was discovered by renowned jazz artist Chick Corea when he was 19 years old. This year at Ta’ Liesse, apart from his music, he will also perform music from The Beatles and Piazzolla.

The programme of the 27th edition of the Malta Jazz Festival was launched by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, Festivals Director Annabelle Stivala Attard, Jazz Festival Artistic Director Sandro Zerafa and the Chair of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, Jason Micallef.

“The allocation for culture has grown 14% in the last budget for a total of €60 million across all Government,” Bonnici said. “We did this also because we want culture, art, music, theatre, cinema and all that is art and culture to be accessible to everybody everywhere,” the Minister said.

Annabelle Stivala Attard said that the Malta Jazz Festival was the only event of its calibre that promotes and celebrates jazz locally.

“The three-day event features international performers and virtuosos in a unique setting. On-stage collaborations, instrumental master classes 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.”

Sandro Zerafa added: “The Malta Jazz Festival is reaching out. It is spreading its wings beyond Ta’ Liesse. 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 strives in its mission to promote this great art form in all its diversity and to stimulate the local scene through various outreach initiatives – street jam sessions, collaborations with international musicians, masterclasses and free concerts.”

The Programme

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"

Ticket Prices

€30 for a single day ticket – seated (VIP)

€50 for a 2-day block ticket – seated (VIP)

€20 for single day ticket – standing (free seating will be available)

€35 for a 2-day block ticket – standing (free seating will be available)

Early bird tickets available from 31 March

€25 instead of €30 for a single day ticket – seated (VIP)

€40 instead of €50 for a 2-day block ticket – seated (VIP)

€30 instead of €35 for a 2-day block ticket – standing (free seating will be available)