Malta Jazz Festival Explained

Malta Jazz Festival
Years Active:1990 – present
Dates:mid-July

The Malta Jazz Festival is an annual musical event held every July in Malta, organised by Festivals Malta (previously part of Arts Council Malta and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts). It is held outside Our Lady of Liesse Church, on the Valletta waterfront.

History

The festival was established in 1990[1] by Charles 'City' Gatt[2] and has featured world-renowned jazz musicians such as Wayne Shorter, John Patitucci, Diana Krall, Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Natalie Cole, Betty Carter, Michel Petrucciani, Richard Bona and Mike Stern.

In 2006, the event was controversially removed from the artistic directorship of Gatt, a pioneer of Maltese jazz, and placed in the hands of private promotion company N'n'G, who attempted to style it into a more populist 'Rock and Jazz' festival.[3] Subsequent line-ups almost entirely bereft of contemporary jazz content and mainly featuring a host of passé rock musicians, reformed prog rock acts and tribute bands led the festival into a period of brief decline.

2009 saw the festival return to its roots under the directorship of Maltese musician Sandro Zerafa with a line-up of world-renowned jazz musicians.[4] Among the artists who performed at the 2010 festival were Bill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, Greg Hutchinson, Dave Weckl, Dave King, Mike Stern and Richard Bona.[5] The 2011 festival featured Lionel Loueke, Joao Bosco, Monty Alexander and Avishai Cohen.[6] The 2012 festival took place on July 19, 20 and 21 and included performances by Al Di Meola, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chano Dominguez, Tigran Hamasyan, Dianne Reeves, Jeremy Pelt and Will Vinson.[7]

The 2013 festival was staged on July 18, 19 and 20, featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment, Vijay Iyer Trio, Gregory Porter, Michel Camilo Trio, Gilad Hekselman Quartet, Charles 'City' Gatt Vibraphone Quintet, Gerald Clayton Trio (featuring Logan Richardson), Cusp and Walter Vella Quartet.[8] [9]

Among the acts appearing at the 2014 festival were Warren Wolf, Tom Harrell (featuring Jaleel Shaw, Johnathan Blake, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Escoffery and Ugonna Okegwo), Kneebody, Brecker Brothers Band Reunion (featuring Terry Bozzio), Laurent Coq's Dialogue Trio, Ada Rovatti, Barry Finnerty, Neil Jason, Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana. Mehldau and Guiliana performed as their synthesizer-oriented duo project "Mehliana". The festival took place between July 17 and 19.[10] [11]

The 2015 festival took place between July 16 and 19. Among the acts on stage were Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, Eric Harland, David Binney, Chucho Valdes, Kurt Elling, Soweto Kinch, Joe Cohn and Richard Bona.[12]

For 2016, the festival moved away from Ta` Liesse for its opening night, which took place at Valletta's City Gate. Among the acts at the 2016 festival were headliner Mike Stern, Snarky Puppy, Omer Avital, Harold López-Nussa and pianist Marcus Roberts' trio. This 26th edition of the festival took place between July 21 and 23.[13]

The 2017 festival was staged between July 20 and 22, featuring acts including Mark Guiliana, Al di Meola, Antonio Sanchez, Nicholas Payton and Munir Hossn.[14] [15] The 2018 Malta Jazz Festival was headlined by Chick Corea, John Patitucci and Dave Weckl. The festival took place between July 16 and 21.[16]

The 2019 festival took place between July 15 and 20. Some of the main acts performing were Jazzmeia Horn, Kenny Garrett, Ozmosys (featuring Omar Hakim) and Chucho Valdés. The festival also featured local acts such as the William Smith Trio, Dominic Galea and Malta Concert Orchestra's Big Band together with Joe Cutajar.[17] Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, the 2020 edition of the festival took place in a reduced format between July 13 and 18, including virtual masterclasses, an internet channel featuring rare broadcasts of concerts from the festival's archives and a virtual exhibition of photography.[18] The 2021 festival took place in a reduced 'City Jazz Series' format between July 12 and 17 with appearances from Danny Grissett, Chiara Pancadli and Darryl Hall, Yonathan Avishai, Felipe Cabrera 'Mirror' and Dmitry Baevsky 4tet.[18]

The 2022 edition of the festival took place between July 11 and 16. It featured, among others, Clark Tracey & Dominic Galea Legacy Quintet, The Blue Tangerine, Francesco Ciniglio “Locomotive Suite”, Yusan, Danny Grissett Trio, John Scofield’s “Yankee Go Home”, Warren Galea Trio, Joel Ross “Good Vibes”, Richard Bona & Alfredo Rodriguez and Daniele Cordisco quintet. The festival was dedicated to the memory of the event's founder, Charles 'City' Gatt, who died in February 2022. [19] [20]

The 2023 festival was staged between July 11 and 15, headlined by Samara Joy, Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet, Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter performing Superblue, Immanuel Wilkins, The New York Blue Note Quintet and Raynald Colom Quintent. [21]

The 2024 festival took place between July 8 and 13, headlined by Chief Adjuah, Walter Smith III Quintent, Something Else!, Trio Grande, Monica Solmaso and Tom Ollendorff Trio. [22]

Lineups

!Edition!Year!Dates!Notable Acts
11990Chick Corea, Michael Petrucciani, Elvin Jones
2199126-28 JulyElvin Jones's Jazz Machine, Robin Jones, Michael Petrucciani, Alexei Kuznetzov, Chick Corea with John Patitucci and Dave Weckl, Esmond Selwyn Trio
31992John Patitucci[23]
41993Al Di Meola[24]
51994Betty Carter, Jack Dejohnette, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern, Joe Zawinul
61995Paul Motian
71996Mro Paul Abela with Alex Debono,[25] Coco York[26]
81997Dave Weckl, Mike Stern
9199817-19 JulyMichael Brecker Group, Dave Holland Group, Diana Krall Trio, Bob Berg Band, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley[27]
10199916-18 JulyHerbie Hancock's Gershwin's World, Carla Bley 4 + 4, Gabrielle Comeglio + Cinda Jazz Funk, Larry Coryell's Eleventh House, Bill Frisell Band, Tommy Smith Group, Mike Manieri + Steps Ahead, Johann S. Big Band, Lucky Peterson's Blues Band
112000Joao Bosco and the Yellowjackets,[28] Joe Zawinul[29]
12200120-22 JulyCharlie Haden
132002Arto Tuncboyaciyan
14200318-20 JulyCalexico, Mint Royale, Wayne Shorter, Roberto Juan Rodríguez featuring David Krakauer, Diane Reeves, Tania Maria, Sandro Zerafa Quartet
15200416–18 JulyJoao Bosco and the Yellowjackets, Geri Allen, The Souldbop Band
16200515–17 JulyMaria João, Greg Osby, John Zorn, Richard Galliano, Rosa Passos, Brian Blade and Dino Saluzzi
17200621–23 JulyThe Original Blues Brothers Band, Emily Bezar, Alan Parsons
17200719–22 July Zucchero, The Wailers, Australian Pink Floyd, Nina Ferro, PP Arnold, Dr Robert
18200815–17 JulySierra Maestra, Ray Wilson, Curved Air
19200916–18 JulyBrad Mehldau, the Oliver Degabriele Trio, the Kurt Rosenwinkel Band, Eliane Elias, the John Scofield Piety Street Band, Miguel Zenon Quartet
20201015-17 JulyBill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, Greg Hutchinson, Dave Weckl, Dave King, Mike Stern, Richard Bona
21201114–16 JulyLionel Loueke, Joao Bosco, Monty Alexander and Avishai Cohen
22201219–21 JulyAl Di Meola, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chano Dominguez, Tigran Hamasyan, Dianne Reeves, Jeremy Pelt and Will Vinson
23201318–20 JulyRobert Glasper Experiment, Vijay Iyer Trio, Gregory Porter, Michel Camilo Trio, Gilad Hekselman Quartet, Gerald Clayton Trio (featuring Logan Richardson), Charles 'City' Gatt Vibraphone Quintet
24201417–19 July Warren Wolf, Tom Harrell, Kneebody, Brecker Brothers Band Reunion (featuring Terry Bozzio), Laurent Coq's Dialogue Trio, Ada Rovatti, Barry Finnerty, Neil Jason, Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana
25201516–19 JulyDanilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, Eric Harland, David Binney, Chucho Valdes, Kurt Elling, Soweto Kinch, Joe Cohn and Richard Bona
26201621–23 JulyMike Stern, Snarky Puppy, Omer Avital, Harold López-Nussa, Marcus Roberts trio
27201720–22 JulyMark Guiliana, Al di Meola, Antonio Sánchez, Nicholas Payton, Munir Hossn
28201816–21 JulyChick Corea, John Patitucci, Dave Weckl
29201915–20 JulyJazzmeia Horn, Kenny Garrett, Ozmosys (featuring Omar Hakim) and Chucho Valdés, the William Smith Trio
30202013–18 JulyMain performances cancelled due to Coronavirus outbreak.
31202112–17 JulyDanny Grissett, Chiara Pancadli and Darryl Hall, Yonathan Avishai, Felipe Cabrera 'Mirror' and Dmitry Baevsky
32202211–16 JulyClark Tracey & Dominic Galea Legacy Quintet, The Blue Tangerine, Francesco Ciniglio “Locomotive Suite”, Yusan, Danny Grissett Trio, John Scofield’s “Yankee Go Home”, Warren Galea Trio, Joel Ross “Good Vibes”, Richard Bona & Alfredo Rodriguez and Daniele Cordisco Quintet
33202310–15 JulySamara Joy, Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet, Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter performing Superblue, Immanuel Wilkins, The New York Blue Note Quintet and Raynald Colom Quintent
3420248–13 JulyChief Adjuah, Walter Smith III Quintent, Something Else!, Trio Grande, Monica Solmaso and Tom Ollendorff Trio

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 20 years of the Malta Jazz Festival celebrated. 6 July 2010. Maltatoday. 7 March 2020.
  2. Web site: Malta Jazz Festival: an enduring traditionCharles 'is-City' Gatt. Reljic. Teodor. 17 July 2013. Maltatoday. 7 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Malta Council for Culture and Arts press release . www.maltaculture.com. 10 February 2019 .
  4. News: Top Names for Revival of Jazz Festival in Valletta . .
  5. Web site: Malta Jazz Festival 2010 . www.cityofvalletta.org . 2010 .
  6. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110407/local/eclectic-jazz-festival-announced/
  7. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120401/arts-entertainment/Eclectic-array-for-jazz-fest.413847
  8. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130301/local/Michel-Camilo-returns-for-2013-Malta-Jazz-Festival.459741
  9. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130228/local/malta-jazz-festival-returns-in-july.459483&action=edit
  10. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140211/local/brad-mehldau-mark-giuliana-to-feature-at-malta-jazz-festival.506394
  11. https://www.facebook.com/maltajazzfestival#
  12. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150320/local/grammy-winners-to-feature-at-this-years-malta-jazz-festival.560694
  13. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160415/local/jazz-festival-opening-night-to-be-held-at-city-gate.608932
  14. http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/cultural_diary/75884/malta_jazz_festival_2017_promises_to_be_an_unforgettable_event#.WOJD71UrKUk
  15. https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170401/arts-entertainment/star-studded-line-up-for-malta-jazz-festival.644126
  16. https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180209/arts-entertainment/jazz-legend-chick-corea-to-headline-malta-jazz-festival.670210
  17. https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/big-names-lined-up-for-malta-jazz-festival.706594
  18. https://www.festivals.mt/mjf
  19. https://www.festivals.mt/mjf
  20. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/music/115043/charles_city_gatt_father_of_maltese_jazz_passes_away_at_77#.YtcZJnbMI2w
  21. https://www.festivals.mt/mjf
  22. https://www.festivals.mt/mjf - Malta Jazz Festvival Headliners
  23. News: Fsadni. Stephanie. Capturing Jazz Moments. 15 July 2019. Time of Malta. 7 March 2020.
  24. News: Guitar Legend for Malta Jazz Festival. 11 March 2012. Time of Malta. 7 March 2020.
  25. News: Montfort. Eric. Malta Jazz Festival gets really vibrant. 16 July 2015. Malta Independent. 7 March 2020.
  26. News: Masterclass in Voice and Improvisation. 17 July 2003. Times of Malta. 7 March 2020.
  27. May 1998. 1998 Jazz and Blues Festival Guide. Jazz Times. May 1998. 171. Google Books.
  28. News: Farrugia. Massimo. Yellow Jackets return for Jazz Festival. 27 May 2004. Times of Malta. 7 March 2020.
  29. Web site: 2000 Tour Dates. 28 May 2008. Zawinul Online. 7 March 2020.