McCoy Tyner opens Jazz Festival in style

Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner brought the curtain down on the first night of the Malta Jazz Festival last night with his inimitable and powerful style.

Hundreds of people thronged Ta' Liesse in Valletta for the first night of an event that has established itself as the finest outdoor music festival in Malta.

McCoy Tyner, featuring Bobby Hutcherson, treated the audience to the music of John Coltrane, one of jazz music's greatest ever saxophonists.

Coltrane's quartet was responsible for some of jazz music's most memorable recordings, including Africa Bass, A Love Supreme and My Favourite Things.

Seasoned local musician Paul Giordmaina teamed up with Olivia Lewis to kick off the festival, followed by the Gonzalo Rubalcaba Project.

The Malta Jazz Festival, organised by the Department of Culture and sponsored by Vodafone Malta Limited and Cisk Export, will continue this evening with performances by the Jazz Fantasy Trio, the Diane Nalini Quartet, Don Byron and Oregon.

Followers of world music should watch out for Oregon, renowned as one of the earliest and finest exponents of world jazz.

The band initially eschewed most jazz conventions, preferring less literal forms of tonal and rhythm to blues and swing.

The festival is expected to sign off in style tomorrow with Arto Tuncboyaciyan and the Armenian Navy Band, the Michel Camilo Trio and Tuck and Patti.

Patrons are reminded to avoid the Msida area since the St Joseph feast is being celebrated there this weekend.

Tickets for the Jazz Festival performances are priced at Lm7 from all Vodafone outlets or at the door.