The Malta Jazz & Rock Festival - Something for everyone!
What was previously known as The Malta Jazz Festival has this year been widened to appeal to a broader spectrum of music lovers. The festival, now called the Malta Jazz & Rock Festival has a strong line-up of international and local artistes including...
What was previously known as The Malta Jazz Festival has this year been widened to appeal to a broader spectrum of music lovers. The festival, now called the Malta Jazz & Rock Festival has a strong line-up of international and local artistes including Zucchero, the Wailers, Nina Ferro and the Australian Pink Floyd. Set at the spectacular Valletta Waterfront, the festival will be held over four days between July 19 and 22. The festival is being organised by NnG Promotions together with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.NnG Director Nigel Camilleri said people can buy individual tickets for each of the four evenings. "Alternatively, we have come up with a package ticket which will enable people to see all the local and international stars over four days for only Lm30! This is really going to be a feast of music and entertainment on an unprecedented level for music lovers," he said.
Dr Camilleri said that being staged below the bastions of the islands' capital and by the waters of Grand Harbour, the festival has an unbeatable impressive backdrop.
He stressed that the line-up of artistes this year includes an impressive number of international artistes as well as well-known local musicians and bands.
"Undoubtedly, we have invested heavily in getting world renowned international talent for this year's festival. This is set to be the music festival of the year."
Dr Camilleri said that besides the international line-up, the organisers had invested equally in the best names from the local scene who will be participating in the festival including the ethnic group Tribali, the Characters, Chasing Pandora and Ivan Filletti.
He said the festival, along with several other initiatives that are being taken by NnG, are strengthening Malta's name as an ideal destination for international concerts and festivals.
"This is an incredible year for international concerts and events of an international caliber being staged in Malta. Such events of international stature are strengthening Malta's credentials to attract world known artistes."
Thursday, July 19
THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYDThe Australian Pink Floyd Show was formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1988, but wasn't known until relocating to the UK. It was the first Pink Floyd tribute band to tour in the UK back in 1993.
David Gilmour and percussionist Gary Wallis attended an Australian Pink Floyd gig at The Fairfield Halls, Croydon UK in 1994. They enjoyed the show and a chat with the Aussies and invited them to the end of "The Division Bell Tour" party where the tribute band met all the members of Pink Floyd and even got a close up look at the stage.
The Aussie Floyd received the ultimate endorsement in 1996, becoming the only Floyd tribute band to be asked to perform for a member of Pink Floyd - David Gilmour's 50th birthday celebrations in London. During this event they were joined on stage by Richard Wright and Guy Pratt, for a rousing rendition of Comfortably Numb. They then happily handed over their instruments to David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Guy Pratt, Tim Renwick, Gary Wallis and Claudia Fontaine and were treated to renditions of Money, What Do You Want From Me, and various other jams, much to the delight of the other party guests.
Friday, July 20
THE CHARACTERS
The Characters formed in the mid-1980s in London, with singer/songwriter/guitarist Ray Mercieca and fellow Maltese band mates Rayvin (guitar), Adrian (drums) and Gino (bass). After gigging in London's top venues for a couple of years and holding studio recordings, the band called it a day. Everyone went after his own projects and Ray returned to Malta. After a stint in Germany touring with High & Dry, a Swiss/German/Maltese rock band, Gino too returned to his home country. Ray met Tony Griscti (drums) in Malta, who previously played with Alternative band The Faith and decided to continue The Characters with Gino in Malta.
After a couple of gigs the band teamed up with Antoine Faure (piano/hummond/synth player) and took the music to a higher level. In 1993 the band had their first break when they were asked to perform and tour in Austria and record their first album (CD) called Destination Red in Vienna. After some gigs and concerts, some of the tracks from the album became hits in Malta. After a short break and with the help of the band's management under the direction of Michael Williams and Steve Urpani the band was already in the studio in Malta to record the second album.
The album called The Truth was launched in 1994. It was the big break they worked so hard for and the band was rewarded with several Malta Music Awards for Best Band, Best Album (CD) plus other awards from Maltese radio stations for the single Down by the Water which till today is a highly popular radio song. The album The Truth followed with more gigs and a large scale concert of 6,000 fans at the Luxol football grounds was held in 1996. After another break the band started to create new songs for the third album - Face to Face - which came into fruition in 1998. This album got the Characters another Malta Music Award for Best Band in 1998.
THE WAILERSTogether with Bob Marley, the Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. In England alone, they've notched up over 20 chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries.
Their nucleus formed in 1969, when Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh recruited the Barrett brothers from Lee 'Scratch' Perry's stable (where they were known as the Upsetters) to play on unforgettable hits such as Lively Up Yourself, Trenchtown Rock, Duppy Conqueror, and many more. After signing to Island Records in 1971, these in-demand session musicians became known as the Wailers, and then backed Bob Marley on the succession of hit singles and albums that made their lead singer a global icon, and the Third World's first ever musical superstar.
TRIBALITribali is a group of Maltese musicians who came together to celebrate their love of world music.
While placing great emphasis on ethnic rhythms, Tribali incorporate the beauty and pathos of music from the orient. Their sound is as original and diverse as their instruments which include the Indian sitar, didgeridoo, various percussion instruments and bass. Tribali's music is a truly mesmerising and unforgettable experience.
Tribali is composed of Grigal who plays the didgeridoo, Jo on sitar and guitar, Adriano on bass and Antoine and Peter Paul who both play percussions.
The musical influences of the band are quite vast. They include world music, reggae, pop, rock, classical, jazz and anything in between. The band's prime listening sources today come from the world music scene, particularly from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Saturday, July 21
DR ROBERT AND P P ARNOLDDr Robert, the The Blow Monkeys main man, has teamed up with soul legend, P P Arnold, for a brand new album of duets. Five in the Afternoon takes its name from the poem Lament For Ignacio Sanchez Mejias, by Spanish poet laureate Federico Garcia Lorca, and was recorded over a three-week period in the sweltering heat of an Andalusian summer in the Spanish port town of Motril.
This is the first time the two artistes have worked together, although neither is new to collaboration: P P Arnold having famously appeared with Ike and Tina Turner, The Small Faces, Nick Drake, Primal Scream and Roger Waters (with whom she is currently on tour) to name but a few; and Robert having previously sung with Curtis Mayfield, Paul Weller, Cheb Khaled and Kym Maselle .
CHASING PANDORAChasing Pandora's career path seems to have been taking quite a few leaps forward. Their debut album entitled Mocking The Mockingbird features quite a few contrived, intelligent and accessible songs. A few such songs have already been featured in their concerts but a few new ones really stand out.
Melissa can be regarded as a rebel who is now coming to terms with herself. Her lyrics also harp back to the past as on the searing rock and roll song Blue Leather Chairs, which is picking up considerably at their gigs and concerts.
Like Melissa, Keith also listened to a lot of music from his parents' collection, however, his upbringing in Queens, New York, has also been influential in shaping his viewpoints and songwriting style, with Steve Brown of course providing the cherry on the cake.
NINA FERRONina Ferro is recognised as one of the world's finest vocalists. Her wealth of experience has seen her perform throughout nhorth America, Europe, Asia and Australia. She has appeared with some of the great artistes including Tony Bennett, Hugh Jackman, Ricky Martin, James Morrison, Renee Geyer and Kate Ceberano. She has performed alongside masters including Gil Askey, Les Paul, Dave Sanborn, Curtis Stigers, Chris Botti, Chick Corea, Monty Alexander, Eddie Floyd, Gary US Bonds, Billie Ocean, Steve Tyrell, as well as made appearances with The Australian Pops Orchestra, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Commitments and The Cat Empire.
Nina's guest appearances with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in Texas has resulted in over 30 performances being aired (several live to air) on Public Radio International all across the US.
Nina is also featured on albums with the Jim Cullum Jazz band featuring collaborations with Dick Hyman and guests Benny Carter, Carol Woods, Topsy Chapman and Joe Williams. Her own albums have received rave reviews worldwide.
Sunday, July 22
ZUCCHEROAdelmo Fornaciari was born in Roncocesi (Reggio Emilia). His pseudonym Zucchero, meaning "sugar", has been his nickname since a very young age, and was given to him by an elementary school teacher who said he was as sweet as sugar, calling him "marmellata e zucchero" - "jam and sugar". Zucchero is probably best known internationally for the song Senza una donna, (Without a woman), which later became a duet with Paul Young and a great hit in 1991 in the latter's native United Kingdom. The song became a great success worldwide, reaching No.1 in most European charts. His music, in Italian, Spanish and English, is largely inspired by gospel, blues and rock music, and alternates between syrupy ballads and more rhythmic boogie-like pieces.
IVAN FILLETTISinger-songwriter Ivan Filletti is not new to the Maltese music scene. With his power blues rock band Filletti & Friends and thanks to a strong dose of Led Zeppelin influences, Ivan Filletti established himself as one of Malta's top blues singers and live performers on the island.
In 2004 Ivan Filletti took off with a new voice, new songs and new influences, but still hinging on his blues influences. The process of picking up the pieces took the shape of writing a new bunch of songs which led to Somedays, his debut solo album released in 2005. Early on in the writing process he met his co-writer and co-producer of the album, Boris Cezek.
That approach has certainly worked. Released in June 2005 Somedays has become one of most successful albums ever to be launched in Malta, still selling strongly 24 months since its launch.
• Tickets may be bought from Exotique outlets or Agenda bookshops, by phone on 9933 4444 or online at www.nngpromotions.com. Single day tickets cost Lm15 and a four-day pass costs Lm30. Reserved seating for the Australian Pink Floyd Show can be purchased for Lm10 with either a single-day or four-day pass.