Ta' Liesse in Valletta was once again swinging to the rhythm of jazz after the annual Malta Jazz Festival returned to its old venue for the first time since 2005.

Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the three-day festival presented a more back-to-roots line-up. It came to an end on Saturday night with a performance by legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield and his Piety Street Band.

A familiar name with Maltese jazz lovers, he had already participated in previous editions of the festival with more straight-ahead jazz groups, including a quartet with saxophonist Joe Lovano.

Dominic Galea opened the last night of the festival with his trio, featuring Yoni Zelnik and Lionel Boccara, who presented a new repertoire in the bebop vein. Malta's most prominent jazz pianist, his collaboration with these Paris-based musicians fulfils one of the festival's goals - to encourage an exchange between local and international musicians.

Miguel Zenon, one of the most exciting sounds on the alto saxophone in New York City, also featured in the closing night of this year's Malta Jazz Festival, with a style that blends folk elements from his native Puerto Rico with contemporary jazz. His albums, Jibaro and Awake, have helped establish this award-winning artist as one of the major exponents of contemporary Latin jazz.

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