Mike Stern returns to Malta for jazz festival

Guitar virtuoso Mike Stern will be performing at this year's Malta Jazz Festival, the concert's organisers announced yesterday.

The five-time Grammy nominee will headline the opening night of the festival on July 15 accompanied by drumming luminary Dave Weckl, bassist Chris Minh Doky and trumpeter and flugelhorn player Randy Brecker.

Twenty years have passed since Charles "City" Gatt dreamt up the festival and jazz greats such as Chick Corea, John Scofield and Michel Petrucciani have graced the Ta' Liesse stage in Valletta. It will be the third time Mr Stern performs in Malta.

Playing on the second night, Esperanza Spalding, a 25-year old vocalist and bassist, is touted to win over the hearts of the audience with her voice. She has already won the favour of US president Barack Obama, when he asked her to perform after he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

Culture Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said this year's festival had a particular significance since it was the 20th year, and added that a fringe event to the main festival was being discussed.

"The festival brings out the contrast of different styles; jazz is a multi-faceted style of music borne out of different cultures. We tried to paint a picture of the current jazz scene," festival artistic director Sandro Zerafa, himself a jazz guitarist, said.

The festival will showcase a myriad of different styles, ranging from the "nu-jazz" sound of trio The Bad Plus - who have Nirvana's Lithium and Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb in their repertoire - to the double-rhythm section jazz of the Joshua Redman Double Trio.

Local talent will be represented as well; singer Francesca Galea will open the night accompanied by Leonardo Montana, while the festival's founder, Mr Gatt will perform with his quartet, featuring pianist Joe Debono, Amy Gamlen on saxophone and Matteo Bortone on bass.

Mr Zerafa said there was the possibility of artistes holding master classes for local musicians.

The festival's line-up

July 15: Francesca Galea accompanied by Leonardo Montana, The Bad Plus and the Mike Stern Band.

July 16: Esperanza Spalding and the Joshua Redman Double Trio, featuring sax player Joshua Redman accompanied by a double portion of bassists and drummers.

July 17: Charles Gatt Quartet, Ari Hoenig Punk Bop Trio and bass virtuoso Richard Bona.

Single day tickets cost €15, reserved seating tickets €20. A three-day pass can be bought for €30. Students and the elderly pay €10 per night or €20 for a three-day pass. Tickets will be on sale from www.maltaticket.com as from today.

www.maltajazzfestival.org