Jazz aficionados and music lovers can look forward to the magical notes of internationally acclaimed musicians as Malta prepares for the 23rd edition of the annual jazz festival.

The festival will be held between July 18 and 20 at Ta’ Liesse in Valletta and this year’s edition promises an array of musical styles.

For many, the highlight will be pianist and multi-award winner Michel Camilo, who had previously performed in Malta with Tomatito.

Camilo’s 18 recordings to date have been recognised with a Grammy award, an Emmy award, two Latin Grammy awards, two Grammy award nominations and two Premios de la Música (Spain).

The festival will also feature Robert Glasper Experiment – fresh from his Grammy-award victory, two-time Grammy award nominee Gerald Clayton with his trio, and Gilad Hekselman, known as the most exciting Israeli-born musicians on the jazz scene.

The Maltese acts will include the festival’s former artistic director Charles ‘City’ Gatt with his vibraphone quintet, Walter Vella and Cusp.

In the days before and after the festival, a number of events – including master classes and open-air concerts – will also be held under the banner Jazz on the Fringe.

For the first time this year there will also be the Malta Summer Jazz Camp, featuring some of the most important musicians on the European jazz scene. These workshops will be held at the Euro Institute of Music in Ħamrun between July 17 and 20 and are free of charge.

The teachers in this year’s camp are Rino Cirinnàon on saxophone, Claudio Angeleri on piano and jazz theory, Romain Pilon on guitar, Mátyás Szandai on bass and rhythm section, and Karl Jannuska on drums.

For more information visit http://www.maltajazzfestival.org. Tickets are available on www.ticketline.com.mt