Even those not familiar with the jazz genre will find the 25th edition of the Malta Jazz Festival appealing, according to artistic director Sandro Zerafa.

“Jazz is always evolving, with one foot in the past and another in the future.

“Today, there is incredible diversity in the genre and this year we will have a varied programme that will appeal not only to aficionados but also to those who are not familiar with jazz,” Mr Zerafa said yesterday.

The 2015 jazz festival performers will include legendary Cuban pianist and Grammy winner Chucho Valdes (above), Grammy-winning bassist Dave Holland (right) and collective Children of the Light, who form part of the Wayne Shorter Quartet (bottom).The 2015 jazz festival performers will include legendary Cuban pianist and Grammy winner Chucho Valdes (above), Grammy-winning bassist Dave Holland (right) and collective Children of the Light, who form part of the Wayne Shorter Quartet (bottom).

This year, the festival has been extended to last four days – July 16 to 19 – from the usual three-day line-up. The last day is being supported by Chogm Malta 2015 and will see saxophonist Soweto Kinch from the UK, who intertwines jazz with hip-hop, and bassist Richard Bona from Cameroon.

This year’s patrons are in for a festival peppered with an eclectic number of Grammy Award winners, including the legendary Cuban pianist and five-time award winner Chucho Valdes.

Mr Valdes will perform for the first time at Ta’ Liesse, in Valletta with Irakere 40, a tribute to the cult band founded in 1973.

Other participants include Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade, known collectively as Children of the Light, and best known for their work as part of the Wayne Shorter quartet.

Dave Holland, another Grammy winner and legend, will team up with saxophonist Chris Potter for a new project featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke and drummer extraordinaire Eric Harland.

Renowned male jazz singer Kurt Elling will bring his worldwide collection of love songs to Valletta on the opening night.

Organised by the Arts Council Malta and supported by the V18 Foundation, the jazz festival this year includes another novelty.

The first edition of The Fringe Youth Jazz Ensemble, with four Maltese and four Italian artists, will take the stage on the third day of the event. The group will then feature in a festival in Italy later this year.

More information is available on maltajazzfestival.org.

Discounted early-bird tickets can be bought until April 20.

Line-up

July 16: Kris Spiteri Noir Project, Joe Cohn Quartet featuring Yutaka Shiina and Kurt Elling Passion World

July 17: Anthony Camilleri Quartet, David Binney Avenija, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland

July 18: The Fringe Youth Jazz Ensemble, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade; Children of the Light and Chucho Valdes with Irakere 40

July 19: Third edition of the Malta Jazz Contest, Soweto Kinch Quartet and Richard Bona

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