Spread over three days, the Malta Rock and Jazz Festival kicks off on July 18, offering a mix of established local and foreign rock and jazz artistes.
A fixed musical event on the cultural calendar and one of the summer highlights, it is organised by NnG Promotions and is, once again, being held at Valletta Waterfront.
The festival, supported by Cisk, Vodafone and Air Malta, is "also acknowledged as part of the international summer festival circuit and this year's guests include a multitalented choice of excellent musicians, some of whom are prodigies in their own right," NnG director Nigel Camilleri said.
Performers on the first night include Greenhouse, featuring young singer Nadine Axisa, whose mellow repertoire spans jazz, blues, ethnic, ballads and pop sounds, and the band Stones World, four members of which appear in the Rolling Stones' documentary Shine A Light, recently released in cinemas.
Over the last four years, Stones World has performed to sold-out crowds at legendary clubs and festivals across the globe, bringing their jazz and rock to the pleasure of Rolling Stones fans.
Cuba's leading Son music group, Sierra Maestra, which has been around for over 30 years, will be performing on July 18. The Son genre of music, born from a fusion of Spanish guitar and African rhythms, forms part of the musical tradition of Cuba, attracting followers around the globe.
Sierra Maestra have been stars of Cuban music ever since the late 1970s, playing a significant role in its recent global explosion in popularity. They are pioneers in reviving this style for new generations and reintroducing it into the Cuban mainstream.
The festival continues on July 19 with the Mizarolli Axe Phenomenon, the founder of which, John Mizarolli, took the place of Eric Clapton when the Ginger Bakers Air Force was formed.
Recognised as one of Britain's leading guitar virtuosos extraordinaire, Mr Mizarolli's guitar talents have been compared to such greats as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen. Also performing on the Saturday will be Gwyn Ashton, who has delivered show-stopping performances at various festivals and has played with the likes of Mick Fleetwood, Hubert Sumlin, Marc Ford, Jon Paris and Canned Heat.
The evening ends with former Genesis lead singer Ray Wilson and the festival comes to a close on July 20 with Dominic Galea & Co., followed by Curved Air and Sarah Jane Morris.
Mr Galea is not new to the Malta Jazz Festival but he is also an acclaimed composer, having 11 musicals to his name. In 2001, together with his brother Benedict, he composed the first Maltese jazz album, the Mnajdra Jazz Suite.
Curved Air is a British progressive rock group from the 1970s, known for successfully blending various genres to create a distinctive sound. The legendary band has reunited and Malta is its second concert after the Isle of Wight.
Eclectic singer and songwriter Sarah Jane Morris is a jazz, rock and R & B singer, best known for forming part of The Communards and their success Don't Leave Me This Way. Since then, she has continued developing her particular voice, singing solo and giving an exceptional character to well-known songs.
Tickets for the festival cost €10 per night, or €25 for all three, and are available from www.nngpromotions.com and from Vodafone, Agenda or Exotique outlets.
Half the income from ticket sales will be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund on the initiative of Air Malta as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations.