Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540705
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 OCTOBER 2025 MUSIC Malta's premier local jazz festival returns for its second edition FOLLOWING a successful de- but, Jazz Assemblea returns for its highly anticipated second edition with a clear and pow- erful mission: to celebrate and elevate Malta's homegrown jazz talent. Taking place from 30 October to 2 November 2025 at Spazju Kreattiv, with satellite events starting on 23 October, this year's festival presents a vibrant and expand- ed programme featuring over 60 Maltese jazz musicians. "Jazz Assemblea continues to grow thanks to the extraor- dinary passion and artistry of Malta's jazz scene," says Ar- tistic Director Mro Dominic Galea. "This year's edition ex- pands in every direction - more voices, more venues, more in- spiration - while staying true to its roots as a festival made by and for Maltese jazz artists." What distinguishes Jazz As- semblea is its exclusive focus on local talent. From emerg- ing artists to established vet- erans, the festival showcases a cross-generational lineup that captures the depth, range, and creative energy of Mal- ta's jazz community. The 2025 programme features 18 live performances, ranging from lunchtime gigs to evening con- certs, and includes the launch of SUPERNOVA, a new album by acclaimed musician and composer Ray Agius. The festival also places a strong emphasis on education and mentorship, with a special performance by students from the Malta School of Music. Complementing the live music programme is a series of free public workshops and panel discussions, led by established local jazz artists, as well as a late-night open jam session, welcoming both musi- cians and enthusiasts for an evening of spon- taneous, collective ex- pression. Returning this year is Jazz Vignettes: Frag- ments, Connected, curat- ed by Ġużè Camilleri. This multidisciplinary exhibition explores the Maltese jazz scene of the 1970s and 1980s, with a focus on three prominent art- ists: Joe Smith, Charles 'City' Gatt - featuring an exclusive short documentary In City's Rhythm - and Connections, a new series of glass sculptures by Walter Vella, inspired by the fluid, improvi- sational nature of jazz. The ex- hibition is free and open to the public and runs until 9 November 2025. This project is a co-produc- tion between NAPA - Nation- al Agency for Performing Arts and Spazju Kreattiv, and is supported by the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Gov- ernment, VisitMalta and Lito's Place. Location: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta Exhibition: 25th September – 9th November 2025 Satellite Events: 23rd & 29th October 2025 Festival: 30th October – 2nd November 2025 Tickets & Information: showshappening.com/ national-agency-for-the- performing-arts-napa/jazz- assemblea-2025