Jes Psaila

Jes Psaila
Jes Psaila performing at The Powerhouse, March 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Jesmond Psaila
Born	February 23, 1964
Origin	Valletta Malta
Genres	Fusion
Occupations	Guitarist
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1982 – present

Jes Psaila is a Maltese guitarist born in Valletta, Malta, on 23 February 1964. He grew up in the Tal-Karmnu neighbourhood of the Maltese capital.

Psaila began his musical career as an electric guitarist in 1982 playing with various rock groups, most notably with the Maltese progressive rock band Avatar. At that time other prominent Maltese rock bands included Marsascala-based Mirage, Over and Stratkast. With Psaila the founding members of Avatar were Aidan Zammit Lupi, Ivan Scicluna, Sean Griscti and Karl Griscti. The band gave memorable concerts in most of Malta's large venues and clubs, and was especially known for the intricate harmonised solos on two guitars. With Avatar, he supported the Ghanaian band Osibisa during a concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta in 1984. Zammit Lupi and the Griscti brothers left Malta by 1985 and the band never reunited.

The guitarist has also played with the Johan Strauss School of Music Jazz Band. In 2001 he played electric guitar in Jason Fabri's Jason Paul Band, that also featured deceased double bassist Bernard Scerri. Psaila has also featured with alternative rock band Syrup, that has since then disbanded.

His first performance with Walter Micallef was during the latter's official launch of M'Jien Xejn at the Erin Serracino Inglott Hall in 2003. In November 2003 he performed in Ragusa, Italy in the theatrical production Caravaggio di Merisi: chiaroscuro.

He currently plays the acoustic guitar with Walter Micallef u l-Ħbieb, and has featured in the March 2007 album Ħamsin.

References

• One World Beat preview, Times of Malta, 13 March 2004.
• Up Close to Walter Micallef, St. James Cavalier Concerts preview, Times of Malta, 3 July 2004.
• Fading Notes, The Malta Independent, 22 August 2005.
• Kull Buffura Riħ, 23 Marzu 2007.
• Music Matters, The Malta Independent, 1 April 2007.
• Everyday songs, The Malta Independent, 21 April 2007.

Persondata
Name	Psaila, Jes
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	23 February 1964
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death