European jazz saxophonist Carlo Muscat follows album release with pro series concert

With a new album out this month, acclaimed European jazz saxophonist Carlo Muscat will perform a pro seriesconcert at Brandon University next week.

Muscat, who is originally from Malta and now based in Kyiv, Ukraine, will perform at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, inside the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. He will be backed by members of the School of Music faculty, including Diogo Peixoto, guitar; Marika Galea, bass; and Eric Platz, drums.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to host remarkable international musicians such as Carlo through the pro series,” said Galea, who is also the concert’s curator. “Carlo, in particular, is someone who has been a part of my musical community for a number of years. He plays, composes, teaches and runs a venue. He has been extremely helpful when I have taught and performed in Malta, and we are very excited to have the support of Arts Council Malta and Brandon University in supporting this visit to Canada.”

Muscat’s seventh album as a bandleader, The Body is Only Light, was recorded in Kyiv earlier this year and will be released on Friday, Oct. 25 on the American label ears&eyes Records. His previous album, Hymns, received a four-star rating from the influential American jazz magazine DownBeat, earning a spot on the publication’s Best Albums of 2023 list. Having released his first album in 2014, Muscat has explored different aspects of sound and composition in each recording since then, gaining recognition as an inventive improviser. He has been the co-owner and director of the music venue and bar Storeroom, in Ta’Xbiex, Malta since 2019.  

“It’s a credit to Marika and our amazing team in the School of Music that we are able to welcome Carlo for a pro series performance,” said Greg Gatien, Dean of Music at BU. “In a relatively short amount of time he has created an incredible body of work, and his performances on stage are equally impressive. I’m excited that our talented faculty will be playing alongside Carlo in an evening of jazz that is going to be a great treat for our local audience.”

Tickets for Tuesday’s concert are available at the door at a cost of $20 for general admission or free for BU and Conservatory of Music students.

The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Arts Council Malta, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Manitoba Arts Council.

Please note that seating in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is limited and that programs are subject to change. For an up-to-date listing of pro series and student performances, please visit Events.BrandonU.ca/Events/Category/Music.

Please contact the School of Music at Music@BrandonU.ca with any accessibility considerations.

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