Simon Sammut

Hi there, I have not written here in a while, mainly because I have been busy working on new material and dealing with the logistics of new projects that have been taking a lot of my time and energy. I did not expect my return to this newsletter to be for this reason. Two days ago, we lost Aurelio Belli , a legend in Maltese music, a gentleman, and someone I had the privilege of working with. His passing has affected me in a way I did not expect, and I felt I could not simply let this moment...

How yesterday’s improvisers are still colouring today’s hits Hi there, If today’s hits don’t sound like jazz, does jazz still matter? I think it does, because what survives is the approach , that is, improviser habits, micro‑timing, and harmony choices that make even loop‑based music feel alive. From New Orleans to now: the “DNA” that survived Jazz began as hybrid music, African rhythm, blues sensibility, European harmony, performed by people who bent rules on purpose. The one strand of DNA...

A simple 20, 40, or 60 minute routine Hi there, Some weeks are smooth. Others are a mix of rehearsals, juggling between different projects, admin, family, and surprises. On those weeks, a “proper” two‑hour practice can feel impossible, so we skip it. I’ve been there before and am going through it right now! What helps me is a short, clear plan I can follow in 20, 40, or 60 minutes. No overthinking. Open the case and start. Below, I’ll explain exactly what to do at each length and why it...