Jes Psaila

Who is Jes Psaila?

Jes Psaila is a Maltese guitarist born in Valletta, Malta, on 23 February 1964.

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 been the Voices Choir guitarist between 1991 and 2006 also featured with alternative rock band Syrup, that has since then disbanded.

In November 2003 he performed in Ragusa, Italy in the theatrical production Caravaggio di Merisi: chiaroscuro and in several productions by Theatre Anon.