Bank of Valletta’s 2012 calendar pays tribute to some of Malta’s ‘old timer’ musicians, captured in the place that was something of a meeting point for most musicians, The Splendid Lodging House in Strait Street in Valletta which is currently being rehabilitated to serve as a centre for the arts.
Award winning photographer Joe P. Smith, who has made a name locally as well as beyond our shores, was entrusted with the photography for the calendar. He is a member of the Malta Photographic Society of which he won the coveted Photographer of the Year Award in 1995 and also a member of the Malta Institute of Professional Photographers. The 13 photographs published exclusively in the Bank’s Calendar pay homage to some of Malta’s top musicians who played in the numerous cabaret and music halls of their era.
Joe P. Smith describes this assignment as an opportunity to express himself in a creative way, capturing rare shots of these icons. Thanks to determination and dedication, the love for who they are and what they do persists and remains ingrained in each of the individual legends photographed.
“Through these photographs I tried to capture a moment in time of these legends who have played an important role in shaping the music arena. The location, the Splendid Lodging House in Strait Street, Valletta also helped in creating a contrast and added character to the images,” added Smith.
All photographs were taken during the month of September 2011.