Maltese drummer and percussionist George Caruana (aka Tony Carr) : career, musical styles, and adaptability

Abstract

This dissertation examines the professional, international musical career of Maltese drummer and percussionist George Caruana, also known as Tony Carr (b.1927). Apart from providing a detailed account of Carr’s musical life, it also serves to shed light on popular music in Malta in the mid-twentieth century and its connections with the global scene. The work also sheds light on the ability of professional musicians to adapt to different musical styles as part of their success. The introduction in Chapter 1 outlines what prompted the present author to write this dissertation. It also explains the research methods employed and introduces Tony Carr. Chapter 2 includes relevant historical facts about the musical scene in London between the 1950s and 80s. The role of the musician and the main influences of the different styles of music, from jazz to rock, are covered in this chapter, which aspects have paved the way for the musical scene of the time. Historical facts related to the Maltese musical scene are also presented here through a discussion of the musical activity in Strait Street and Pjazza Reġina, both in Valletta. It was in these two popular venues that Maltese jazz musicians of that time, like Tony Carr, interacted with foreign jazz musicians and learned from them. The story of Tony Carr, who has had a professional musical career spanning more than thirty years, is chronicled in Chapter 3. This chapter relies on interviews conducted by the present author with Tony Carr himself and with other artists who played an important part in Carr’s career. The importance of rhythm and style in popular music, as well as early acquisition of musical knowledge and skills as emerging through Carr’s musical life, are covered in Chapter 4. Here, Carr’s rhythmic influences and techniques are discussed in detail and supported by a number of musical examples. The final chapter of this dissertation looks into the adaptations Carr made to remain relevant throughout his musical career. Improvisation, body gestures, and stick grips employed by Carr are the focus of this chapter. This discussion accentuates Carr’s ability to attune to different musical styles and communicate effectively in performance. The Conclusion summarizes the main points of the overall discussion while pointing out important aspects of how to become a professional musician in the field of popular music as witnessed by the musical life of Tony Carr.