Tony Carr (George Caruana): Maltese Jazz Pioneer Dies at 98

Tony Carr, the pioneering Maltese drummer and percussionist whose remarkable career spanned jazz, pop and international session work, died on January 2, 2026, at the age of 98. Born George Caruana in Valletta in 1927, Carr’s journey from the smoke-filled bars of Malta’s Strait Street to world-renowned studios in London made him one of Malta’s most distinguished musicians of the 20th century.

Carr came of age during World War II, when Malta’s nightlife was animated by Allied servicemen and visiting musicians. Drawn to jazz at a young age, he learned his craft in local clubs and dance halls, absorbing the rhythms and improvisational styles of African-American jazz musicians passing through the island. By the late 1940s, he had become a central figure in one of Malta’s earliest jazz trios, helping to introduce modern jazz to local audiences.

In 1952, Carr left Malta for London, determined to pursue a full-time career in music. The early years were difficult, marked by financial hardship and sporadic work, but his technical precision and musical sensitivity gradually earned him recognition. His major breakthrough came when legendary American bandleader Billy Eckstine selected him for a European tour, later praising Carr as one of the finest accompanists he had encountered in Britain.

From the 1960s through the early 1980s, Carr became one of the UK’s most reliable and versatile session drummers. He worked across jazz, pop, soul and rock, performing and recording with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and many others. Among his most notable appearances was his participation in Paul McCartney’s Rockestra project, where he recorded alongside members of Led Zeppelin and other leading rock musicians of the era.

Despite his international success, Carr remained relatively unknown to younger generations in Malta for many years. This began to change in the 2020s, as renewed interest in Malta’s musical heritage brought his story back into public consciousness. A significant milestone was the release of the documentary Strait Street to Abbey Road, which traced Carr’s path from Valletta’s jazz scene to London’s elite recording studios, restoring his place in Maltese cultural history.

Tony Carr is remembered not only for his exceptional musicianship, but also for his quiet determination and professionalism. His death on January 2, 2026, marked the end of a life that mirrored the evolution of modern popular music and stood as a testament to the global reach of Maltese talent.

Timeline: Tony Carr – Life and Career

• 1927 – Born George Caruana in Valletta, Malta.

• Early 1940s – Discovers jazz during World War II; begins performing in Strait Street venues.

• Late 1940s – Becomes part of one of Malta’s earliest jazz trios, helping shape the island’s jazz scene.

• 1952 – Moves to London to pursue a professional music career.

• Mid-1950s – Gains international exposure touring Europe with Billy Eckstine.

• 1960s–1980s – Establishes himself as a leading UK session drummer, working with major jazz and pop artists.

• Late 1970s – Records with Paul McCartney’s Rockestra supergroup.

• 2024 – Life and career celebrated in the documentary Strait Street to Abbey Road.

• January 2, 2026 – Dies aged 98, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Maltese and international music history.

Photos: Ġużè Camilleri

Further reading: Tony Carr: A Forgotten Giant of Jazz Remembered in New Documentary