Joe 'Bibi' Camilleri

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Joe ‘Bibi’ Camilleri

A humble person, who always kept his foot on the ground, and his popularity, never high up for his head, he always share with others and passed everything he knows to the others with a smile.

Joe ‘Bibi’ Camilleri born on 18 March, 1952 in Capital City of Malta, Valletta.

He attended Bavaria School for his early education and continued his studies at St. Albert College in Valletta, where he completed his schooling up to Form 5 by the age of seventeen.

Known as ‘Bibi’, it was the nickname that always know he’s family, a family nickname, that pass to him and today his children was known the same.

His father, Frank Bibi Camilleri, was a skilled pianist who consistently provided him with great encouragement. Being one of the renowned pianists in that vibrant area at the time, he was a source of inspiration. Before specializing in piano, he had mastery over the accordion and drums. His father, serving as his initial instructor, laid the foundation for his musical journey

Strait Street in Valletta at that time of fifties and sixties, was in her own glory in the entertainment scenel, most of the sailors have been visiting the island visit there and even Maltese, My Father had a family of seven and from their it was his entry living, and he was always with him after school.

He remember the first time, that he tried to play the drums when he was about 7 years, when he was going with my Father inside one of the clubs, who was named Kenner Bar, which was located in South Road in the City. Attending their, i was also osservor see and heared the sound and rhythm of the music, whether it started flooding. This bar was led by Raphael Dowling, who was a man of true, as jone coud call him, trur Gentlemen, We were going almost, a morning daily. Because when they were put into port ships, sometimes we also work, and if not, I also went to school.

From an early age of 7 years Joe attended with his father at the Kenner Bar, and when he got only twelve years, has sent by me, Ġilardu Mackay owner of the Lucky Wheel Bar which was located in the entertainment center in Strait Street to start work with him. And who is to say that he started his career in the music scene and for many years with various clubs and hotels over the years.

Throughout his career, Joe performed in numerous venues across Valletta and various renowned Maltese hotels. He played with the Val Valente band at Dragonara Group venues, entertained at places like Preluna, Hilton, Mellieħa Bay Hotel, Phoenicia with Sammy Galea's band, and joined his father's band at the Casino. His repertoire extended to venues such as Excelsior, as well as nightclubs including Kenner Bar, Toby Jug, Sacha, Nigret Night Club, Roadhouse, Tigulio, Caravel, Cherry Tree, and Incognito.

Joe ‘Bibi’ Camilleri on the Drums

Besides learning from his father, he had an enriching experience starting his piano lessons with the esteemed Bice Mizzi. At the age of fifteen, he embarked on a cruise ship adventure alongside his father, trumpeter Tony Camilleri, and three other musicians. The ship's captain honored him with a certificate for being the youngest musician ever to perform on board. They spent approximately four weeks touring Europe, entertaining passengers along the way.

During that period, he began studying music theory with Maestro Carmelo Pace. Subsequently, he continued his studies under Professor Charles Zammit, earning his Diploma (A.L.S.M) in percussion from the Lancashire England School of Music.

In 1982, he joined the Armed Forces band as a drummer led by Maestro Anthony Chircop. and later under the guidance of Mro. George Debono. In 1989, following an audition, he became part of the National Orchestra housed at the Manoel Theatre, directed by Mro. Joseph Sammut, taking on the role of a percussionist. His musical journey continued with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, where he served as the principal percussionist under the batons of Mro. Michael Laus and Mro. Brian Schembri. His involvement with the National Orchestra extended beyond Malta, marking memorable trips to Rome, Palermo, Arezzo, and a remarkable visit to China. In November 2018, he traveled to Poland with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra under the baton of conductor Mro. Mark Agius. Presently, he is an integral part of The Malta Concert Orchestra, directed by Mro. Joe Brown and Mro. Paul Abela. With the latter he also played in a Jazz Festival in Sicily. Throughout his illustrious 26-year career, he mastered various percussion instruments, including timpani, snare drum, xylophone, and held the esteemed position of principal timpanist for several years. In 1994, he was selected by Charles 'City' Gatt to participate as a drummer in the Malta Jazz Festival alongside renowned American singer Joe Lee Wilson. Additionally, in 1996, he performed at the Malta Jazz Festival with singer Caco York and collaborated with various other international musicians. In addition, he was involved as a percussionist for over fifteen consecutive years, leading in the National Eurovision Song Contest until the competition shifted away from live orchestral performances.

Meanwhile, he established his own band, performing at numerous events including weddings, dances, and various other functions.

There was a good number, over all these years, and met many big celebrity in his career, among others recall with popular Italian singers like Gianni Morandi, Andrea Bocelli, Riccardo Cocciante, Lucio Dalla and singer of jazz Aljarreau w, many others, but seemed to forget to mention the Maltese Joseph Calleja.

So he did about fifteen years teaching as a part-time, the Percussion and passing everything he know to Maltese teens in Johann Strauss School of Music. It was a nice time and still gives also given hom satisfaction. And currently he still teaching in the new school of Malta School of Music.

Joe ‘Bibi’ Camilleri at his home

In this experience he got satisfaction to emerged a good number of percussionist, the current one is ringing and make a name for, like Luke Baldacchino, Daniel Cauchi, Alex Debono, Melchior Busuttil, and his son Joseph, that afterwards also continue studying in London and others.

So now although from his work he ritared, he still teaching as a part-time, and from time to time he played with the orchestra, recently yes group played both with orchestra, at the Final Night L-Għanja tal-Poplu Żagħżagħ 2019, which was sure to experience for these future young singers, who sang accompanied with orchestra.

Joe is married to Doris on 27 August, 1978 and got two sons.

Yes I always follow the music scene. Today there are many talented musicians including singers as, where one also learns here, my message to these students is, to take b'serious music, studying and practicing, because with so grow up in good musicians, in today's scene, depending on the music genre, whether talking about contests of pop, with a few here today, is include more lights and colors on stage, with music sometimes, as Karaoki or video going, personal with I like anything by it, I wants a live orchestra, singers to be more challenging, to show their true capabilities, this is my opinion.

He, want to thank, but are no longer with him, his parents who always incourage him always, those musicians who for learing alot during the years, bands and groups who played both, them, conductors and singers, the wife and his children have always been supportive, which although for many years the music was the living for my family, have always been behind, and those music enthusiasts who have always been behind us with their support and spent by some avveliment organized.