American soprano Beverly Sills once said: “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.”

The same can be said of mandolin player Anthony Zammit.

At the age of 15, Zammit was introduced to the instrument by Karmenu Agius who used to play and build mandolins.

This led to Zammit’s discovery of his innate love for music, and he hasn’t looked back since.

He started taking lessons under the direction of Angelo Pullicino at St Julian’s Band Club and then furthered his studies under Carmelo Pace.

Over the years, Zammit, 71, has performed with several bands and quartets, including the Armed Forces of Malta Band, where he played the trombone, the Johnny Mick quintet and the Sammy Galea quartet, where he played the double bass and trumpet.

One of his greatest moments in his music career was when he and his friend Johnny Pace serenaded the Eintracht Frankfurt football team during a reception hosted by Hilton Malta in 1977.

Eintracht Frankfurt played Sliema Wanderers in a Uefa Cup match at the Stadium, Gżira, which resulted in a goalless draw. Another landmark was in 1979, when Zammit and Pace entertained Queen Ingrid of Denmark, who was in Malta on a 10-day visit, at Bacchus restaurant in Mdina.

Over the years, Zammit has played in various hotels and restaurants, taking part in musical concerts, operas, operettas and festivals, including the Malta Song Contest, both as a mandolin and trombone player.

He vividly remembers the time when he played the double bass during the August Moon Ball featuring Italian singer Nilla Pizzi at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

Zammit still plays the mandolin he bought around 60 years ago from Agius.

He plays both popular tunes and songs by request. Needless to say, he relishes the appreciation of his impromptu music while he serenades diners at various restaurants.