Marc Galea

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The poster for the Album Launch Concert

Marc Galea born on 20 Febuary 1980 and lives in l-Imġarr. He is a session guitarist, RGT Registered Tutor, and principal at the Euro Institute of Music in Hamrun. In 2008 and 2009 he was awarded the internationally-acclaimed RGT Guitar Tutor of the Year finalist Award.

The Beginning

Marc started learning classical guitar at age 11 but immediately exchanged it for an electric guitar after hearing Brian May play. Following a trip to Cardiff to see Joe Satriani in concert when he was 16 years old, he decided to take up guitar professionally and set about studying with intent and practicing with his first serious band Juicy Affair. They gigged in pubs and concerts and their original single Lady featured in the Maltese compilation CD Illusions. After three years they disbanded and Marc formed an instrumental rock band named Nice Price. They played mainly Steve Vai and Joe Satriani covers in several venues around the island including Rock Café, BJ's and the 1999 Beer Festival.

In 2001 he held a teaching post in the state school Malta Society of Arts in Valletta. That same year Marc produced and presented the innovative successful TV series B'Sitt Kordi on the Education 22 TV channel, where he taught basic guitar and interviewed established guitarists in Malta. At that time he was also rehearsing and gigging with the rock band Lunatic, who recorded the single In My Dreams.

The professional guitar tutor

In 2002 Marc went to the UK to study with leading guitar tutor John Mizarolli. John inspired him to further his studies and in 2005 he graduated with an LLCM TD Diploma from RGT as a professional guitar tutor. He consequently featured in the 32nd issue of Guitar Tutor Magazine after RGT examiner Vic Hyland, who came to Malta to examine Marc's students, was impressed by their talent and enthusiasm.

Since meeting Maltese jazz guitarist Sandro Zerafa and taking lessons with him, Marc started delving into jazz styles. He attended a Berklee University summer jazz course in Perugia, Italy in 2005 where he studied with Jim Kelly and Mark White. He also encountered renowned jazz guitarist, and future tutor and collaborator, Luigi Tessarollo. After listening to Marc's single Dusty Sunbeams, Tessarollo was interested in working on a project together. This led to a sold-out duo jazz concert at St. James Cavalier in February, 2006. He has also given master classes on Jazz Improvisation and History of Jazz at the Euro Institute of Music.

Marc gave another sold-out concert at the St. James Cavalier this time as a duo with Jimi Savage on 18 February 2007. The night closed with the duo playing and jamming with the Marc Galea Elektric Band.

Marc invited Tessarollo for a second time to perform at the launching of his My Journey EP on June 30, 2007 at the Malta University's Evening on Campus. The concert started off with the Marc Galea Elektric Band. They played Marc's own compositions and arrangements of the band's influences. Marc proceeded to play a jazz duo set with Luigi Tessarollo.

In August 2007, while working as a session guitarist with Ivan Filletti, Marc shared the stage with Italian singer songwriter Claudio Baglioni performing during widely publicized O'SCIA concert in Valletta waterfront. In November 2007 had Marc teamed up with Nadine Axisa (vocals), Adrian Galea (drums) and Eric Wadge (bass) forming Jazz quartet Groovin' High. They performed in several venues around the island.

In December 2008, after reading his CV on my space, guitarist Phil Hilborne contacted Marc, offering to give a guitar master class at the Euro Institute. This was a successful experience working with UK's finest and renowned guitar player. Marc was also featured teaching guitar during a TV series called Bands. This program was aired every week on TVM between October till December 2008.

Marc together with guitarist Steve Delia opened the concert for legendary acoustic guitar player Gordon Giltrap organized by Masquerade Theatre company at the Manoel Theatre on the May 6, 2008. Mr.Giltrap also gave a soldout masterclass at the Euro Institute Hamrun wher students had the opportunity to ask him about his technique and career.

Marc had worked with pianist/composer Dominic Galea, whom together with Drummer Ben Galea and bassist Eric Wadge played at the Malta Jazz Festival on 20 July 2008.

2009 was another busy year for Marc since he had a chance to work again with Phil Hilborne and legendary bass player Neil Murray (Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Brian May, Gary Moore ). After a sold out masterclass at the Euro Institute of Music, they finished with a concert at the Valletta Waterfront.

In September 2009, Tech Music Schools became partners with the Euro Institute of Music. They organized a master class at the Euro Institute where Marc worked with talented guitarist John Wheatcroft.

In June 2011 Marc launched his album Easy Dialogue at the St. James Cavalier. The musicians featured on the album are Paul Abela, Alan Portelli, Joe 'Bibi' Camilleri, Dominic Galea, Adrian Galea, Mario Abela, Adrian 'Russu' Brincat and Walter Vella. Together with his quartet Marc will be performing at the 21st edition of the Malta Jazz Festival.

Marc has played in many events and musicals under the direction of Mro. Paul Abela, such as Godspell, Blood Brothers, Fame, Seussical. He has also worked with Mro. Kevin Abela and Mro. Sigmund Mifsud where he played with Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and recently was part of Rockestra.

Discography

EPs

My Journey EP (2007)

Demo EP (2009)

Albums

Easy Dialogue (2011)

External Links

Marc Galea Official website

Marc Galea on Facebook

See also

Speaking In Six Strings (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta 19 Jun 2011)

Category:Marc Galea Photos