Benedict Galea

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Benedict Galea born in Sliema on the 16 March 1969, son of Sammy Galea and Doreen Galea, brother of Dominic Galea and Manolito Galea, grew up in a music family.

His musical career began at the age of nine when he attended the Johann Straus School of music in Valletta and studied percussion. By the age of fifteen he joined a rock band, Stradkast, where he played the “music scene” in local bars and concerts. Drums became his passion endowing him with self expression and a newfound love for Jazz. As a result of which he quickly built a good reputation as a session drummer among his piers whilst he persisted in exploring the different styles of Rhythm.

While living in Los Angeles his progression in rhythmic styles grew further when, at the age of twenty, he undertook private tuition with a distinguished drummer Mark Craney (Jethro Tull), whom through Fusion jazz left a major impact on Benedict’s total self-expression in music. A self expression enriched through performing in a series of drum battles and drum circles. Sessions included other distinguished drummers like Greg Bissonette, Casey Sheverell and Doane Perry among others.

On returning to Malta he undertook the task of introducing Fusion Jazz to the Maltese musicians, who showed instant interest, therefore Ben provided access by teaching in schools and privately thus contributing to the enrichment of local talent.

Such a tuition was not only given to existing musicians but also to; beginners who ended up establishing themselves in renowned local bands, and in the 2003 Ben also had the pleasure to give private tuition to an 8 year old boy Robert Spiteri who achieved the most talent kid award in The star to B contest and was instantly endorsed by Premier.

Driven by his ambition, some years later, Benedict attended Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts. There he had the opportunity to form part of Lin Binviano’s band (Buddy Rich Band) and also part of Tiger Okoshi’s Ensemble, a group of outstanding musicians chosen to perform at the Berklee Blow out Concert.

Benedict was approached by the local representative of various drums brands and he was endorsed.

Ben has always been in the public eye due to the numerous performances; which have been accompanied by various local and foreign artists in the musical sphere.

• 1992, Representing Malta at the 7th Uluslararasi International Music Festival held in Cesme Turkey, which incorporated a number of

international guests; Donna Summer, Des’ree, Kylie Minoque, Soul & Soul and Vanilla Ice.

• 1993 Musical Me and My Girl.
• 1993-2003 Corinthia Group of Companies hired Ben as a resident band in one of there 5 star Deluxe Hotels, he also upheld the

responsibility of entertaining special events such as International nights, exclusive weddings and VIP Gala Dinners.

• 1994 Performed at the International Malta Jazz Festival with Dominic Galea’s sextet amongst guest stars such as; Betty Carter,

Jack Dejohnette, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern and Joe Zawinul.

• 1994 The Galea family was called upon to hold a concert for the National Independence celebrations in front of an audience of

12,000.

• 1994 Jazz evenings on campus at the University of Malta.
• 1995 The Galea family was called upon again to hold a concert for the National Independence celebrations in front of an

audience of 12,000.

• 1995 Manoel Theatre, Jazz concert performed by the Ben Galea trio.
• 1996 Heineken “feed the night” was a weekly event which engaged Benedict Galea Latin jazz band to tour Top local bars.
• 1996 Ben Galea Jazz Trio concert, held at the University of Malta.
• 1996 The Gala Evening held in honor of the Minister of Tourism’s 35th public life anniversary.
• 1997 Manoel Theatre Inauguration of the new courtyard with the Ben Galea Jazz trio
• 1997 Composing and performing “Dawn” for the opening of the1997 Malta Music Awards, for which he introduced choreography of

percussion ensembles complimented with Malta’s top dancers.

• 1998 Benedict Galea Latin Jazz Band was the weekly highlight at Henry J. Beans.
• 1999 Yamaha endorsed Benedict.
• 2000 Ben was approached to compose a contemporary piece of music, Danza Contemporania for the Tanya Bayona school of

Ballet, 23rd annual concert

• 2000 Recordings of original compositions in the Album Uma Viagen nu Tempo with Blade and Masquenada family in Florence.
• 2001 Iljieli Mediterranji concert of the Mnajdra Jazz Suite
• 2001 The Launching of Ben’s first CD Album “Mnajdra Jazz Suite”
• 2002 Premier endorsed Benedict
• 2003 Opening of BJ’s Music Marathon with Ira Losco
• 2004 Ben is featured in the CD Album Tribute, to the Swinging pioneers of Malta by Dominic Galea
• 2004 Ben joins the band of Ira Losco
• 2004 Performing with Ira Losco in MTV Stylorama in Axis Discotheque
• 2005 Touring in Germany with Ira Losco
• 2006 Sabian Cymbals endorsed Benedict
• 2007 Performing in the Victoria International Art festival in Gozo
• 2007 Performing a concert at the Jazz fringe Festival
• 2007 Original composition “Stages of Life” Ben Galea’s percussion ensemble performing with 15 drummers at The Grand opening of the

Mater Dei Hospital

• 2008 Performing at the Malta Jazz festival
• 2009 Ben is featured in the album Ommi by Doreen Galea
• 2010 Performing at the Għana Fest
• 2011 Performing at the Malta international Jazz festival
• 2013 DW Drums sponsors Benedict
• 2013 Ben Joins the Savina Yannatou band
• 2013 Perfoming in The Savina Yannatou concert in Kalymnos Greece
• 2013 Ben is featured in the Album Hawn Jien by Corazon Mizzi

In the year 2000, during his vacation in Italy he was noticed and was immediately contacted by the band Blade and Masquenada Family to be featured in the recording, for their new CD, Uma Viagen Nu Tempo which was recorded in Florence Italy. Ben’s ideas and suggestions gave him the opportunity to, not only be featured within the CD as a session drummer but, on the other hand his role was further extended to that of a composer. As a result he composed tracks 13, 15.

Experience in compositions triggered Benedict to convince his brother Dominic (Pianist / Composer) to together conquer the moment and produce a Jazz suite, which would be one of its kind and the first Jazz CD to be released on the island.

In 2001 the Mnajdra Jazz Suite premiere was performed live at the Greek Theater, Ta’ Qali. The CD is a tribute to the oldest temple in the world, Mnajdra Temples following the shocking act of vandalism perpetrated on them earlier that year, which had certainly raised an emphasis not just on the Maltese, but to the world’s valuable archaeological heritage. In 2004 Benedict is featured in the CD Tribute, to the swinging pioneers of Malta, by Dominic Galea, which is a compilation, comprising over 70 of Malta’s leading artists. Ben performed live at the Malta International Jazz festivals in 1994, 2008 and in 2011 amongst other numerous Jazz concerts.

And he is also featured as a session drummer in many other local recordings in all styles of music.

Ben was the official drummer of the locally top ranked band. Ira Losco’s Band came together after her fame began when placed second in the 2002 Eurovision song festival. Ben together with the band performed as supporting act with Elton John and Ronan Keating, The band has also performed in various concerts including the European Union enlargement celebrations held at Valletta, which was aired on international television; The annually held Beer festivals and the first beer festival that was held in the Island of Gozo; The National Independence day celebration; Invitations to perform live on local TV stations and interviews on Radio stations; Performing as guest on MTV Stylorama Music Award and toured all over Germany.

Ben is also well known for his percussion ensembles with original compositions and performances in some of Malta’s most important shows, inaugurations and opening ceremonies such as a contemporary composition for The Tanya Bayona Academy of Ballet Graduation Ceremony, The opening of The Malta Music Awards, The inauguration of The Manoel Theatre Courtyard In 2007. Ben had also the honor to compose and performed an original composition “Stages of Life” with his percussion ensemble including 15 drummers at The Grand Inauguration of the Mater Dei Hospital.

In 2013 Ben has joined the band and performed Greek music in concerts with famous Greek singer Savina Yannatou.