Difference between revisions of "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. | '''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 | His musical career began at the age of nine when he attended the [[Johann Strauss School]] of music in Valletta and studied percussion. By the age of fifteen he joined a rock band, [[Stratkast]], playing in gigs in local bars and concerts. Drums became his passion and soon Jazz became his newfound love. As a result 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 | While living in Los Angeles his progression in rhythmic styles grew further when, at the age of twenty, he undertook private tuition with distinguished Jethro Tull drummer Mark Craney. Throiugh Fusion Jazz, the latter 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. | ||
[[File: benedictgalea.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Benedict Galea]] | [[File: benedictgalea.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Benedict Galea]] | ||
On returning to [[Malta]] | On returning to [[Malta]] Ben undertook the task of introducing Fusion Jazz to Maltese musicians who showed instant interest. He provided access by teaching in schools and in private lessons contributing to the enrichment of local talent. | ||
Such | Such tuition was not only given to established musicians but also to beginners who ended up in renowned local bands. In 2003 Galea also had the pleasure to give private tuition to an 8 year old boy [[Robert Spiteri]] of Birżebbuġa, who achieved the Most Talented 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. | 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 | Benedict was approached by the local representative of various drums brands and was endorsed. | ||
His portfolio includes: | |||
* 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 Minogue, Soul & Soul and Vanilla Ice. | |||
* 1992 | * 1993 - Musical ''Me and My Girl''. | ||
international guests; Donna Summer, Des’ree, Kylie | * 1993-2003 - Corinthia Group of Companies hired Ben as a resident musician in one of their 5 star Hotels. He also upheld the | ||
* 1993 Musical ''Me and My Girl''. | |||
* 1993-2003 Corinthia Group of Companies hired Ben as a resident | |||
responsibility of entertaining special events such as International nights, exclusive weddings and VIP Gala Dinners. | 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 | * 1994 - Performed at the International [[Malta Jazz Festival]] with Dominic Galea’s sextet. The Festival line-up included Betty Carter, Jack Dejohnette, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern and Joe Zawinul. | ||
Jack Dejohnette, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern and Joe Zawinul. | * 1994 - The Galea family held an open air concert as part of Malta's Independence celebrations in front of an audience of 12,000. | ||
* 1994 The Galea family | * 1994 - Jazz evenings on campus at the University of Malta. | ||
12,000. | * 1995 - The Galea family held another concert as part of Malta's Independence celebrations. | ||
* 1994 Jazz evenings on campus at the University of Malta. | * 1995 - Jazz concert performed by the Ben Galea trio at the [[Manoel Theatre]]. | ||
* 1995 The Galea family | * 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. | |||
* 1995 | * 1996 - The Gala Evening held in honor of the Minister of Tourism’s 35th public life anniversary. | ||
* 1996 Heineken “feed the night” was a weekly event which engaged Benedict Galea Latin jazz band to tour | * 1997 - Inauguration of the new Manoel Theatre courtyard with the Ben Galea Jazz trio | ||
* 1996 Ben Galea Jazz Trio concert, held at the University of Malta. | * 1997 - Composing and performing “Dawn” for the opening of the 1997 [[Malta Music Awards]], for which he introduced choreography of | ||
* 1996 The Gala Evening held in honor of the Minister of Tourism’s 35th public life anniversary. | |||
* 1997 | |||
* 1997 Composing and performing “Dawn” for the opening of | |||
percussion ensembles complimented with Malta’s top dancers. | percussion ensembles complimented with Malta’s top dancers. | ||
* 1998 Benedict Galea Latin Jazz Band | * 1998 - Benedict Galea Latin Jazz Band as the weekly highlight at Henry J. Beans. | ||
* 1999 Yamaha endorsed Benedict. | * 1999 - Yamaha endorsed Benedict. | ||
* 2000 Ben was approached to compose a contemporary piece of music | * 2000 - Ben was approached to compose a contemporary piece of music; ''Danza Contemporania'' for the [[Tanya Bayona]] school of | ||
Ballet | Ballet's 23rd annual concert | ||
* 2000 | * 2000 - During his vacation in Italy, Ben was noticed and immediately contacted by the ''Blade and Masquenada Family'' band to feature in the recording for their new CD, ''Uma Viagen Nu Tempo'', recorded in Florence. Due to his ideas and suggestions, he not only be featured in the CD as a session drummer but also as a composer. As a result he composed tracks 13 and 15. | ||
* 2001 [[Iljieli Mediterranji]] concert of the | * 2001 - [[Iljieli Mediterranji]] concert of the ''Mnajdra Jazz Suite'' at the [[Greek Theater]], [[Ta’ Qali]] | ||
* 2001 The Launching of Ben’s first CD Album | * 2001 - The Launching of Ben’s first CD Album ''Mnajdra Jazz Suite'', the first Jazz CD released in Malta. It is a tribute to the oldest standing building in the world, ''Mnajdra Temple'' following a shocking act of vandalism earlier that year | ||
* 2002 Premier endorsed Benedict | * 2002 - Premier endorsed Benedict | ||
* 2003 Opening of [[BJ’s Music Marathon]] with [[Ira Losco]] | * 2003 - Opening of [[BJ’s Music Marathon]] with singer [[Ira Losco]] | ||
* 2004 Ben is featured in the CD '' | * 2004 - Ben is featured in the CD album ''Tribute... to the Swinging Pioneers of Malta'' by Dominic Galea; a compilation, comprising over 70 of Malta’s leading artists | ||
* 2004 Ben joins | * 2004 - Ben joins Ira Losco's band | ||
* 2004 | * 2004 - Performances with Ira Losco in MTV Stylorama in [[Axis Discotheque]] | ||
* 2005 Touring in Germany with Ira Losco | * 2005 - Touring in Germany with Ira Losco | ||
* 2006 Sabian Cymbals endorsed Benedict | * 2006 - Sabian Cymbals endorsed Benedict | ||
* 2007 Performing in the [[Victoria International Art | * 2007 - Performing in the [[Victoria International Art Festival]] in [[Gozo]] | ||
* 2007 Performing a concert at the Jazz | * 2007 - Performing a concert at the Jazz Fringe Festival | ||
* 2007 Original composition “Stages of Life” Ben Galea’s percussion ensemble | * 2007 - Original composition “Stages of Life” is performed by Ben Galea’s percussion ensemble with 15 drummers at the grand opening of the [[Mater Dei Hospital]] | ||
[[Mater Dei Hospital]] | * 2008 - Performing at the Malta Jazz Festival | ||
* 2008 Performing at the | * 2009 - Ben is featured in the album ''Ommi'' by his mother Doreen Galea | ||
* 2009 Ben is featured in the album ''Ommi'' by Doreen Galea | * 2010 - Performing at the ''Għana Fest'' | ||
* 2010 Performing at the ''Għana Fest'' | * 2011 - Performing at the Malta International Jazz Festival | ||
* 2011 Performing at the | * 2013 - DW Drums sponsors Benedict | ||
* 2013 DW Drums sponsors Benedict | * 2013 - Ben joins famous Greek singer [[Savina Yannatou]]'s band | ||
* 2013 Ben | * 2013 - Perfoming Greek music in the Savina Yannatou concert in Kalymnos Greece | ||
* 2013 Perfoming in | * 2013 - Ben is featured in the Album ''Hawn Jien'' by [[Corazon Mizzi]] | ||
* 2013 Ben is featured in the Album ''Hawn Jien'' by [[Corazon Mizzi]] | |||
With Ira Losco's band, Ben performed as supporting act for Elton John and Ronan Keating. The band has also performed in various concerts including the European Union enlargement celebrations held in [[Valletta]] and was aired on international television; the annual Beer festivals and the first beer festival edition held in the Island of Gozo; the Independence Day celebration; live performances on local TV stations and interviews on radio stations. | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galea, Benedict}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Galea, Benedict}} |
Latest revision as of 04:19, 13 January 2016
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 Strauss School of music in Valletta and studied percussion. By the age of fifteen he joined a rock band, Stratkast, playing in gigs in local bars and concerts. Drums became his passion and soon Jazz became his newfound love. As a result 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 distinguished Jethro Tull drummer Mark Craney. Throiugh Fusion Jazz, the latter 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 Ben undertook the task of introducing Fusion Jazz to Maltese musicians who showed instant interest. He provided access by teaching in schools and in private lessons contributing to the enrichment of local talent.
Such tuition was not only given to established musicians but also to beginners who ended up in renowned local bands. In 2003 Galea also had the pleasure to give private tuition to an 8 year old boy Robert Spiteri of Birżebbuġa, who achieved the Most Talented 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 was endorsed.
His portfolio includes:
- 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 Minogue, Soul & Soul and Vanilla Ice.
- 1993 - Musical Me and My Girl.
- 1993-2003 - Corinthia Group of Companies hired Ben as a resident musician in one of their 5 star 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. The Festival line-up included Betty Carter, Jack Dejohnette, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, Mike Stern and Joe Zawinul.
- 1994 - The Galea family held an open air concert as part of Malta's Independence celebrations in front of an audience of 12,000.
- 1994 - Jazz evenings on campus at the University of Malta.
- 1995 - The Galea family held another concert as part of Malta's Independence celebrations.
- 1995 - Jazz concert performed by the Ben Galea trio at the Manoel Theatre.
- 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 - Inauguration of the new Manoel Theatre courtyard with the Ben Galea Jazz trio
- 1997 - Composing and performing “Dawn” for the opening of the 1997 Malta Music Awards, for which he introduced choreography of
percussion ensembles complimented with Malta’s top dancers.
- 1998 - Benedict Galea Latin Jazz Band as 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's 23rd annual concert
- 2000 - During his vacation in Italy, Ben was noticed and immediately contacted by the Blade and Masquenada Family band to feature in the recording for their new CD, Uma Viagen Nu Tempo, recorded in Florence. Due to his ideas and suggestions, he not only be featured in the CD as a session drummer but also as a composer. As a result he composed tracks 13 and 15.
- 2001 - Iljieli Mediterranji concert of the Mnajdra Jazz Suite at the Greek Theater, Ta’ Qali
- 2001 - The Launching of Ben’s first CD Album Mnajdra Jazz Suite, the first Jazz CD released in Malta. It is a tribute to the oldest standing building in the world, Mnajdra Temple following a shocking act of vandalism earlier that year
- 2002 - Premier endorsed Benedict
- 2003 - Opening of BJ’s Music Marathon with singer Ira Losco
- 2004 - Ben is featured in the CD album Tribute... to the Swinging Pioneers of Malta by Dominic Galea; a compilation, comprising over 70 of Malta’s leading artists
- 2004 - Ben joins Ira Losco's band
- 2004 - Performances 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” is performed by Ben Galea’s percussion ensemble 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 his mother Doreen Galea
- 2010 - Performing at the Għana Fest
- 2011 - Performing at the Malta International Jazz Festival
- 2013 - DW Drums sponsors Benedict
- 2013 - Ben joins famous Greek singer Savina Yannatou's band
- 2013 - Perfoming Greek music in the Savina Yannatou concert in Kalymnos Greece
- 2013 - Ben is featured in the Album Hawn Jien by Corazon Mizzi
With Ira Losco's band, Ben performed as supporting act for Elton John and Ronan Keating. The band has also performed in various concerts including the European Union enlargement celebrations held in Valletta and was aired on international television; the annual Beer festivals and the first beer festival edition held in the Island of Gozo; the Independence Day celebration; live performances on local TV stations and interviews on radio stations.