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 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.

Benedict Galea

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.