Dominic Galea

Dominic Galea 14-03-1965 Composer. Pianist Bandleader

Dominic Galea Born Floriana on March 14th, 1965, Grown up in a very musical family, his parents Sammy and Doreen Galea, both of whom songwriters, pianist and singer. Dominic studied Jazz Piano with his father Sammy and later furthered his studies in London under International renowned Jazz pianist/composer Stan Tracey O.B.E. He also studied with Mro. Pawlu Grech and at the University of Malta where he obtained a B.A.(Hons) in 2007, and a Masters Degree in 2010, both in music composition. Apart from performing with local ensembles, he has also played in the Vince Hill Show in the U.K(1987) and took part at the “Bratislava Jazz Days”(1985), where his composition “Horizon”performed by himself, Mario Aquilina, and Charles Gatt was recorded on a double album of international jazz musicians such as Stanly Clarke, John McCloughlin, and Terje Rypdal amongst others. He also took part in the MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL in 1994, 2003, 2008, 2009 (when he performed with Paris based musicians Yoni Zelnik and Lionel Boccara) and 2011, MALTA JAZZ FRINGE 2007,and at the “Paradise Jazz Festival”(2005) in Cyprus along with several other Arts Festivals. In 2011 he was also invited to perform the jazz concert “Dominic Galea & Friends” at the Manoel Theatre.

By 1983 Galea had started writing his first songs. He won the Malta Song Festival at the age of 18 with "Habib Tinsiex" sung by the late George Agius. This song also won him an award for “Best Young Composer” in Alexandria, Egypt 1983. His composition “Sakemm” sung by Catherine Vigar won 3rd prize at the “Bratislava Lyre Song Festival” in 1983, and “Seventh Heaven” sung by Mary Spiteri placed 2nd in the “Australian Open Song Festival” in 1988. These three songs had lyrics by Doreen Galea. Also won 1st prize at the “Golden Disc Children’s Festival” in Bulgaria with “Ewropa Gdida” lyrics by Paul Callus and sung by Analise Ellul in 1993. He also won various local song contests and participated in Italy, Turkey, Lithuania, Byelorussia and Rumania.

Galea composed forteen musicals, six of which were premiered at the prestigious “Illjieli Mediterranji Arts Festival”. “Ulied in-nanna Venut fl-Amerka” (1991), “Il-Gwerra ta’ Spiru Cefai” (1992), “Zeza tal-Flagship” (1996), “It-Tfajla tal-Palazz” (1997), “Karmen Abdilla” (1998) and “Manwel, Manwel! Il-bandiera tal-Maltin” (2000). All lyrics for the mentioned musicals together with “Rita ta’ Cascia” (2000), and “Jien Guzeppi”(2006) are by Raymond Mahoney. Other musicals include: “Malteaser” lyrics by Charles Flores (1989), “L-Gharusa tal-Mosta” lyrics by Alfred C. Sant (1995),“Erwieh 2” lyrics by Zep Camilleri (2003) and “Once Upon A Toy” lyrics by Patrick Vella (2007). He was also co-writer of “Andrelisa” with Sammy Galea and lyrics by the late Gorg Saliba (1994), and “Il-Hanut tal-Gugarelli” with Sammy Galea and lyrics by Charles Mifsud (1999).

Dominic also composed the ballet “Red Rose for a Ballerina” book by the late John Baldacchino (1997) and music for Joe Friggieri’s theatre comedy “Tkun Dard’ohra Mickelang” (2000). An anthology of the songs, lyrics by Joe Friggieri, is also recorded under the title “Tghidlix” (1998). He was also the composer for Doreen Galea’s highly acclaimed album “OMMI” (2009): a celebration of Maltese romantic songs and “Ghanja” sung by various artists (2011): commemorating the 50th anniversary from the death of Malta’s national poet Dun Karm Psaila.

With his brother Benedict, Dominic composed an original jazz album entitled “MNAJDRA JAZZ SUITE”(2001) which was inspired by the tragic incident at the megalithic temples of Mnajdra. Maltese folk music was also employed in the jazz idiom. Other jazz albums include “No Talk-No Nonsense”: trio with Mario Aquilina and Noel Grech(2002), “TRIBUTE”: a collective collaboration between thirty of the top local musicians (2004) and “Advanced Decomposition”: trio with Walter Vella and Joe Micallef (2010). The recordings for all these works were by his brother Manolito.

Galea won the BEST COMPOSER AWARD at the “Malta Music Awards” in 2001. In the same year Dominic was awarded an “Outstanding Musicianship Award” from Berklee in Umbria Perugia. In 2004 he placed first at the “Music World Festival” in Italy in the Musica Moderna section with his instrumental composition “Lament”. In 2011 he was awarded the “One Tribute 20th Anniversary Award” for his contribution as a musician and composer through-out the years, and a F.L.C.M. Diploma in “Professional Achievement” from the London College of Music (UK).

Dominic has also composed various T.V. tune-signatures, incidental music for teleserials and a large number of songs. He has also composed the background music for Phillip Farrugia Randon’s, “Puttinu u Toninu - children’s story” (2001).

Finally, Dominic teaches Degree Plus courses in Pop and Jazz Music, at the University of Malta