Biography of Andy Galore
Andy Galore, a much in demand bassist on the New York scene whose solid groove has powered the bands of
icons across multiple genres, steps out as a leader, arranger and composer of note with Out & About (December 2, 2014),
his debut on Motéma Music. With rich musicality and powerful chops, Galore has developed a distinctive style and an
impressive musician network over his twenty years as an inner-circle player in New York City. Out & About, an
arresting and musically varied opus, is inspired by and reflects his deep love of New York City, a vast array of
talented musicians, and the many different genres and styles Galore has mastered over the years.
When he was a teenager, Galore fell in love with New York City via the classic 1970s TV show “Kojak” and began dreaming of moving there to become a musician. He made that dream a reality at age 21, when he came to New York to study bass with masters Buster Williams, Cecil McBee and Reggie Workman at the prestigious New School University. He began his studies on upright bass, but soon realized his driving interest was the electric bass.
Shares Galore, “It was a fascinating and challenging time. I was adjusting to life in gritty New York and started gigging in the city. I played a crazy mix of different music, anything from Abba to Zappa to playing in jazz, blues, country, rock, reggae, R&B and pop bands.”
He stumbled upon the legendary 55 Bar in the West Village and soon became a regular, checking out the acts and getting to know other musicians. “That’s where I first met guitarist Mike Stern. We started to get together and jam. I would go to his place when he was in town, and we would play for hours. I couldn’t have wished for a better way to get my butt kicked continuously for over 12 years,” he chuckles.
Galore soon began working with a diverse array of artists including Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Buddy Miles and Kid Creole. These influences helped form Galore’s distinct musical aesthetic. The ten tracks on Out & About tell the tale of Galore’s life in New York as a devotee of his trade. With six strong originals and fresh arrangements of the jazz classics “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat,” “Freedom Jazz Dance” and Miles Davis’s “Robot 415,” Galore paints with a broad musical palette that includes colors from straight-ahead jazz, rock, fusion, blues, funk, R&B and world music. “Fingerprints” is a funky 6/8 African-flavored original featuring solos by Galore, Franceschini and Stern. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” is a 5/4 rendition of the famed Charles Mingus tune. It features Noy on slide guitar, which lends Galore’s version a blues/Americana tinge. “Freedom Jazz Dance” takes a decidedly contemporary spin with the use of electronica and features solos by Lindner and Rusicka. “Riannan” is a pensive ballad written by Galore to showcase Stern’s lyrical playing. Franceschini also solos. “Can You Undo This For Me” harkens to the deep influence of Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters on Galore’s musical path and his odd meter approach. It has a funky, slow 5/4 groove and an improvised melody with spontaneous motif developments by Rusicka and Noy. “Robot” features Noy and is a funky house/electronica arrangement of Miles Davis’ classic 1983 album, Decoy. “23rd Street Blues” is another Galore original and perhaps the one selection on the entire recording with most straight-ahead feel. “I wrote 23rd Street Blues to capture the vibe of the two of us of jamming at his place for so many years.” “Chicken and Scotch” is a funk-fusion original in 15/8 that recalls the best of the Brecker Brothers and Billy Cobham’s ‘70s bands. Guitarist Noy gives a show-stopping solo and Haymer plays a brilliant chops-laden piano solo. A gentle jazz ballad follows, “Passage to Forever,” featuring sensitive brush work by legendary drummer Campbell and solos by Davis and Frahm. An extended “Fingerprints” closes the journey into Galore’s New York City musical history.
The common denominator throughout the richly varied set is Galore’s solid and ever supportive bass playing. Digging deep into his roots, he holds down the bottom end with his signature full-bodied sound, adding modern flavors to classics, and tastefully expressing his own musical voice - mixing sounds and rhythms of retro and contemporary traditions.
In the mix, along with Galore, Oz Noy and Stern are the top players along with innovators Bob Franceschini (Saxophone); Joel Frahm (Saxophone); Karel Rusicka (Saxophone); Gregory Hutchinson (Drums); Kenny Wollensen (Drums); Tommy Campbell (Drums); Richard Bona (Percussion); Samuel Torres (Percussion); Jim Beard (Rhodes, Synths); Jason Lindner (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet, Synths), Jon Davis (Piano); Etienne Stadwijk (Synths), Adam Klipple (Rhodes, Synths); Max Haymer (Piano); Bennett Paster (Organ).
Galore has worked extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, performing with key players at festivals including Umbria, North Sea, New Orleans and Istanbul and at venues worldwide including House of Blues and Blue Note. Galore plays in New York City as often as he can with his band and also gives private lessons. Galore received the Billy Sheehan Scholarship Award at Bass Institute of Technology and the First Prize Scholarship Award from the American Institute of Music - Vienna, Austria. Galore now lives in Brooklyn.
