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Galen Weston

Toronto Jazz Guitarist, Galen Weston, is a bringing a fresh new sound to jazz with his beautiful guitar tones and undeniable skills.

Galen first picked up a guitar at age 11, a Sears acoustic guitar - the consolation to the electric guitar he had actually wanted for his birthday. There was only one thing to do, save his own money for the next two years to purchase an electric guitar. The new guitar in hand, Galen started experimenting by plugging it into an amplifier and boom box, to less than ideal results at first! But he was hooked, and happily gave up academic ambition to focus on the guitar, which he would play up to 10 hours a day.

Without a television at home, and parents who didn’t approve of rock ‘n roll, Galen’s musical education began with the clandestine ACDC and KISS records he snuck home. He joined his first band at age 15, playing backyard parties in his hometown of Freelton: population 500.

With high school drawing to a close, Galen was wondering what to do next. He had heard of something called “jazz” that one could study in college. He asked an older musician friend, who generously gave Galen two boxes of jazz records, and from that treasure box, Galen rediscovered music: Mike Stern, Weather Report, and Pat Metheny became instant favourites, and remain so to this day.

Now a jazz enthusiast, Galen attended Humber’s jazz program, one of the most respected programs in North America. There, his musical tastes and abilities matured, but after 4 years in school, and needing to earn a living, Galen pursued various jobs from construction to finance, before building his own Internet based company.

Fifteen years after graduating from Humber, on a trip with his wife, Sousie, and their newborn daughter, Rose, the musical drive still gnawing at him, a passing remark by Sousie to a musician in a local bar in a small Greek village would change Galen’s life. The musician, despite Galen’s protests, compelled Galen to join him around the table and play the guitar. Hours passed without notice as they played, and Galen knew then that he couldn’t go back to running his business. He bought himself a bouzouki and a classical guitar during that trip. When he returned, he hired someone else to manage his company, built himself a recording studio, and re-dedicated his life to making the music he loved. It’s been three years since that trip to Greece, and Galen is happier than ever – just like when he was 13 years old, he’s again spending 10 hours a day playing his guitar.

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Album Review

Galen Weston: Plugged In

Read "Plugged In" reviewed by Karl Ackermann


Moving from his high school listening experiences of groups like ACDC and Kiss, guitarist Galen Weston discovered jazz through the influences of well-established guitarists such as Pat Metheny and Mike Stern. After attending the highly-regarded jazz program at Toronto's Humber College, Weston opted out of music for more than ten years while pursuing other business interests. While traveling, a chance sit-in at a bar session in a small Greek town reignited Weston's interest in music. The result of his self-imposed ...

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Recording

Toronto guitarist Galen Weston gets Plugged In & turned back on with debut album

Toronto guitarist Galen Weston gets Plugged In & turned back on with debut album

Source: Michael Ricci

Guitarist and composer Galen Weston unleashes a lifetime of music on his ambitious debut album, Plugged In. After laying down his guitar for more than a decade, Weston breathes life into his almost forgotten songs, recording 10 original tracks and two covers with fine craftsmanship and intense focus, while showcasing an unwavering dedication to tonal quality and nuance. Fueled by jazz and rock guitarists such as Mike Stern, Wes Montgomery, Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai, the record showcases ...

A refined player from Toronto, Galen Weston straddles a myriad of styles on his auspicious debut as a leader. From his singing six-string work on the urgently funky "Besonite" to his mellow lyricism on the melodic anthem "The Yellow Guitar," his soulful expression on "Song for Daphne" or his unapologetic chops showcase on the fusiony "Tasteless," Weston wails with conviction and rare facility. Definitely a talent deserving of wider recognition." — Bill Milkowski

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Plugged In

Blujazz
2015

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Bensonite

From: Plugged In
By Galen Weston

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