Read more about Jim Galloway in the Canadian Encyclopedia of Music
FEATURE ARTICLE in the TORONTO STAR, 2007
FEATURE ARTICLE in the NEW YORK TIMES, 1983
JWR Jazz Reviews - article about Jim Galloway's Wee Big Band
Jim Galloway at www.answers.com/topic/jim-galloway-1?cat=entertainment
Jim Galloway Band at Canadian Jazz Archive
BIOGRAPHY
For the past 20 years, Jim has toured as leader of several groups, including Jazz Canada and his seventeen-piece Wee Big Band, carving a niche for himself through his extremely personal tone on saxophone, and his warm lyrical approach to playing. He has also recorded albums in Austria, England, Canada, Holland, South Africa, including ten for Canada’s Sackville label, with Buddy Tate, Jay McShann, Don Thompson, Ed Bichert, Neil Swainson, among others. Galloway has performed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington in 1991 and in 1993, he was the subject of a half hour CBC television profile about his life and music.
Although Jim plays alto, tenor and baritone, his main love is the curved soprano. Regarding his style of playing and his choice of music, he thinks that for a while there seemed to be a whole school of thought that said "if I play recognizable melodies I’m not in the game." Jim thinks this is changing, which is nice and inevitable.
An excellent swing soprano player with a lighter tone than Sidney Bechet, Jim Galloway has made many recordings with like-minded veterans. He played locally in Scotland on clarinet and alto before emigrating to Canada in 1965. He soon began specializing on soprano, led the Metro Stompers (1968), put together the Wee Big Band (1978), and hosted the weekly jazz radio program Toronto Alive! (1981-1987). Galloway, who has appeared at many jazz festivals and jazz parties, has recorded for Sackville, Hep, and Music & Arts along with several smaller Canadian labels with such pianists as Dick Wellstood, Art Hodes, and most often with Jay McShann.
~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
DISCOGRAPHY
Three's Company. Wellstood piano, Magadini drums. 1973. Sack 2007
Jim Galloway and the Metro Stompers. Dean cornet, Sagermann trombone, Sorley piano, Mastri double-bass, Fearon drums. 1977. Sack 4002
Walking on Air. Wellstood piano and electric piano, Thompson double-bass, Vickery drums. 1978. Bittersweet BC-831
Bojangles. Richmond or Pringle electric piano, Moore (electric) bass guitar, Smith drums. 1978, 1979. Jackal WOW-725
Thou Swell. McShann piano, Thompson double-bass, Clarke drums. 1981. Sack 3035
Keep the Rhythm Going. Wee Big Band. (1982). CBS NPCC-80068
Doc Cheatham and Jim Galloway at the Bern Jazz Festival. Cheatham trumpet, Williams trombone, Bargh piano, Swainson double-bass, Clarke drums. 1984, 1985. Sack 3045 (CD and cass)
Jim Galloway and Art Hodes Live at Toronto's Cafe des Copains. Hodes piano. 1988. Music & Arts CD-610
Vic Dickenson/Jim Galloway Live In Toronto. Dickenson, trombone, Galloway, soprano and baritone sax, Ron Sorley, piano, Dan Mastri, bass, George Reed, drums, Paul Rimstead, drums on #4, 9, 11. A limited edition of previously unreleased recordings.
