Duncan Galloway Concert
It’s not often that Ulsan has famous celebrities come for concerts. It’s even more rare that they perform in English. And as if that weren’t enough, the music will be a style that doesn’t get much play here in town – Jazz and Swing! On October 1st, Ulsan is in for a special treat. Duncan Galloway will be performing at the Ulsan Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, October 1st at 6pm.
Galloway began his musical career in Jazz and Swing, with talents in singing, saxphone and drums at the prestigious Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic art in London. After that he worked for a children’s program on the BBC and then was the lead singer Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
His stage presence with a particularly sweet voice is reminiscent of the crooners of old, such as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire – a style the whole world loves and has many fans. He has played primarily in Europe garnering awards in Germany and playing for the British Royal family on numerous occasions.
This October will be Galloway’s first Korean performance and much hangs on the success of it. Ulsan music promoter Johnny Min of RNJ Music says “this style is a little bit risky,” and he’s not sure if there is sufficient interest in this style of music. We hope the the show is a great success and many more talented artists visit our city. The show opens with the Duncan Galloway Quintet (DGQ) and includes four other Jazz and Swing greats who will accompany Galloway.
Alec Dankworth on bass is the son of legendary jazz singer and Grammy award winner Cleo Laine and British saxophonist Johnny Dankworth. He studied at the Berklee College in Boston USA. Since then he has worked with artists ranging from Stephane Grappelli to Abdullah Ibrahim. Projects with Nigel Kennedy have included a duet recording of Duke Ellington’s ‘Black, Brown and Beige’ suite. He joined the Van Morrison group in 1995, touring and recording three albums. In ’97 he spent a year in New York, performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He then worked with The Dave Brubeck Quartet for 2 years, recording 3 CDs.
Robin Asplandon piano has played with a number of star names including George Coleman, Steve Grossman, Bobby Watson, Eddie Henderson, Arturo Sandoval, Van Morrison, Cleo Laine, Ronnie Scott, Pete King, Dave O’Higgins, Kenny Wheeler and Georgie Fame. He played in the Italian Jazz band in the Hollywood film the “The Talented Mr. Ripley”
and has taught on Michael Garrick’s Jazz Academy Summer Schools and Piano People Course.
Robert Fowler on saxophone is regularly seen on the British Jazz and big band circuit with various ensembles including Humphrey Lyttleton, the great british Jazz Band Syd Lawrence and his Orchestra, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra Back to Basie, and as far afield as touring the world with Bryan Ferry. Robert is a rarity among the younger generation of players in that he has honed his skills playing in big bands, very much the same way as the older stars like Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster did.
John Watson started playing the drums at the age of 8 and found his way to Bristol playing with the Blue Note Jazz Band and Henry’s Boot Blacks. On one of the early Rhythm and Blues festival at the bottom of the bill were the Rolling Stones! Since 2005 John has held the drum chair for the Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
Need a taste of Galloway’s special talent? Check out his version of As Time Goes By, the classic song that defined an era when it appeared in 1942’s “Casablanca” with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Or try a bigger bite with this youtube clip of Duncan with his big band, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra:
Why Ulsan you might be wondering? Why not the bigger venues like Seoul or even Busan? Family might be the best reason. Galloway is married to an Ulsan native
Tickets for the concert are 45k won and 35k won or 25k for 2nd floor balcony. They may be purchased through RNJ Music (052-272-5222) and InterPark, and Internet Auction (IE site only).