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This project was made possible by funding through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy and the Heritage Policy Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Canadian Heritage

Rosemary Galloway

Biography

ROSEMARY GALLOWAY (bassist, composer, bandleader) was born on November 13, 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She has studied extensively in both the classical and jazz genres - composition with jazz composer Ted Moses and Dr. Sam Dolin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, acoustic bass with mult-instrumentalist/composer Don Thompson and Nancicarole Monohan (Associate Principal, Toronto Symphony Orchestra), and conducting with respected conductor/violinist Eugene Kash for several years.

Galloway has amassed a vast performance background playing on radio and television, in stage shows and concerts, and in clubs and festivals with internationally-respected jazz musicians including Clark Terry, Wild Bill Davison, Vic Dickenson, Peanuts Hucko, Maxine Sullivan, Buddy Tate, Jay McShann, Jake Hanna, Warren Vache, Spanky Davis, Doc Cheatham, and many others. She was a long-time member of Jim Galloway’s Metro Stompers, and continues to play with Jim Galloway’s Wee Big Band, pianist Norman Amadio, flutist/vocalist Kathryn Moses, and variety performer Tabby Johnson. She has frequently backed major show performers, among them James Darren, Lola Falana, Al Martino, Teresa Brewer, The Four Lads, and The Ink Spots.

Rosemary Galloway is musical director/arranger/bassist for her own groups, The Swing Sisters, with its traditional and swing style repertoire, and Velvet Glove, which came out of a collaboration with trumpeter Stacey Rowles. Both groups have released critically-acclaimed CDs, and toured extensively. In 2005, Galloway became Musical Director for the 14-piece Priscilla Wright All-Girl Big Band which continues to perform the music of the big band era for concerts and dances throughout Ontario.

With saxophonist Jane Fair, she is co-leader of the Rosemary Galloway/Jane Fair Quintet featuring Nancy Walker on piano, Lina Allemano on trumpet, and Terry Clarke on drums. The quintet has released one successful album to date (Waltz Out) comprising the original and contemporary music which is their hallmark, and have frequently appeared on tour and at jazz festivals across Canada since its 2002 release.

Galloway currently leads the a trio, a quartet, and other ensembles up to and including a big band group.