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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.

About Me

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. And yeah, he’s replaced that Sears guitar, with a yellow Strat and other fine instruments, which are featured in his upcoming debut album.