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Galactic

History doesn’t stand still. It impacts, influences, and inspires the ebb and flow of the future by informing the present. Galactic draw on 25 years together in order to progress with each performance and subsequent record. After 10 albums, over 2,000 gigs, and tens of millions of streams, the proud New Orleans, LA quintet—Ben Ellman [saxophone, harmonica], Robert Mercurio [bass], Stanton Moore [drums, percussion], Jeffrey Raines [guitar], and Richard Vogal [keyboards]—have kept the torch burning through five U.S. presidential regimes, the turn-of-the-century, Hurricane Katrina, a Global Pandemic, and a much-anticipated recovery. They’re the rare collective who can support Juvenile on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, contribute music to a blockbuster soundtrack such as Now You See Me, and light up the stages of Coachella, Bonnaroo, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (a staggering 22 times).

Joined by vocal powerhouse Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, they continue to forge ahead with a 2021 headline tour and more new music.

“There is a history to the band, yet we continue to release and perform new material,” says Stanton. “I’m truly excited for our fans and audience to hear this next record we’ve been working on. I think it’s some of our best work yet.”

They laid the groundwork for this future upon coming together in 1994. Two years later, the guys dropped their full-length debut, Coolin’ Off, and hopped in a Ford Econoline van (with trailer in tow) for their very first official tour. Along the way, they released seminal albums such as 2007’s From the Corner to the Block, boasting collabs with the likes of Chali 2na, Juvenile, Trombone Shorty, DJ Z-Trip, and Boots Riley. During 2015, Into The Deep marked their first debut in the Top 25 of the Billboard Top 200 and second straight #1 bow on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart. Not to mention, it boasted the title track “Into The Deep” [feat. Macy Gray], racking up nearly 20 million streams and counting. Along the way, they performed alongside the likes of Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, Jack Johnson, Talib Kweli, the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, B.B. King, Counting Crows, James Brown, and many more. They’ve also recorded and performed with the likes of Allen Toussaint [“Bacchus”] and Big Freedia “Double It”]. Most recently, 2019’s Already Ready Already garnered acclaim from New York Times, NPR Weekend Edition, Exclaim!, and many more, while they’ve appeared on the covers of Downbeat and Relix Magazine.

Around the same time, they welcomed Jelly to the fold after joining forces on stage for a handful of unforgettable performances.

“I was super nervous at first, because I had some pretty big shoes to fill—but like those other singers I had to bring myself and I think I’ve fit in pretty well,” Jelly smiles.

“Jelly came to Fuji Rock in Japan with us to sing background with Macy Gray,” recalls Stanton. “We needed someone to sing one of our Galactic originals, and she stepped up. Since there was no time for rehearsal or soundcheck, she showed up prepared, knew the tune completely, and rocked it. When it came time to find someone new to sing with us, she was our first choice. She has such effortless stage presence and a very comfortable rapport with audiences. She also brings an element of unbridled fun!”

That fun came across loud and clear on the 2020 single “Float.” Uplifted by Jelly’s powerhouse pipes, it hinted at the potential of their collective chemistry.

“I love listening to Galactic’s older records, because they were very funk driven,” Jelly goes on. “Now, it seems like they’re incorporating more pop, rock, and soul to create a newer sound.”

As they continue writing, recording, and performing, Galactic always keep New Orleans close to their hearts at all times. In 2018, the band purchased and took over one of the city’s most hallowed venues—Tipitina’s Nightclub. Their history with the venue even predated the band as Ben’s first job was as a cook in the old kitchen, while they’ve graced its stage more than 100 times over the years.

In the end, Galactic keep moving forward as they add more chapters to their incredible history.

“We’ve just achieved 25 years as a band of brothers, so we know how to work with each other and move ourselves through the next 25 years,” Robert leaves off. “We’re always trying to push ourselves with our songwriting and studio collaborations. I look forward to where the future will take us.”

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by Geoff Anderson
July 6, 2023

Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience Downtown Aspen Aspen, Colorado June 22-24, 2023 Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) has been around as a concept for a few decades now. The format and specific locations have changed over the years, but the basic idea remains the same: go to a beautiful mountain location and dig some great music. Mountains and music are a combination that works. But then, there's the question of the kind of music. ...

347

Live Review

Galactic/Karl Denson's Tiny Universe at Fillmore in Denver

by Geoff Anderson
March 3, 2010

Galactic/Karl Denson's Tiny Universe Fillmore Denver February 20, 2010

The grooves were deep, the rhythms infectious, the funk ubiquitous. Saturday night the Fillmore in Denver served up a double helping of syncopation with Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. The Tiny Universe opened with an hour and twenty minute set of sometimes carefully arranged grooves. Galactic followed with two hours of a more primal and gritty version of the funk.

Galactic has ...

139

Album Review

Galactic: Ruckus

Read "Ruckus" reviewed by Charlie B. Dahan

by Charlie B. Dahan
October 16, 2003

On Galactic’s new recording Ruckus they blend their usual spices of New Orleans funk, jazz and soul with the urban sound and feel of hip-hop music and culture, along with a healthy dose of dance and techno. Galactic has found a niche on the jam-band circuit, which encourages freedom of experimentation, and that is what this outfit has been doing for the past few years. They have dug into the soul of urban music and come up with the sound ...

106

Album Review

Galactic: Nothin' Coolin' Off

by Ed Kopp
August 1, 1999

Galactic is a New Orleans jazz-funk unit that transports us back to the '70s, the decade when jazz-funk was at its zenith. This band owes a great deal to the Meters, the seminal New Orleans funk outfit that was always more popular with the critics than the public. The fact that Galactic is able to emulate the sound of New Orleans' finest funkifiers is itself a worthy achievement. But this group actually extends that sound, bringing in subtle touches of ...

164

Album Review

Galactic: Coolin' Off

by Ed Kopp
September 1, 1998

Galactic is a New Orleans jazz-funk unit that transports us back to the '70s, the decade when jazz-funk was at its zenith. This band owes a great deal to the Meters, the seminal New Orleans funk outfit that was always more popular with critics than the public. The fact that Galactic is able to emulate the sound of New Orleans' finest funkifiers is itself a worthy achievement. But this group actually extends that sound, bringing in subtle touches of jazz ...

Recording

Guitar Virtuoso Andy Timmons Featured On The Debut Release From New Label Psychiatric Records Galactic Tide The Haas Company Vol 1

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
May 29, 2024

The first release from Psychiatric Records by The Haas Company puts the spotlight on Andy Timmons, a dynamic guitar virtuoso who is perhaps best known for his work with the pop-metal band Danger Danger. With drummer Steve Haas propelling the performances and keyboardist Pete Drungle contributing the music, Timmons plays with relentless passion. Joined by Haas, Drungle, Kirwan Brown or Al MacDowell on bass, and saxophonist Pete Gallio, the guitarist is heard at the peak of his powers and his ...
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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: From New Orleans to the cosmos with Galactic

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
March 1, 2020

This week, let's check out some videos featuring the New Orleans funk/jazz band Galactic, who are coming back to St. Louis to perform on Thursday, March 12 at Delmar Hall. Since their last appearance here in March 2018 at The Pageant, Galactic made big news in their hometown by becoming the new owners of Tipitina's, long known as one of New Orleans' top music venues. Though that venture has consumed some of their collective time and attention, they also released ...
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Music Industry

Be Remarkable And Fans Will Come: Essential Advice From Marketing Guru Seth Godin

Source: HypeBot
March 24, 2016

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Performance / Tour

Galactic Returning to Perform Thursday, February 14 at the Pageant

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 27, 2012

The New Orleans funk/jazz band Galactic (pictured) is returning to St. Louis to perform at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 14 at The Pageant. Special guests for the show will be singer Corey Glover of Living Colour, and Latyrx, featuring Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truthspeaker. Galactic last appeared in St. Louis in March of this year at the Pageant, touring in support of their then-new release Carnival Electricos. General admission tickets for the February 14 show at the Pageant are ...
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Performance / Tour

Galactic: New Album and Tour

Source: JamBase
November 30, 2011

NEW ALBUM CARNIVALE ELECTRICOS OUT FEB. 21 Galactic will release their new studio album Carnivale Electricos on February 21. This time around Galactic has collaborated with musicians and performers from all over this hempisphere on what is easily their most ambitious recording yet. Guest artists include Mystikal, Mannie Fresh, Al “Carnival Time" Johnson, Cyril & Ivan Neville, Moyseis Marques and many more. For complete details and pre-order information, go to www.galacticfunk.com/carnivale-electricos. Listen to the first single “Hey Na Na" feat. ...
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Performance / Tour

Galactic Returning to the Pageant on Wednesday, March 14

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 30, 2011

The New Orleans funk/jazz/hip-hop band Galactic (pictured) is returning to St. Louis to perform at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 14 at The Pageant. Los Angeles funk band Orgone will open the show. The gig will be almost a year to the day since Galactic's last appearance here at the same venue, and as with last year's show, they're bringing along some guests—specifically, vocalist Corey Glover of the rock band Living Color and trombonist Corey Henry of the Rebirth Brass Band, ...
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Performance / Tour

Galactic: 2012 Florida Run

Source: JamBase
October 26, 2011

FLORIDA DATES IN JANUARY 2012 WITH COREY GLOVER, COREY HENRY, TOUBAB KREWE, TROMBONE SHORTY AND MORE Galactic's 2012 Florida Run which will find the band tearing through the state bolstered by the vocal prowess of Living Colour's Corey Glover and the trombone virtuosity of Corey Henry. Exclusive presale tickets are available for all shows through Galactic Ticketing starting today! The festivities will kick off with special guests Toubab Krewe for shows in Jacksonville on January 5 and then Orlando on ...
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Music Industry

Galactic | New Orleans | Review | Pics

Source: JamBase
March 12, 2011

By Wesley Hodges Galactic :: 03.05.11 :: Tipitina's Uptown :: New Orleans, LA The chaos has cleared (at least for a day), the trash is (somewhat) picked up, and (some of the beads) have been put away, but the recollections of last Saturday night's Galactic performance still stick out from the otherwise blurry Mardi Gras (Week) Weekend. This year's Mardi Gras was one of the most-well attended and craziest in recent memory, with the pandemonious Bacchus/Endymion double header on Sunday, ...
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115

Performance / Tour

Galactic Podcast Offers Tour of New Orleans

Source: Michael Ricci
April 15, 2010

Band Discusses Favorite Spots In Anticipation Of Festival Performance and Appearance On HOB's “Treme" GALACTIC's latest album Ya-Ka-May offers an exciting and exotic musical journey into a modern day New Orleans as experienced by those who live there. In anticipation of the band's upcoming appearance at the storied New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, GALACTIC are giving friends and fans a personal off the beaten path guide to their beloved hometown of New Orleans. This forty minute long intimate and ...
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Recording

Mardi Gras Rages on With New Galactic Album "Ya-Ka-May"

Source: Michael Ricci
February 22, 2010

The great city of New Orleans is on its way back. The Saints recently won the Super Bowl and people filled the city's historic streets, the euphoric celebration stretching for days into a joyous music fueled Mardi Gras. For those who couldn't make the historic party or just didn't get enough, acclaimed New Orleans band Galactic is bringing the vital new sounds of the Crescent City to Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 4th.

The band has just released their stunning ...
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