“Ben Gallina explodes onto the scene: Bass Warrior! No one does not know him. He wanders from place to place seeking audiences worthy of his "Six Differences" style! You cannot defeat him! His dojo is supreme! He does not fear the shogun but the shogun fears him! His brain is infected by devils! When Ben plays the bass the foundation panics! He can make you do a panic dance with one note! If he unleashed his full powers the world would explode! Do not look directly into the bass when he plays or you will go blind and be infected by devils!"
-Saburo Taiso, 2007
Bassist and composer Ben Gallina has been living in New York since August 2004, pursuing activities as a performer, teacher and composer. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, he studied with Fred Stone, the late Dennis Monroe, and Ralph Ortiz, and later received his Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music under the direction of Jeff Campbell. Since moving, Ben has continued his education through the incomparable experience of living in this remarkable city. He has carved out a niche for himself performing regularly with a variety of ensembles including rock group Big Swifty, improv music and theatre ensemble FACE, Japanese folk/pop ensemble happyfunsmile, singer-songwriter Matt Kanelos, and has led his own group Electric Medicine. As a free-lance bassist he has performed with jazz-soul-rock singer Dean Bowman, saxophonist-bandleader Jeff Lederer, and several orchestras including Astoria Symphony, New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, and New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble. He is also a member of Outwood, a collective of musicians in upper Manhattan looking to bring new music up north. Equally at home on the double bass and electric bass, Ben is open to playing all varieties of music, from all times and all parts of the world. He also believes in the transformative power of meditation and insight to lessen the suffering of the planet and heal the conflicts of the world.
