The Galaxy Trio

The critics say:
Fifty Plus Magazine:
"Not too many CDs in the past year or so have given me as much pleasure as the one by the Galaxy Trio... It's a hip and happy marriage between jazz freedom and classical discipline... These three gifted musicians perform with ease, authority and invention... 

The CD notes suggest a parallel with the team of Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli, but I think these two violinists achieve a synergy that surpasses the work of those two mis-matched giants. And, not surprisingly, Senensky's piano work is breathtakingly beautiful."
- Alex Barris

The Toronto Star:
"Classical violinist Moshe Hammer joins mainstream fiddler Lenny Solomon and jazz pianist Bernie Senensky for a debut disc of 12 ear-pleasing pieces that cover broad swaths of musical territory without ever sounding out of place.

The secret, apart from the artists' technical excellence, is in the choice of material, which varies from such jazz originals as Senensky's "Father Fugue" and "All The Way Over," to a tango, a rag, great standards ("Lullaby Of Birdland," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square"), an extract from the opera Lakme (which crops up in a current airline commercial), "Matchmaker" from the musical theatre and pieces with complex signatures. Solo splendours match ensemble enterprise in a crossover session of broad appeal." - Geoff Chapman

The Windsor Star:
"The Galaxy Trio, a collaboration by veterans of Canada's jazz and classical circles, is cause for celebration. Lenny Solomon on violin and Bernie Senensky on piano have been fixtures in the Toronto music community since as early as the 1960s. And Moshe Hammer, the violin virtuoso, is well-known to audiences across Canada -- he twice performed in Windsor last season.

Here, the three get a workout in a program of light classics, salon music, new compositions and standards.
Solomon brings his work with the classical group, Quintessence, to the table. But it's the swinging style of a Grappelli or a Joe Venuti that he displays on this recording, particularly in a middle section of jazzy numbers that includes A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and George Shearing's Lullaby of Birdland.
Lullaby of Birdland is a standout track, with the trio augmented to a quintet by drummer Brian Leonard and bassist Scott Alexander.

Senensky, one of Canada's most assured jazz stylists, offers many sides of his talent, from a Bill Evans-like interpreter in Matchmaker and Lullaby of Birdland, to accompanist in Nightingale and composer in the opening track, Father Fugue.

Hammer's experience in a variety of violin styles helped in the tango by Shelly Berger and Jack Geldbloom, Tango Ladino, in the adaptation of a Delibes aria from Lakme, and particularly in Bill Bridges' inventive, lovely Celtic Suite, which closes the album.

The Galaxy Trio offers something for every palate, prepared by musicians of the highest order and garnished by Michael Banton-Jones' precision engineering." - Ted Shaw, Windsor Star - February 18, 1999

Fans of The Galaxy Trio say:
"They produce sounds from wonderful arrangements that have given me profound memories and joy."
- Oscar D, San Luis Obispo CA

"A fabulous combo of great musicians. A great sense of fun."
- Marguerite F, Fenelon Falls ON

"We recently received this as a gift. It is one of the best in recording sound and content. It’s our favourite!"
– Ruth S, Milton ON

"I like it for it’s warm and intimate atmosphere and more over I feel the dedication of excellence."
– Cecile B, Chicoutimi QC

"We love its clarity – We love the Galaxy Trio!! What else do you have?"
– Martha W, Huntsville ON

"Quite outstanding - We had this fine trio at our Capitol Theatre this week. A great evening."
- Charles F, Riverview NB

"Outstanding group of artists."
- Jerry S, Lompoc CA

"We love this recording! We bought it when the Trio performed in Temple Texas."
- Dr. Henry L, Killeen TX

"Superb entertainment. Beautifully performed."
- CWR, Centralia WA

"A wonderful album." - Cheryl S, Aurora, ON

"Phenomenal. I really enjoyed it!!"
- Ruth I, Toronto ON

"I’ve just heard them live in concert and they’re fantastic. Jazzed up classical that’s fun to hear."
- Chris S, Halifax NS