GALAPAGOS DUCK

Galapagos Duck began in the late 60's while the members were engaged in a winter season at the New South Wales skiing resort,The Kosciusko Chalet at Charlottes Pass in NSW. The initial lineup was Marty Mooney and Tom Hare (reeds), Chris Qua (bass and trumpet), and Des Windsor (piano and organ). After returning to Sydney the band continued to work and became well known in the Australian jazz and music scene during the 70's when it was the house band at the emerging jazz night club 'The Basement' near Circular Quay. Since these humble beginnings the 'Duck' it has been suggested, has become the best-known jazz band in Australia and a household name throughout the country.

The band has worked and continues to work in concert halls, night clubs, at jazz festivals, in the recording studio, and on radio and TV. Although the membership has changed, of necessity, the direction of the band has always remained the same and that is to create a performance experience that while jazz oriented is able to be appreciated and enjoyed by everybody. Based in Sydney Australia the Galapagos Duck was an integral part of the foundation and success of jazz club The Basement. The band performed there continuously for 16 years during which the Basement became known as one of the greatest jazz clubs in Australia and the world. The 'Duck' also toured extensively all throughout Australia visiting the capital cities on many occasions and performing frequently in country areas including the remote areas of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

International performances have included the following festivals: Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Jazz Yatra Festival in Bombay (Mumbai), Musexpo in U.S.A, Manilla Jazz Festival in the Phillipines, Singapore International Jazz Festival, Queenstown Jazz Festival in New Zealand, Norfolk Island Jazz Festival, Lord Howe Island and Vanuatu Jazz Festival. Aside from festivals there have been extremely successful performances in England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. Having always drawn members from the very best of Australian musicians the band has shown its versatility through work with dance including: Superman' with the Australian Ballet, 'Austorizon' with the Australian Dance Theatre (choreographed by Ross Coleman) in Adelaide , A Work for the Comscapes Dance Company Malaysia, performed in Kuala Lumpa that was very successful in raising money for the World Wide Fund For Nature. They supported the Herb Ellis and Barney Kessell tour here in Australia in 1979.

There have been many appearances on TV including the Bi-Centennial TV spectacular and appearances on Hey Hey Its Saturday. The band has also been involved in Film - writing and performing the soundtrack for 'The Removalist' and appearing in the Australian Films 'Rebel' and 'Emerald City'.The band has released thirteen albums to date.

Members

Greg Foster (trombone harmonica), John Conley (bass), Adrian Cunningham (sax/clarinet),

Rodney Ford (drums), Matt Baker (piano), Len Barnard (drums), Tom Hare ((reeds), 

Chris Qua (trumpet), Des Windsor (piano), Willy Qua (drums), Roger Frampton (piano/sax),

Bob Egger (piano), Col Nolan (piano), Ray Alldridge (piano), Doug Robson (piano), 

Richard Booth (sax/flute/clarinet), Marty Mooney (reeds), Paul McNamara (piano), 

Tony Ansell (piano), Glenn Henrich (vibes), John Helman (bass), Will Sargesson (piano), 

Rodney Ford (drums)

SINGLES 
''Self 'Bloody' Control / Carter'' 1974 Philips 
''Tennessee Waltz / Mr. Natural'' 1974 Philips 
''Theme For Cleo / Bandersnatch'' 1975 44 
''This Time / Journey To Birdwood'' 1982 AIM 
''Challenge '87'' 1986 EMI

ALBUMS 
'Ebony Quill' 1974 Philips
'The Removalists (Original Soundtrack)' 1974 Philips
'St James' [featuting Don Burrows] 1976 44 Records 
'Magnum' 1977 44 Records 
'Right On Cue' 1978
'In Flight' 1979 Philips 
'This Time' 1981 AIM 
'The Voyage Of The Beagle' 1983 ABC 
'Endangered Species' 1985 ABC 
'Habitat' 1989 WEA
'Lonely George' 1995 Pintail Productions
'Out Of The Blue' 2006 Pintail Productions
'The Other Side Of The Mirror' 2015 

References

http://galapagosduck.net/pages/aboutUs.html