James Galway First Sony Classical Release with Tiempo Libre on September 16

There's only one “Lord of the Flute," Sir James Galway. With countless awards and honors (including induction into The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in June) he has sold more than 30 million records and recorded over 60 CDs. As he approaches his 70th birthday, he is looking, as always, for new and innovative approaches to music and to life.

For his first recording for the Sony Classical label, scheduled for release on September 16, he will record music from the jazz suites of Claude Bolling (originally made famous through the recording of Jean-Pierre Rampal...with an unusual and historical twist.

Collaborating with him on this new recording titled O'Reilly Street is two-time Grammy nominated recording artists Tiempo Libre, originally from Cuba. Tiempo Libre is known for its sizzling timba music, a high-energy combination of Latin jazz and Cuban son, which has even the most reserved of concert hall audiences out of their seats and dancing in the aisles.

Why this union? What's the connection?
A while back, Galway was introduced to Tiempo Libre's music, which he listened to again and again on his iPod.

He was impressed with the arrangements and the sophistication of the sound and, having been looking for his next collaboration, the idea of a project with Tiempo Libre began to take shape.

For many years Galway had wanted to record the Claude Bolling Jazz Suites, but in listening to previous recordings he came to realize that he wanted the works to have a more unique and contemporary sound. Claude Bolling's Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio with Jean-Pierre Rampal, a fusion of Baroque elegance with modern swing was arguably the first classical crossover hit album staying at the top of the hit parade for two years after its release and on the Billboard top 40 for 530 weeks, roughly ten years. Originally scored for flute, piano, drums and acoustic bass, Galway and Tiempo Libre's leader Jorge Gomez (classically trained at La ENA, one of Cuba's premiere classical conservatories) concluded that the addition of Afro Cuban percussion would add a compelling musical dimension to the work. The result is rich in the traditions of multiple genres, authentic yet emotionally seductive, resulting from the crossing of borders between classical, jazz and Cuban music. The 7 tracks chosen from the two Bolling Suites are rounded out on the disc by original material written by Gomez for Galway - and, finally with an Afro-Cuban jazz version of Bach's “Badinerie."

Not only was Galway energized by Tiempo Libre's musicality, but he felt a unique connection to the similarities of the worlds of Cuba and Ireland.

An avid history buff, Galway knew that one of the key battles in the Cuban War of Independence was won by an Irish general - General O'Reilly - and there is a street named after him in Havana Vieja - a bustling, scenic street in the heart of Havana. He also had learned that some of the cities where Tiempo Libre members were born included the Irish amongst their founders. (There are many other historical Irish/Cuban connections he unearthed, not the least of which is Che Guevara's family on his mother's side came from County Galway in Ireland.)

Not only was there a historical connection, but an environmental one. Both Galway and the members of Tiempo Libre shared similar childhoods. As a child growing up in Belfast, Galway had no hot water or indoor plumbing. Tiempo Libre's youth was during the “Special Period" in Cuba, when Russia pulled out its support and there was little to eat but rice and green tomatoes. Both found solace in their music and both say that these early childhood experiences taught them discipline and determination. And both play music with a kind of exuberance and joy that is unique in their fields.

Galway started out studying popular flute (tin whistle), moved into classical and is now considered one of the most successful classical artists of all time. Tiempo Libre's trajectory was the reverse: its members all studied in Cuba's top classical conservatories and moved into popular music performing with jazz and Cuban music greats such as Arturo Sandoval, Albita and Cachao before establishing themselves in the US as the premiere Cuban timba group.

Inspired by these Cuban musicians whose feet are planted in two worlds of classical and timba, Galway saw a supreme mixture of virtuosity, musicianship and an irresistible, joyful style. At a time when boundary crossing albums are often just marketing gimmicks, O'Reilly Street is a true encounter between one of classical music's premiere instrumentalists in collaboration with one of Cuba's most exciting ensembles.

When he's not on tour or recording, Galway offers encouragement, lessons, etc. on his website, www.thegalwaynetwork.com. A huge fan of technology, he recently gave a master class from home in Switzerland via the internet to students in the US. When he is not in concert around the world, Sir James devotes much of his free time supporting charitable organizations such as SOS, FARA, Future Talent, Swiss Artistic Foundation, The Caron Keating Foundation and UNICEF.

Ever youthful in spirit and deed, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England has honored him twice: in 1979 with an Order of the British Empire and in 2001 with a Knighthood for services to music. In 2004, Sir James was given the President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy at the Grammy's 8th Annual “Salute to Classical Music." He has also been honored at the prestigious Classic Brits Awards held in London's Royal Albert Hall in 2005, where he received the coveted “Outstanding Contribution to Classical Music" award in celebration of his 30 years as one of the top Classical Musicians of our time.