Galliano is one of the defining bands of the London scene from which acid jazz emerged in the late 1980s—though that label has always been too narrow for their music. With Galliano, jazz, soul, and funk meet hip-hop, dub, spoken word, and club culture: music for dancing, but also music with an attitude.

Today, the group is centered around Rob Gallagher and Valerie Étienne. Gallagher—singer, poet, DJ, and musical free spirit—blends music with fashion, art, literature, and life both on and off the dance floor. Galliano emerged from London’s underground and warehouse scene and became the first act on Gilles Peterson’s legendary label, Talkin’ Loud. With albums like *In Pursuit of the 13th Note*, *A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator*, and *The Plot Thickens*, they developed their unmistakable sound in the 1990s and became one of the most influential British acts at the intersection of jazz and club culture.

Valerie Étienne began contributing her distinctive soul voice to Galliano’s sound as early as the 1990s, and today, more than ever, she is a central figure in the band. Even outside of Galliano, she remains closely connected to the British soul, jazz, and club scenes. She has collaborated with Jamiroquai, among others, and can be heard singing on the albums *Rock Dust Light Star* and *Automaton*. Her warm yet powerful voice provides a melodic counterpoint to Gallagher’s spoken word and contributes significantly to the distinctive energy of Galliano’s music.

After nearly three decades, Galliano returned in 2024 with *Halfway Somewhere* on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings. Galliano consistently built upon their musical vision—the energy of early London club culture met the open, global jazz scene of the present.

Today, Galliano consists of Rob Gallagher and Valerie Étienne on vocals, Ernie McKone on bass, Ski Oakenfull on keyboards and electronics, and Crispin Taylor on drums—musicians who are not only central to the band’s history but are also continuing to evolve Galliano in the here and now.

In March 2027—just in time for their upcoming tour—Galliano will release their new album on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings. (Press release)

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