Galt MacDermot

Biography

Arthur Terence Galt MacDermot (December 18, 1928 – December 17, 2018) was a Canadian-American composer, pianist, and writer best known for his groundbreaking work in musical theater. Born in Montreal to a Canadian diplomat and teacher, MacDermot was immersed in music from an early age, encouraged by his piano-playing father. He attended Upper Canada College and Bishop’s University, later pursuing formal music studies at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where he developed a deep appreciation for African music and rhythms.

MacDermot’s early career included composing for the satirical Canadian musical 'My Fur Lady' and winning a Grammy for his jazz composition 'African Waltz.' In 1964, he moved to New York, where a pivotal introduction to Gerome Ragni and James Rado led to the creation of 'Hair' (1967), a landmark rock musical that captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture. MacDermot’s genre-blending style drew from jazz, funk, gospel, classical, and African influences, resulting in memorable melodies and rhythms that resonated across generations. He followed 'Hair' with other notable works, including 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' (1971), which won a Tony Award, as well as numerous film scores, ballets, and liturgical pieces.

MacDermot’s legacy extends beyond the stage; his music has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists, attesting to its enduring rhythmic appeal. Revered for his melodic inventiveness and soulful approach, MacDermot left a lasting mark on musical theater and popular music, influencing artists across genres and decades.

Fun Facts

• MacDermot won his first Grammy for 'African Waltz,' a jazz composition made famous by Cannonball Adderley.
• He was inspired by jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, which led him to teach himself boogie-woogie piano as a youth.
• His music for 'Hair' produced three number-one singles in 1969: 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,' 'Good Morning Starshine,' and 'Hair.'
• MacDermot's work has found new life in hip-hop, with his tracks sampled by artists such as Busta Rhymes and Run DMC decades after their original release.

Associated Acts

• New Pulse Jazz Band

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Terence MacDermot - Galt's father, a pianist, encouraged his early musical experimentation and love of jazz. (N/A) [1930s–1940s]
• Faculty at University of Cape Town - Provided formal training in music and exposure to African musical traditions. (N/A) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Gerome Ragni - Co-writer of 'Hair'; MacDermot composed music to Ragni's lyrics and book. (Hair) [1967–1968]
• James Rado - Co-writer of 'Hair'; collaborated closely on the musical's creation. (Hair) [1967–1968]
• Timothy Porteous - Collaborated on the Canadian musical 'My Fur Lady.' (My Fur Lady) [1957]
• Allan Nicholls - Performer in MacDermot's musicals and religious works. (Hair, Dude, Mass in F, Take This Bread) [1969–1973]
• New Pulse Jazz Band - MacDermot's ensemble for performing his original jazz and theater music. (Various jazz and theater performances) [1979–2018]

Artists Influenced

• Busta Rhymes - Sampled MacDermot's music in hit songs, notably 'Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check.' (Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check) [1996]
• Run DMC - Sampled MacDermot's compositions in their Grammy-winning work. (Down With The King) [1993]
• Numerous hip-hop artists - MacDermot's funk and jazz compositions have been widely sampled in hip-hop. (Various) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Coffee Cold (Shapes of Rhythm/Woman Is Sweeter)
2. Let The Sunshine In (Up From The Basement - Unreleased Tracks - Volumes 1 & 2)
3. Aquarius (Hair)
4. Duffer in F (Version 2) (Up From The Basement - Unreleased Tracks - Volumes 1 & 2)
5. Ripped Open By Metal Explosions (Up From The Basement - Unreleased Tracks - Volumes 1 & 2)
6. The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) (Hair)
7. Hair (Hair)
8. I Got Life (Hair)
9. Coffee Cold (Live at the St. George Theatre)
10. Good Morning Starshine (Hair)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz