The Skatalites are the premiere ska band from Jamaica. Officially formed in 1964 after playing in studios together all over Kingston, these musicians came together to perform live shows all over the island. In addition to the live shows,these musicians were the backing band for every vocalist including Bob Marley,Jimmy Cliff,Toots and The Maytals,to name just a few. They are the roots to the tree whose branches include rocksteady,reggae,rap.dub,punk,two-tone,3rd wave,ska-jazz,ska-core and ragga. Now in their 46th anniversary they continue to please crowds while spanning the globe year after year. The members now include: Lester Sterling Lloyd Knibb Doreen Shaffer Azemobo Audu Natty Frenchy Kevin Batchelor Val Douglas Andrae Murchison Cameron Greenlee "The Skatalites: Jamaica's answer to the Motown house band and Booker T. and the MG's combined" - ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE "I first knew the bittersweet theme from "The Guns of Navarone" from a 1961 hit instrumentalâ€"but it was nothing like the Skatalites version that Don Drummond adapted. The melody is the same, of course, but with the blazing horns and heavily pronounced beat, it was totally on fireâ€"and so full of life that remains the hallmark of ska and the Skatalites." -Jim Bessman, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE "I saw the Skatalites at the Palace in Los Angeles in 1989, playing with Bad Manners. I remember how astonishingly tight they were, and how swinging their jazzy ska groove was. I've been an admirer for at least...wow, is it 20 years by now?" -Phil Freeman, GLOBAL RHYTHM MAGAZINE: Managing Editor

 

If you'd like to update the information about this artist or upload some pictures please click the 'edit' link below.

Edit this page