The
Skatalites are a
Jamaican music group formed in the
1960's. They are considered to be the pioneers of the popular
ska genre of music (ska is also the 'grandfather' of
reggae, according to
The Skatalites). Ska's most dominating, prominent, and distinctive feature is its
off-beat chords (also heard in reggae). Ska's next most dominant characteristic is its use of horns (usually trumpet/sax/trombone combinations). Ska has evolved since the 60's and progressed into several modern forms:
Traditional ska (emulating the original
jazz-influenced ska of the 60's) (groups like
The Inspector, and
Skavoovie and the Epitones),
Skacore (groups like
Save Ferris, and the
Mighty Mighty Bosstones), Rock/ska (
Let's Go Bowling). Ska re-emerged from
England in the early 1980's when the
two-tone movement started, stressing equality and peace between whites/blacks, along with the
punk movement. This is why some modern punk bands have some very ska-like songs (though far different from their traditional Jamaican ska counterpart).
The Skatalites still exist today, though a few of their original members have passed away. They continue to produce some of the best quality ska/jazz pieces known today, featuring catchy
melodies and awesome
solos in every section:
wind,
guitar,
bass, and
rhythm.
Yahoo! Music Bio:
The Skatalites were formed in
June 1964, drawing from the ranks of session musicians then recording in the
studios of
Kingston, Jamaica. The personnel included
Don Drummond (
trombone),
Roland Alphonso (
tenor saxophone),
Tommy McCook (
tenor saxophone),
Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore (
trumpet),
Lester Sterling (
alto saxophone),
Jerome 'Jah Jerry' Hines (
guitar),
Jackie Mittoo (
piano),
Lloyd Brevett (
bass) and
Lloyd Knibbs (
drums). The band name was a Tommy McCook pun on the
Soviet space
satellite of 1963. The Skatalites' music, reputedly named after the characteristic 'ska' sound made by the
guitar when playing the '
after beat', was a powerful synthesis, combining elements of
R&B and
swing jazz in
arrangements and solos, underpinned by the uniquely Jamaican-stressed 'after beat', as opposed to the '
down beat' of R&B. Many of the musicians had learned music at
Alpha Boys' School in
Kingston, subsequently honing their talent in the Jamaican
swing bands of the
40s and early
50s, and in numerous '
hotel bands' playing for the
tourist trade.