Line up

• Cedric Brooks (Sax)
• Devon James (Guitar)
• Doreen Schaffer (Vocals)
• Ken Stewart (Keyboards)
• Kevin Batchelor (Trumpet)
• Lester Sterling (Sax)
• Lloyd Knibb (Drums)
• Val Douglas (Bass)
• Vin Gordon (Trombone)

• country:
  Jamaica
• style(s):
  Reggae Ska
• label:
  AIM
• type:
  Band
• gender:
  male, female
• instrumentation:
  instrumental, vocal
• artist submitted by:
  La Candela Musikagentur GmbH

The Skatalites were formed in late 1963 and only lasted about 18 months. They broke up in August 1965. Yet during that short time together they were incredibly prolific and managed to literally change the face of Jamaican music. The Skatalites combined Jazz, Calypso, Mento and of course RnB and brought up a totally new rhythmic sound. They called it Ska.

They dominated Jamaicas music scene and played with almost every Jamaican vocalist of this time. They taught the young Bob Marley some of the tricks of the trade and also played as the house band for producer Coxsone Dodds famous Studio One where virtually all of the reggae founding fathers cut their chops. After the Skatalites officially broke up in 1965 everyone went their own way pursuing solo projects.

The official reunion took place nearly 20 years later at the Sunsplash festival 1983 in Montego Bay (Jamaica). Since then the Skatalites work as hard as ever.So far there have been 30 albums released under the Skatalites name. In 95 and 96 the Skatalites were nominated for the Grammy Award in the category Best Reggae Album.

In 2004 the Skatalites celebrated their 40th anniversary with an excessive tour all over the world and let the audience skank and celebrate as hard as ever.

And some things never change. Now the Skatalites are back with their first original material since 2000. The legendary Ska Band from Jamaica recorded their new CD in Australia in 2006. On the Right Track mixes the coastal island vibes of Australia's and Jamaica's hippest towns with a heavy jazz influence. Studio sessions were held in the style of a classic jazz session- much like the one-take upbringing Studio 1 provided The Skatalites in the early days.

CD: 'On The Right Track' 2007 Aim/New Music Distribution

Links

• Homepage Skatalites