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BioThe Skatalites are the seminal Ska band from Jamaica which originated in 1964. As studio musicians who backed the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and The Maytals, Prince Buster, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, and just about every vocalist in Jamaica in the early 60’s, the band was formed to perform live so these musicians could become recognized for their contributions to Jamaican popular music. They performed everywhere they could on the island and recorded with every available producer on the island only to disband in 1965. In 1966, The Skatalites music climbed the charts in the UK with their rendition of the movie theme “The Guns of Navarone”. Ska began to evolve into Rock-Steady and ultimately Reggae and The Skatalites had created the roots to the tree which has branched into Dub, Lover’s Rock, Two-Tone, Ska-Punk, and Ska-Jazz. Members of The Skatalites remained on the scene throughout this evolution in groups like Tommy McCook and The Supersonics, The Soul Vendors, and Sound Dimension and recorded with producers like Bunny Lee and Lee “Scratch” Perry. In 1983, The Skatalites reunited to stake their claim to the music which had become so popular through the emergence bands like The Police, The Clash, The Specials and The English Beat. Subsequently the members came to the USA where they began touring worldwide and spawned what is now known as the “third wave” of Ska. In 2012 they continue to tour the world playing for the biggest and best festivals as well as small and intimate club settings. Although time has seen the passing of most of the original members, the band still consists of the finest musicians in their genre and, from the first note to the last, continues to stir their audiences into an elated dancing frenzy.
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Career Highlights1964- The Skatalites form after playing together on sessions for years to perform as live group and begin toruing Jamaica
1983 – The Skatalites reuntie after 18 years and play at Jamaica’s Sunsplash alongside The Police amonst many others.
1995- The Skatalites get their first GRAMMY nomination for Hi-Bop Ska on Shanackie Records
1996- The Skatalites receive theie second GRAMMY nomination for Ball of Fire on Island Records
2003- The Skatalites play at Glastonbury Festival and are subsequently asked to be in the Glastonbury film
2004- The Skatalites contribute a track forthe GRAMMY-winning Toots and The Maytalls’ True Love album
2006- The Skatalites play for Princess Stephanie of Monaco at La Bal de la Rose.
2007- The Skatalites contribute a track to Going Home-Fats Domino tribute cd to raise funds for musicians efeected by Hurrican Katrina
2011- The Skatalites play at Montreux Jazz Festival
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