UPDATED: Skatalites heading out on tour

The Skatalites  **Updated** US Tour dates announced SKA, ROCKSTEADY, REGGAE – IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE SKA-TALITES To submit a review or story for consideration hit us at [email protected] Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements. From the video channel of TS-L Imagery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgjaAFNV_c4 It is often hard to pinpoint when a musical genre is created.  Was it Elvis, Chuck Berry or Carl Perkins who invented rock n’ roll?  Does heavy metal begin with the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” Led Zeppelin, or Ozzy?  With ska, and even perhaps reggae, it may be easier to pinpoint.  It all started with the Skatalites. Started in Jamaica over fifty years ago, the Skatalites were the first band to record singles with Bob Marley and Toots Hibbert recorded some of their first singles with the legendary band.  And over the next five decades they have toured nearly every inch of the globe spreading their positive vibe and horn laden sound.  While nearly all of the original members have passed on, many of the current band members have played with the band for decades, like keys man Ken Stewart who has played with the band for almost thirty years.  Others are long time Jamaican veterans like drummer Trevor Sparrow Thompson.  Original Studio One bassist Brian Atkinson will be playing with the band throughout 2017. Founding member Doreen Shaffer still sings with the band. Other members of the band are drawn to the rich legacy that they created and are younger players who are continuing the musical journey into the future.  The band rightfully lays claim to being the originators of rocksteady, reggae, and ska and are the only band playing those styles in their truest form.  They have a lifetime achievement award from the prime minister of Jamaica to prove it! So in addition to the amazing history of the Skatalites, these players represent the total legacy of Jamaican reggae, ska and rocksteady.  And with the younger players, they could very well be representing the future of that music, too. “Their most recent recording Platinum Ska features some tracks with Lloyd Knibb, the original drummer who passed away in 2011 and was widely regarded as the creator of the ska beat as well as the ‘one drop’ rhythm that is the foundation of most reggae music. Also on some tracks is original alto sax man Lester Sterling who is still active but no longer touring regularly with the band. Original vocalist Doreen Shaffer contributes a vocal track on this cd and continues leading the band on it’s path as it continues it’s great legacy bringing joy to fans,old and new, all over the world.” The band is poised to embark on a five-night stretch in August in the Northeast, starting Thursday August 3rd.  Come September there will be a major national tour that will see the band travel from coast to coast.  More dates are to be announced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjDNIo2uR_s SKATALITES US TOUR DATES, with FB event and ticket links:

MEXICO TOUR 10  11   Wed        Echoplex – Dub Club        Los Angeles        CA 10  13   Fri             Ashkenaz            Berkeley              CA 10  14   Sat           SOhO Restaurant and Music Club             Santa Barbara    CA   International Tour Dates:   AUG 11 FRI Nologo Festival Fraisans, France AUG 12 SAT Musicalarue Festival Luxey, France AUG 17 THU Mr Kyps Poole, United Kingdom TICKETS AUG 18 FRI The Watering Hole Perranporth, United Kingdom AUG 19 SAT Great Northern Ska Festival Manchester, United Kingdom AUG 20 SUN The Ferry Glasgow, United Kingdom AUG 21 MON Think Tank Scotswood, United Kingdom AUG 22 TUE Fibbers York, United Kingdom AUG 23 WED The Globe Cardiff, United Kingdom AUG 24 THU The Hairy Dog Derby, United Kingdom AUG 27 SUN The Big Feastival Madness Gentleman’s Dub Club De La Soul Kingham, United Kingdom TICKETS RSVP AUG 28 MON House Of Common Festival London, United Kingdom   To submit a review or story for consideration hit us at [email protected] Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.