Legendary Jamaican band The Skatalites are creating a dance party in Santa Fe tonight. Learn about the group and the history of ska via an interview with the band’s manager (and sometimes keyboard player) here: The Skatalites won’t simmer down.
Although only around for a year and a half in its original 1964 permutation, The Skatalites is an institution. Its musicians formed the backbone of ska, as well as offshoots rocksteady and reggae, and developed many of the playing styles associated with the genres.
The Blue Hornets suit up for a ska-tastic EP release party
By Jessica Cassyle Carr
Formed after a Giant Steps reunion in 2009—and subsequent nostalgic feelings about playing rocksteady and reggae music—The Blue Hornets hasn’t taken long to become a favorite local band. The nine-member supergroup releases “Selekta EP” on Friday at Launchpad. The Alibi’s Jessica Cassyle Carr spoke with Blue Hornets guitarist and vocalist Otto Barthel about Jamaican genres, the mission of the band’s first album and ska’s fourth wave.
