The Skatalites
The Skatalites are living musical legends, founding fathers of the modern Jamaican sound. Four decades ago, the group virtually invented ska, the upbeat dance music that spawned rock steady and reggae, and inspired three waves of British and American ska revivalists. A triumphal 1983 reunion performance at the Reggae Sunsplash Festival eventually inspired the group to reform on a permanent basis in 1986. For nearly 20 years, the modern incarnation of this legendary band has brought classic ska to audiences around the world. Billboard has called the group “Jamaica’s supreme instrumental band,” and Rolling Stone’s description is: “The Skatalites — Jamaica’s answer to the Motown house band and Booker T. and the MG’s combined.”