The Skatalites

Jamaican Ska Pioneers

The Skatalites are a seminal Jamaican ska band that played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. Formed in 1964, the group consisted of some of the most talented musicians on the island, including Don Drummond on trombone, Tommy McCook on tenor saxophone, and Roland Alphonso on alto saxophone, among others. They were initially brought together as a studio band by producer Coxsone Dodd to record at his famous Studio One. The Skatalites' sound was characterized by a blend of jazz, R&B, and Caribbean rhythms, which laid the foundation for modern ska music.