THE SKATALITES CELEBRATE 48TH YEAR
WITH NEW SINGLE, NEW ALBUM AND A US/CANADA TOUR
HEADLINING THE ECHOES OF KINGSTON TOUR
“Jamaica’s answer to the Motown house band and Booker T. and the MG’s combined” – ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE
The Skatalites have lead the world on a journey like no other and have traveled more roads than most artists ever will. 2012 marks their 48th(!) year and, while some of the band’s founding members have passed onto the great stage in the sky, they continue to bring the spirit, style, and music of Jamaica to people around the world. This year promises a revitalization of the band with a new tour, a new single, a new album and a determination to pave a new path into parts unknown – all roads lead to The Skatalites.
The Skatalites kick off the year with a round of dates in February around the Northeast including stops in Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Vermont. This is just the primer for a larger world tour touching various continents throughout the year.
The band will then headline the Echoes of Kingston tour in April. The tour will begin in Texas, before heading to NM, Colorado , Arizona, Oregan, California, Washington and then Canada. The tour, now in its second year, has a one goal: to provide a stage where vintage artists of yesteryear can mingle and perform with the blossoming talents of today, sharing a common love of Jamaica’s infectious rhythms. Joining the band on some of the tour will be Los Angeles’ leading proponents of ska & reggae, The Delirians. The band has been forging a sound rooted in the past, yet distinctly their own. The Delirians haved backed and performed with legends such as Derrick Morgan, The Melodians, Derrick Harriot, Stranger Cole and more.
As the tour kicks off, The Skatalites will release a 2-song single from their upcoming album “All Roads.” The single will be available digitally and as a limited edition 7” vinyl (exclusively available on the tour.) The collection features the newest lineup of the band, and several tracks featuring legendary foundation drummer Lloyd Knibb, who passed away before the sessions were completed. Along with founding members Lester Sterling and Doreen Shaffer, The Skatalites continue as torchbearers of Jamaica’s signature sounds – ska, rocksteady, and reggae – and promise to take audiences of all ages on a musical journey around the world.
Visit www.echoesofkingston.com for more info on the upcoming tour.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the family of Lloyd Brevett and his family as they deal with the loss of his son Okeene Brevett just hours after collecting an award on behalf the Skatalites at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Awards held Saturday night. Okeene Brevett was shot dead in his home community of Seaview Gardens in St. Andrew early Sunday morning.
