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About The Skatalites

The Skatalites need no introduction. 

The 2022 band features pioneers of reggae music Vin Gordon, Val Douglas and Larry McDonald, alongside established and newer members. Each of these incredible musicians bring an individual history and extreme talent that comes together with the love of music and the honour to be representing the originators of Ska.


The talented musicians of today's Skatalites  maintain the traditions of the past and salute those who have gone before. They are forever indebted to the inspiration and talent of: Roland Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Don Drummond, Jerome “Jah Jerry” Haynes, Lloyd Knibb, Tommy McCook, Donat “Jackie” Mittoo, John “Dizzy Johnny” Moore, and Lester Sterling, 

“We hope you enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoy performing it for you” Tommy McCook

THE SKATALITES 2022

DOREEN SCHAFFER

DOREEN SCHAFFER

DOREEN SCHAFFER

Doreen Shaffer is one of Jamaica's finest and most respected singers. She remains the only original Skatalites member and is often rightfully referred to as The Queen of Ska. 

LARRY MCDONALD

DOREEN SCHAFFER

DOREEN SCHAFFER

Larry was a percussionist with Carlos Malcolm's Afro-Jamaican Rhythms, Toots & The Maytals, Count Ossi Group and many more.  He also played with Gil Scott Heron, Lee Scratch Perry, Taj Mahal and with the original Skatalites in the early days.  Larry was honoured in July 2011, at the 14th annual 'Tributes to the Greats' award ceremony in J

Larry was a percussionist with Carlos Malcolm's Afro-Jamaican Rhythms, Toots & The Maytals, Count Ossi Group and many more.  He also played with Gil Scott Heron, Lee Scratch Perry, Taj Mahal and with the original Skatalites in the early days.  Larry was honoured in July 2011, at the 14th annual 'Tributes to the Greats' award ceremony in Jamaica, with a lifetime achievement award for his 50-year contribution to Jamaican music.

VAL DOUGLAS

DOREEN SCHAFFER

VAL DOUGLAS

Val Douglas is the current bassist of The Skatalites, and is also a keyboardist, arranger, composer and producer.  Val has made music with The Abyssinians, Toots & The Maytals, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Bunny Maloney, Peter Tosh, Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, Lloyd Charmers, Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Heptones Ernest Ranglin, N

Val Douglas is the current bassist of The Skatalites, and is also a keyboardist, arranger, composer and producer.  Val has made music with The Abyssinians, Toots & The Maytals, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Bunny Maloney, Peter Tosh, Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, Lloyd Charmers, Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Heptones Ernest Ranglin, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, June Lodge, Marcia Griffiths, Lorna Bennet, Lloyd Charmers, Bob Andy, Pablo Moses and The Congos ... and many more!

VIN GORDON

DOREEN SCHAFFER

VAL DOUGLAS

Vin attended Alpha Boys School, where he learned to play trombone.  He began his career in 1964 with The Skatalites and became the main trombonist of Studio One, recording for all the major producers. In 1978 he was Bob Marley's trombonist and performed on Kaya and Exodus.  Vin rejoined the Skatalites in 2004 until 2008, and is now once again touring with them. 

KEN STEWART

SPARROW THOMPSON

SPARROW THOMPSON

Ken joined the Skatalites in 1988 as a Kyboardist. 

Since then he never left the stage and he continues to keep alive the dream of Lloyd Knibb.

“When I heard the Skatalites, I was like, “Oh my god, this is like Dave Brubeck went reggae!” 

SPARROW THOMPSON

SPARROW THOMPSON

SPARROW THOMPSON

Trevor Sparrow Thompson has been drumming for 52 years.  He was the first drummer from Jamaica to play rocksteady and reggae music outside of Jamaica by playing on a cruise ship in 1969. He backed all the Jamaican singers of that era including Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1970. "In the relay of life Lloyd Knibb has handed me the stick (n

Trevor Sparrow Thompson has been drumming for 52 years.  He was the first drummer from Jamaica to play rocksteady and reggae music outside of Jamaica by playing on a cruise ship in 1969. He backed all the Jamaican singers of that era including Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1970. "In the relay of life Lloyd Knibb has handed me the stick (no pun intended) and with Gods help I hope to take it to the finish line a winner".

NATTY FRENCHY

SPARROW THOMPSON

NATTY FRENCHY

Aurelien Metsch aka Natty Frenchy is a guitarist, artist and producer.   He has performed as a freelance guitar player for legendary reggae artists such as U-roy , Alton Ellis , Sizzla, Sean Paul and more.  Besides his work as a guitarist, he has holds the prestigious lead/Riddim guitar role for the Congos (10 years) and currently for the legendary Skatalites band.

JAMES SMITH

SPARROW THOMPSON

NATTY FRENCHY

James K Smith joined The Skatalites in 2017. Before that he was Burning Spear's trumpet player for many years. 

“Just to speak the melody (play) as it is and as it was and is supposed to be is a big responsibility. To have the chair now I am very honored and flattered”, James says about his experience as a member of The Skatalites. 

1x Gram

James K Smith joined The Skatalites in 2017. Before that he was Burning Spear's trumpet player for many years. 

“Just to speak the melody (play) as it is and as it was and is supposed to be is a big responsibility. To have the chair now I am very honored and flattered”, James says about his experience as a member of The Skatalites. 

1x Grammy Award Winner with Burning Spear, 3x Grammy Award Nominee with Burning Spear, 1x Grammy Award Nominee with Aswad , 2x Grammy Award Nominee with Julian Marley and Damian Marley.

ANANT PRADHAN

ANANT PRADHAN

ANANT PRADHAN

Anant Pradhan is a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer based in New York City.


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