THE SKATALITES 2023
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 Stewart began playing with The Skatalites in February 1988 and his first show was when the band backed Owen Grey in Trenton, New Jersey in April 1988. Over the next few months he became frustrated with the lack of recognition and respect for the band by promoters and prospective fans and he helped stimulate the first tour of the USA a
Ken Stewart began playing with The Skatalites in February 1988 and his first show was when the band backed Owen Grey in Trenton, New Jersey in April 1988. Over the next few months he became frustrated with the lack of recognition and respect for the band by promoters and prospective fans and he helped stimulate the first tour of the USA as support band for Bunny Wailer's Liberation Tour in 1989. Subsequently he organized the band's first headline tour and in January 1990 they embarked on a 25 city tour from the East Coast to the West. Shortly afterwards Ken left the band to pursue many other projects but returned in late 1998 as keyboard player and in 2000 he became the official manager. He has remained in that position ever since.
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.