Ska, rocksteady, reggae... It all started with The Skatalites. Join us for an evening of groove and good humour that will transport you to the sun-drenched rhythms of Jamaica! Photo of The Skatalites
In 1964, The Skatalites merged to form the most influential band in Jamaican history, marking the beginning of ska, rocksteady and reggae. They collaborated with legends such as Bob Marley and Toots and The Maytals, and their successes influenced the revolutionary 2Tone movement. Their impact spread to the United States, where they inspired the 'Third Wave' of ska. Bands like No Doubt and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have also drawn on their sound. Their influence transcends musical boundaries, hailed by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder. Indeed, ska, rocksteady, reggae, hip-hop and other genres can all trace their roots back to them. Jamaica, despite its size, has had a huge influence on popular music thanks to the pioneering work of the Skatalites. As they celebrate 60 years of groundbreaking recordings, their legacy lives on, inviting listeners to celebrate with them.
A handful of live appearances this year, opening for the legendary Skatalites, was enough to generate instant enthusiasm, and the Woman album is the answer: Jahzz isn't just a good idea on paper, it's also, and perhaps above all, a formidable team when it gets going, when the rhythm section sets the scene and leaves you breathless, when the brass section grabs you and sends shivers down your spine, and finally when the singers' voices, each in their own register and so complementary, finish the job.
Jahzz's range? Jamaican jazz - hence the name of the group. The expression, beyond its historical reality, designates a movement that gives pride of place to instruments, particularly brass, drawing its inspiration from Jamaican music and sung by vintage vocals.
Why does the formula work? Because the instrumentalists and singers of Jahzz put themselves collectively at the service of a cause that transcends them and their individuality: that of Jamaican jazz. Their intentions, devoid of any other consideration, can be heard on the album as much as they can be seen in concert. It's all about the pleasure of playing together. An infectious pleasure.
