NYC Ska Orchestra
NYC SKA ORCHESTRA is a 20-piece big band that creates and performs lush original compositions and arrangements of songs from the rich, historic, and culturally-iconic Jamaican music styles of ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They blend the exuberant musical layers of the jazz big band era, soul and R&B, with Jamaican roots music; effortlessly flowing into a unique, accessible, joyous and danceable sound that audiences love.
The Orchestra is led by arranger, trumpeter, vocalist and educator Kevin Batchelor; and features 87 year-young celebrated Jamaican percussionist/vocalist Larry MacDonald, and Jamaican master drummer Carl Wright. Together they have recorded and/or performed with nearly every great Jamaican music artist including Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, Skatalites, and Toots & The Maytals; and they regularly work with the leading Jamaican artists today. The orchestra also features singer Pallavi Gummalam and singer/arranger Aida Brandies Hargrove, plus all top-notch pro players from NYC; which combines for a hugely entertaining, danceable, unforgettable show.