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The Skatalites in Bristol

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The Skatalites in Bristol

The Skatalites in Bristol

By Rob Lovell on Monday, June 18, 2012 - Photos by Andrew Thompson - Comment

Check these photos of the ska band in UK.

The current line-up of legendary ska band The Skatalites performed live in Bristol on May 16th at the Trinity Centre, Lawrence Hill with support from Resonators.

The pioneering ska group are out on the road celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence and their own 48th anniversary of being a band.

Saxophonist Lester Sterling, now the only original member of the band, alongside Doreen Shaffer who sang with the band in the early days, heads up the band that is currently on tour.

The full line-up includes:

Lester Sterling – alto saxophone (original member)
Doreen Shaffer – vocals (original singer)
Azemobo "Zem" Audu – tenor saxophone
Andrae Murchison – trombone
Kevin Batchelor – trumpet
Val Douglas – bass guitar
Natty Frenchy – guitar
Cameron Greenlee – keyboards
Trevor "Sparrow" Thompson – drums

Earlier this month Skatalites founding member and bass player Lloyd Brevett died in Jamaica aged 80 after suffering a series of seizures.

In the Jamaica Observer former Prime Minister PJ Patterson said: "While the magical horn section of the Skatalites drew most of the interest and crowds — and Lloyd Knibb, with his innovative drumming was a magnet — it was Lloyd Brevett who quietly provided the mesmerizing backbone to the Skatalites sound.
Brevett... was always self-effacing, but confident and assured. His fingers danced on the double bass at a furious tempo as he locked in with Knibb to create the hypnotic beat that would become ska."

Check out the photos of the show.