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.

NYC SKA ORCHESTRA is led by arranger, trumpeter, singer 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 singers 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.

Band Members

NYC Ska Orchestra is powered by a passionate team of talented musicians, each bringing unique energy and expertise to create an unforgettable sound experience.

Kevin Batchelor (leader, trumpet and vocals)

Kevin has toured and recorded for three decades with artists including Sting, Shaggy, Steel Pulse, Skatalites, Marcus Miller, Jimmy Cliff, Maxwell, Rihanna, and Keith Richards.

Larry McDonald (vocals, congas and percussion)

Larry in a career spanning over 60 years, has recorded and/or performed with nearly every great Jamaican music group and more including Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, Manu Dibango, Skatalites, Gil-Scott Heron, Toots & The Maytals, Count Ossie, Sly Dunbar, Monty Alexander, Ernest Ranglin, Clancy Eccles,

Carl Wright (drums)

Carl is a sought-after drummer and producer in the world of reggae and dance hall and has performed, toured and recorded with Sting, Shaggy, Monty Alexander, Martha Reeves, Machel Montano, Burning Spear, Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt, Sugar Minot and many others.

Pallavi Gummalam (singer)

Pallavi Gummalam (singer) is a sought-after singer and producer in the world of reggae and dance hall and has performed, toured and recorded with Sting, Shaggy, Monty Alexander, Martha Reeves, Machel Montano, Burning Spear, Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt, Sugar Minot and many others.

Aida Brandies-Hargrove (singer/arranger)

Aida Brandies-Hargrove (singer/arranger) started her professional career as a teenager working as a singer and dancer for artists from across different genres like RnB singer Joe, David Hasselhoff and Menudo’s Angelo Garcia and performing for companies like Reebok and Fila. At 19 she was signed to major recording studio in

Paul Nowinski (bass)

Paul won a Grammy for his work with Keith Richards, and has been nominated for five other Grammys. He has performed with Tony Bennett, George Benson, Steve Miller, Jeff Beck, John Mellencamp, Aerosmith, Teddy Edwards, Pat Martino, Paquito D’Rivera, Ricki Lee Jones, Patti Smith, Joe Jackson, Amanda Palmer, and many

Nick Balaban (keyboards)

Nick is a singer, songwriter and performer well- versed in jazz, blues, reggae and ska, funk, pop, rock, R&B and soul who has recorded and/or performed with Ray Charles, Patti LaBelle, Macy Gray, The Persuasions, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Toni Braxton, Randy Travis, David Murray, John Boutté, India.Arie,

Jonny Meyers (guitar)

Jonny leads his own quintet, plays in Kevin Batchelor’s Jamaican R&B duo Kevin & Jonny, and is a guest lecturer on Jamaican music at Vassar College. He has toured widely with the Stingers, backing Jamaican ska legends Laurel Aitken and Doreen Shaffer.

James K (trumpet)

James K. won a Grammy with Burning Spear and garnered Grammy nominations with Aswad, Kymani Marley, and Stephen Marley. He has played with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, the New York Big Band, Charli Persip, the Ray Abrams Orchestra, Johnnie Taylor, Billy Paul, Toni Menage’s Project Orange, CCB Reggae All-Stars, and

Josh Levinson (trumpet)

Josh studied jazz with John Lewis and has performed with Ron Carter, Gil Evans, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, and Freddie Hubbard. Josh has amassed over 100 compositions arranged for his jazz septet, which he leads and performs with in and around New York City. He has four CD’s under his

Matt Ragsdale (trumpet)

Matt has had a highly eclectic career, performing many different styles of music. He’s currently working with his small jazz trio, City Line, in addition to Prometheus Brass, New York Brass Choir and Mid-Life Tom and the Crisis. In the past he has performed with the Four Tops, Temptations, Duprees

Greg Lapine (alto saxophone)

Greg is a founding member of ska revival group Mephiskapheles which formed in the East Village in 1990, and built a large following through relentless touring. Since then Greg has recorded and performed with a wide array of artists across genres.

Matt Knoegle (alto saxophone)

Matt has performed with numerous artists across genres including Jazz, Rock, Pop, Funk, Hip Hop, Avant Garde and more. Matt has performed at venues across the U.S. including Microsoft Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smalls Jazz Club, and Staples Center. He has contributed to numerous recorded works as a woodwind

Tony Orbach (tenor saxophone)

Tony has performed and recorded with rock, ska, reggae, funk, R&B, and hip-hop artists including Common, Angie Stone, Beastie Boys, Fleshtones, the Toasters, David Yazbek, and Bob Dylan. A native New Yorker, Tony was a longtime member of award-winning NYC funk/rock/ska pioneers Urban Blight.

Nigel Innis (tenor saxophone)

Nigel has shared the stage with many legendary musicians from in a bide array of genres including jazz greats Jimmy Heath, Charlie Persip, Warren Smith, and Alvin Atkinson; gospel artist Donny McClurkin; reggae artists Taurus Riley, Lester Sterling and Dean Fraser; and many others.

Paul Vercesi (baritone sax)

Paul has recorded with Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Lisa Stansfield, Fleshtones, the Toasters, and David Yazbek. He is a founding member of Urban Blight, has performed with Queen Latifah, Beastie Boys, Dog Eat Dog, Big Mountain, and Brian D’Arcy James, and is an original cast member of the

John Speck (trombone)

John is a seasoned and versatile recording and performing trombonist who has worked with legendary Jazz, Funk, Jamaican, Afro Cuban and Afro Puerto Rican musicians for over 20 years including Ricky Martin, Jazon Mraz and Kelly Clarkson. Speck has extensive performance history in Japan, Australia, Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico,

J. Walter Hawkes (trombone)

J. Walter has recorded and/or performed with Norah Jones, Elvis Costello, John Lithgow, The Four Tops/Temptations, Madeleine Peyroux, Slide Hampton and many more. He has also composed for many TV Shows and films, including Blue’s Clues, Wonder Pets, Third & Bird, Bubble Guppies, and is music director/lead composer for Peg

Buford O’Sullivan (trombone)

Buford has performed and/or recorded with Skatalites, the Scofflaws, the Toasters, Easy Star All-Stars, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Lee Scratch Perry, Gov’t Mule, the Impressions, Sinead O’Connor, and The Roots. He plays on Pharrell’s song “Brand New” featuring Justin Timberlake, and his compositions have appeared on HBO and Turner Movie Classics.

Dan Fusco (trombone)

Dan has been on the music scene for over 25 years. He has performed in Puerto Rico, Canada, South America, and Europe as a musician. While in NYC, he played in many big bands, salsa bands, and small jazz quartets. Dan has been on stage with Peter Erskin, John Fedchock,

Upcoming Shows & Events

Catch NYC Ska Orchestra live at their upcoming performances! From legendary venues like Joe’s Pub to vibrant music festivals, each show promises an electrifying atmosphere filled with high-energy brass, powerful rhythms, and soulful vocals. Secure your tickets early to witness the band’s dynamic stage presence and unforgettable musical experience. Don’t miss your chance to dance, groove, and immerse yourself in the magic of ska and reggae!