THE NYC SKA ORCHESTRA…is a 20-piece big band that creates and performs lush originalcompositions and arrangements of songs from the rich, historic, and culturally-iconic Jamaicanmusic styles of ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz from the 1950s and 60s. They blend theexuberant musical layers of the jazz big band era with Jamaican roots music into a unique,accessible, joyous and danceable sound that audiences love.
NYCSO is led by arranger, trumpeter and educator Kevin Batchelor; and features 85 year-youngcelebrated Jamaican percussionist/vocalist Larry MacDonald, and Jamaican master drummerCarl Wright. Together they have recorded and/or performed with nearly every great Jamaicanmusic artist including Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, Skatalites, andToots & The Maytals; and they regularly work with the leading Jamaican artists today.