SEEKING
Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Keyboard.ABOUT
The Kingston Ska Orchestra are Kingston-upon-Hull’s sole proponents of 60s-style ska, bluebeat and rock steady. The band’s full-on, horn-heavy, harmony-laden sound pays loving tribute to the sounds of Jamaican originators such as The Skatalites, with a 21st century twist. A hit with all types of audiences—from diehard ska true believers, to those who have never even heard of ska—the band fill dance floors up and down the UK wherever they play.
The band were formed in mid-2012, the first sparks of the idea following band members Dave Foy (alto sax) and Paul Scrivener (vocals and guitar) having been blown away by a couple of Skatalites shows earlier that year. At the same time, Chris Murphy (baritone sax) had also been mulling over the idea of forming a band playing traditional big band ska, in contrast to the 2 Tone style he and Paul currently played in The Spectre. The idea was floated, enthusiasm was in abundance: The Kingston Ska Orchestra was born.
Filling the ranks of the KSO are Danny Barley on trombone, expertly summoning the true ska spirit of classic ska trombonists Don Drummond and Rico Rodriguez; Mel Geddes on trumpet, whose jazz-infused tasteful ‘noodling’ takes the band to another level; Ian Miller on bass, master of the dance-floor filling groove; and Dave Robertson, whose ability to kick out an effortless ska backbeat belies his tender 18 years of age.
Recently The Kingston Ska Orchestra have been heavily involved in the ‘March of the Mods’ project which is a series of charity events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. The band have played many of the MOTM live events and also recorded three songs for the MOTM DVD at Epic TV Studios in Norwich.
In 2014, the band are hugely privileged to be involved in The Specialized project, recording a Madness song as part of The Specialized 3 ‘Mad Not Cancer’ CD. In September of 2014 they will appear live at the Hull leg of Specialized along with a top line up of the country’s Ska bands.
- Screen name:
- Scriv7
- Member since:
- Jan 30 2011
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Committed
- Years together:
- 2
- Gigs played:
- 10 to 50
- Tend to practice:
- 1 time per week
- Available to gig:
- 1 night a week
- Age:
- 59 years
Influences
The Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster.
Members Of Band
Paul: Guitar Vocals
Ian: Bass Vocals
Dave: Sax & Vocals
Chris: Sax & Vocals
Danny: Trombone
Mel: Trumpet
Drums.. Too Many
