WST SKA ORCHESTRA2015

WST SKA ORCHESTRAA NEW BRAND OF SKA.

By infusing elements of jazz, particularly bigband jazz, into the contemporary musicalmix, this group of Jamaican jazz gunslingers
is rebranding the music of yesteryear andpropelling it into the future.

In 2012, this unprecedented project both insize and pedigree got international attention
well before anyone outside its inner circle heard
even a single note. The ska world knew something magical was brewing on the west coastof the U.S.: an amalgamation of forces this music had never seen before, forming theworld’s premier ska supergroup.
The ska orchestra was also augmented by internationally acclaimed jazz artists to roundout the group setting a new bar soaring new heights within the genre. This project oﬀeredand continues to oﬀer listeners of jazz, world music, Latin, and Jamaican music everything
they are looking for- organic, danceable, & exciting music. WST is grounded in all of thestyles they incorporate into their music: the rhythm section is of the highest caliber in
replicating the original Jamaican roots sound as well as Latin rhythms while the horn
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WST SKA ORCHESTRA

2015

players are top level, seasoned jazz “beasts” as they
are called in the scene.
Fast forward to today, three years after they madetheir first public announcement to record an album
commemorating 25 years of West Coast ska and 50
years of Jamaican ska, they have announced therecording of their new album. Their sophomore
release brings out a rougher and tougher side to thisgroup. It digs deeper into more obscure and heavier
cuts from the golden era of ska- the early 1960’s.
With musicians like Wayne Bergeron, AndyMartin, Danny Janklow, Adam Schroeder, MichaelStever, Sean Billings and others from LA’s elite bigbands: The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Gordon
Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Bob Mintzer Big Band, andthe Brian Setzer“They swing likeOrchestra thisgroup isBasie, generateunquestionably“Their sophomore
excitement likerelease brings out alegitimized from the jazz side. Theand tougher
Woody Herman, and rhythm section comprised of world- rougherside to this group. It
renowned musicians like Joeydigs deeper into theduplicate themore obscure andAltruda, Korey “Kingston” Hornprecision andheavier cuts from the(Aggrolites), Scott Abels (Jimmygolden era of ska- theemotional impact of Cliﬀ, Hepcat), Brian Dixon
early 1960’s…”(Aggrolites), Fredo Ortiz (Yeska,Duke Ellington,Beastie Boys) give WST Ska
when delivering the Orchestra it’s flawless “old school” traditional Jamaican
epitome of the SKA roots sound.
Another defining element in this second recording isstyle..”the variety of well-known vocalists from the ska world-PAUL MAZZACANO- JAZZ HISTORIAN
featured on it. Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Vic Ruggiero(The Slackers), Chris Murray, Colin Giles, The Expanders, Greg Lee and Alex Désert
(Hepcat) all play a central role in the sound of this album.
This is an exciting time for this unique and groundbreaking orchestra who have
performed on national television, enjoying international radio airplay, headlining jazzfestivals, playing Opera houses, and performing huge outdoor concert series. WST’s
upcoming album is sure to make waves on all continents. Stay tuned.

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