Ska Cubano
are a London-based group who combine ska and Cuban music such as mambo, with elements of other genres including cumbia and calypso.
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SKA CUBANO TICKETS
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History
The group was put together by
investment banker Peter A. Scott, who in his own words "decided to create an alternative history in which Cuban ska had emerged".
[1] [2] He travelled to Cuba with Top Cats singer Natty Bo (Nathan Lerner) in 2001, and there they rehearsed and recorded the
Ska Cubano
album over a two-year period with local musicians including singer Beny Billy (Juan Manuel Villy Carbonell), Oscar Calle, and Locho Bermúdez. On their return to London, Scott and Lerner decided to go for a less Cuban sound and formed a more-permanent line-up using UK-based musicians, including Rey Crespo (
double bass), Jesús Cutiño (
tres), Oreste Noda (congas), Dr Sleepy (Reuben White, drums), and Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton (trumpet), with Beny Billy commuting from
Santiago for recordings and performances. The new line-up recorded the second album,
¡Ay Caramba!
, which was nominated for a
BBC World Music Award in the "Culture Crossing" category.
[3] The album was described as "imaginatively crafted, brimming with melody, wit and a joyous fusion of rhythms, this album’s about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on".
Ska Cubano have performed at major festivals including
Glastonbury,
Big Day Out, and
WOMAD, and toured internationally.
Band members
- Natty Bo (Nathan Lerner) - vocals
- Beny Billy (Juan Manuel Villy Carbonell) - vocals
- Megumi Mesaku - saxophone
- Rey Crespo - double bass
- Jesús Cutiño - tres
- Oresta Noda - congas
- Dr. Sleepy (Reuben White) - drums
- Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton - trumpet
Discography
- Ska Cubano
(2003), Victor - reissued (2004), Absolute
- ¡Ay Caramba!
(2005), Casinosounds
- Ajiaco! (the remix album)
, (2008) Casinosounds/Universal Portugal
Notes
- Scott
- Meadley
- Cartwright
- NPR Music
References
- Scott
- Meadley
- Cartwright
- NPR Music