Saturday 21 January 2017 2017
Who’s ready for a punky reggae party? David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 an influential American ska and jazz band from New York. Since their formation in the early nineties by bandleader David Hillyard, this bands has played all over the world with a varying cast of musicians. Now Hillyard is back with his posse and ready to swing. David Hillyard is not an unfamiliar face in the American ska scene. This musical omnivore is also part of the famous New York based band The Slackers and has collaborated with many jazz and ska artists. With The Rocksteady 7 you are sure to hear some instrumental roots orientated rocksteady with hints of soul, jazz, latin and reggae. When improvising, this band is at its best: this is when the musical quality of the rotating crew stands out most. For this show Larry McDonald will join in! Percusionist Larry McDonald will celebrate his 80th birthday this year, and has seen it all. The first American radio stations that could reach Jamaica and started to influence their music, the beginnings of studio one, the beginnings of ska, then rocksteady and later the huge success of Reggae music. He has lived to see it all happen and has been a part of the development of Jamaican music for many many years.
He has played with the likes of: Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh, King Tubby, Taj Mahal, The Skatalites, Bunny Wailer, Joe Gibbs, The Slackers etc. etc. A true legend indeed !!!
“Real musical revolutionaries who cut the competition.” – African Beat magazine
“Hillyard can play.” – Jazziz magazine
