Skatalites Rock the Vineyard

The Skatalites @ Outerland, Martha's Vineyard (West Tisbury)

July 28

Some 44 years ago, a band out of Kingston, Jamaica was tearing up the dance floor with a fresh sound called ska, a sound that blended jump blues, jazz, calypso, and African rhythms. It was a sound so infectious that the music made you dance; it was physically impossible not to.

This band, the Skatalites, has reconfigured itself over the decades but two original members remain: Doreen Shaffer and Lester "Ska" Sterling. Now nine pieces instead of 11, they still have a sound that makes you jump and clap and feel pure joy. A crowd diverse in age and race bounced around Outerland on the Vineyard this July night, particularly relishing the many talented solos performed throughout the set.

They took the stage around 10:40 and did not waver in their energy for even a moment. After a long day of beachin', cousin Jane and I were quite tired and left around 12:30. But the band still was going strong into the wee hours.