How can a band without most of its original lineup continue to go on?
The Skatalites’ beautiful instrumental music preceded and influenced reggae when the band formed in 1964, but that was nearly 60 years ago. In 2023, only singer Doreen Shaffer is alive and performs with the band. For percussionist Larry McDonald, the way the Skatalites have continued as a legacy band follows an honorable musical tradition no one thinks twice about in the world of jazz or classical music.
“I think of it how you have the Duke Ellington and Count Basie…
