New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble
By Charlotte Stace
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble are one of the key bands behind the ska-jazz sound. They take classic jazz, then snap it into the upbeat pulse of ska, reggae and dancehall. Since their inception in 1994, NYSJE has released 12 records and performed regularly throughout Europe, Canada, USA, Japan, The Caribbean and South America.
They’re led by “Rocksteady” Freddie Reiter, the band also consists of Kevin Batchelor (trumpet, vocals), Simone Amodeo (guitar, vocals), Andy Mittoo (keyboards), and Mark Damon (bass guitar), Karl Wright (drums). With thousands of gigs behind them, they’re known for a live set that’s meant to entertain.
If you want a starting point before you go, their discography runs deep from their self-titled debut (1995) through albums like Step Forward (2009), Break Thru (2019) and In The Moment (2022).