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Batanga Latin Beat, Feature >>
Humorous, Bouncy, Lively: Meet Ska Cubano
by Mariela Prez-Simons
In the 1930s a wave of Jamaican immigrants hit Eastern Cuba, infusing the popular sound of ska into the island's already-thriving native son rhythm. After this initial meeting, ska and son (as well as Cuban and Jamaican musicians) walked the same musical path in Cuba before going separate ways following the 1959 Cuban Revolution.
"After the Revolution," says Ska Cubano founder Peter Scott. "Cuba had other priorities and the level of interaction reduced dramatically... I began to imagine what would have happened if the same level of inter action had continued. I became convinced that ska which itself borrowed quite a lot of Cuban elements, would have been taken up enthusiastically by Cuban musicians in the early 1960s. So, just for fun, I started a new label, casinosounds, to explore new directions in Cuban music and decided to create an alternative history in which Cuban ska had emerged."
To begin the project Scott contacted Natty Bo of the British ska band Top Cats, who also happened to be a fan of classic Cuban music. "He loved the idea. We got on a plane to Cuba. I introduced Natty to the musi cians, and he started to make it happen we soon had three bands experimenting with ska, with lots of other musicians Interested in what was going on."
In Santiago de Cuba, Scott and Bo discovered Beny Billy, whose mother was one of those Jamaican im migrants who came to Cuba in the 1930s. Billy, an ex-boxer with a powerfully warm voice, calls himself 'the reincarnation of Beny More." the legendary Cu ban singer. And there's certainly a similarity in their voices.
Since Ska Cubano was created, they have done more than simply reunite son and ska.
On jAy Caramba!. their second album, they com pile the classic sounds of the Caribbean: Colombian cumbia, Trinidadian calypso, Cuban son, Jamaican ska, and even American swing.
We spoke with Natty Bo during his U.S. tour this summer. Bo is the director and producer of Ska Cu bano as well as a painter, sculptor, D.J., songwritei. and a former circus performer.
Who are some of your favorite Cuabn musicians?
I like Beny More and the orchestras that backed him. Also Noro Morales, Oscar Calle, Machi o, Perez Prado, Chano Pozo, Ray Santiago, and many more.
When did you begin singing ska?
I started singing ska blues and reggae and playing blues harp In the early 1980s with my band Zlg Zag 1 was also occupied making art at that time, which I still do when I get the chance. I joined the Trojans (who played ska, R&B. and reggae) as a per cussionist In the '90s. I got to sing a couple of num bers with them. They sounded closer to the sound dug. Through the Trojans I met Meguml, We became partners at the time and she later Joined the Trojans. We toured In Japan with the Skatalltes; that drew me closer to the original ska sound. I stayed In Ja pan and joined with Megu some bands doing Jump Jive Ska Reggae Soul vocals. I returned to London and we got together with a bunch of musicians In South East London and created the Topcats in the late '90s, which instantly became a popular band playing ska. rocksteady and reggae.
I understand you are a former circus performer.
Yes, I sort of drifted into Circus Archaos Marseille in 1990 with a bunch of like-minded surrealist friends as a clown and got a job rigging. I always had that clown in me. It was a form of emotional survival, an other creative expressive platform. I hated the red- nose-clown. I was more into character inventiveness mime. I also did stilts and corde llsse [aerial stunts done while suspended on a long rope).
When you visited Cuba looking for the other members of Ska Cubano, was that the first time you visited the island?
It was my first time in Cuba. I never Imagined going there. It was like going into a parallel dimension, the light, atmosphere, sounds, colors, characters, and smells were just perfect, like Natty-world -,.'50s de signs cars, children playing having fun on the street inventing games, musicians, artists, poets ...a raw cultural sanctuary, vibrant and preserved. No adverts. Natural produce though limited, and many handmade products.
I understand you prefer Santiago de Cuba to Ha vana. Why Is that? Maybe I know Santiago more, but I feel there is more traditional music In Santiago. It's smaller and easier to get around though it is a little poorer than Havana. It's easier to meet people there and make friends and I really do have some great friends there. I feel and identify with people's struggle to make things happen under some poor conditions. I hope they get there for their hard work and effort.
Where Is Beny Billy living now?
Beny lives with his family in Santiago de Cuba. You see him always busking on the street. He's the vocal king of Santiago de Cuba.
You performed at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival this year? How was the experience?
Montreal Jazz Festival was great ...a massive crowd ...wow! What a lineup! Montreal was a cool place too.
When exactly did Ska Cubano come together?
Ska Cubano as a band has been together two years or so. The recording started five years ago. I maybe made 47-plus analog recordings In Egrem Studios. Santiago de Cuba.
Where are the other band members from?
Cuba. London, Jamaica. Japan. Montserrat, and Venezuela.
It seems like you have a lot of fun with this project.
Sure. We bring all experiences into Ska Cubano: great music, culture, personality, soul, humor, mag ic, stories, style, dance, language, excitement and especially fun. 10/01/06
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