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CD Review
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Day, New London, CT, CD Review >>
Rock Steady
These days, ska and reggae are most associated with crossover L.A. punk bands or seaside nightclubs offering 5$ vodka slalom specials. But reggae in whatever guise originates largely from the influence of early American R&B and jazz. The first ska musicians, such as Roland Alphonso and others in the Skatalites, were mainly jazz musicians trying to mix the virtuoso playing of Charlie Parker and R&B with an infectious island rhythm.
It is this connection between jazz and ska that informs the music of David Hillyard and the Rocksteady Seven, who perform Friday at the El 'n' Gee club. A veteran of the third wave scene in New York, Hillyard has appeared with the Slackers and Hepcat. But he is first and foremost a tenor and soprano saxophone jazz player who fuses bebop and Latin styles to enhance the traditional ska sound. The closest analogy to Hillyard might be The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble or the Skatalites, who get the dance floor moving but who take their turns soloing as if they were on the riser stage at the Village Vanguard. -Dan Pearson
Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady Seven perform Friday at the El 'n' Gee at 86 Golden St., New London. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The Speakeasies and Bubba's Fat Friend open. Admission is 8$. Tickets are available at Strawberries stores and www.ticketweb.com Call 437-3800 04/03/03
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