Ska

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Music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s

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Native name
Etymology
Other names
Stylistic origins	Mento, Calypso, Jazz, Rhythm and blues
Cultural origins	Late 1950s, Jamaica
Typical instruments	Electric guitar, Bass guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Organ
Derivative forms	Rocksteady, Reggae, 2 Tone, Ska punk, Ska jazz

Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the offbeat.

History

Ska developed in Jamaica in the late 1950s when musicians began to blend mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. The genre was popularized by artists such as Prince Buster, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, and Duke Reid. The music was initially played by sound systems, which were mobile discos that played records at street parties.

In the early 1960s, ska became the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was popularized internationally by Jamaican immigrants in the United Kingdom. The genre's popularity waned in the late 1960s as it evolved into rocksteady and later reggae.

Characteristics

Ska is characterized by a walking bass line, which is a repeating bass pattern, and rhythms played on the offbeat. The music often features a horn section, including instruments such as the saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. The guitar and piano also play a significant role in creating the genre's distinctive sound.

Subgenres

Ska has several subgenres, including:

• 2 Tone: A genre that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, combining elements of ska, punk rock, and new wave.
• Ska punk: A fusion genre that combines ska with punk rock.
• Ska jazz: A fusion genre that combines ska with jazz.

Influence and Legacy

Ska has had a significant influence on various music genres, including rocksteady, reggae, and punk rock. The genre experienced a revival in the late 1970s with the 2 Tone movement in the United Kingdom, which included bands such as The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter. Ska also influenced the development of ska punk in the 1980s and 1990s, with bands such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, and Less Than Jake.

Related Pages

• Rocksteady
• Reggae
• 2 Tone (music genre)
• Ska punk
• Ska jazz
• List of ska musicians
• List of ska bands