Contact — This Is Ska-Jazz

Skip to Content

History with Heather

This Is Ska-Jazz

History with Heather

This Is Ska-Jazz

History with Heather

Shout out!

Got a question, a request, a recommendation or just wanna chat ska-jazz? Drop me a note!

This Is Ska-Jazz explores the creative musical expression that combines that unique Jamaican beat with backroad blues, big band swing and straight-head jazz. It features Jamaican originators like The Skatalites and The Maytals as well as contemporary bands from around the world such as The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The U.K.’s Jazz Jamaica, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Ska-J from Venice, The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, the L.A.-based Western Standard Time, and The Ska-Jazz Messengers from Venezuela.

A truly international sound with a 2-4 beat!

Meet your host

Charles bought his first ska album in 1979 and hasn’t looked back since. While he started with the British Two Tone ska revival, he’s become what his friends call “way too obsessed” in all eras and styles of ska, with special interest in that sweet spot where ska and jazz come together. Charles’ love of ska inspired him to take up the sax and to start Some Ska Band, a female-fronted, 9-piece outfit that plays original tunes and ska classics. Charles was the host of the Smart Set, which aired on Jazz90.1 in the early 2000s. Back in the DJ booth, Charles says his mission now is to make every listener a ska-jazz fan. You can catch This Is Ska-Jazz Friday nights from 8-9pm.