National Ska Day

Welcome to the grooviest article you'll read all day! Get your dancing shoes on and your trombone ready because it's time to celebrate National Ska Day!

When is Ska Day?

It's national ska day on the 4th July.

A Brief History of Ska

Originating in Jamaica in the 1950s, ska is a genre of music that blends elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B. With its upbeat tempo, syncopated guitar rhythms, and distinctive horn section, ska quickly gained popularity both in Jamaica and across the world.

The pioneer of ska music is often credited to The Skatalites, a group of talented musicians who formed in 1963. Their energetic tunes and infectious beats captured the hearts of listeners and paved the way for numerous ska bands in the years to come. Some of the most well-known ska bands include The Specials, Madness, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Today, ska continues to be celebrated for its infectious melodies, energetic dance moves, and feel-good vibes. Whether you're skanking at a live concert or swaying to the beat in your living room, National Ska Day is the perfect opportunity to embrace the cheery spirit of this genre.

How to Celebrate National Ska Day

1. Crank up the ska tunes and have a ska dance party with your loved ones. It's impossible to feel down when ska music is playing!

2. Dress in your best ska-inspired fashion. Think checkerboard patterns, suspenders, fedora hats, and button-up shirts.

3. Support your local ska bands by attending their concerts or streaming their music. Show them some love!

4. Learn a few ska dance moves and show off your skills on the dance floor. Just don't forget to keep those knees high!

Ska Did You Know?

Did you know that ska music influenced the development of other popular genres, including reggae and punk? It's true! The upbeat rhythms and catchy melodies of ska laid the foundation for the iconic sounds of Bob Marley and The Clash.

History behind the term 'Ska'

1960

The Birth of Ska

Ska originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, but it gained popularity in the early 1960s. It was a fusion of traditional Jamaican music styles like mento and calypso with American rhythm and blues. Ska is characterized by its upbeat tempo, syncopated guitar and piano rhythms, and the prominent use of brass instruments. The term 'ska' is believed to be derived from the sound that the guitarists made when playing offbeats on the upbeat.

1964

The Ska Explosion

By the mid-1960s, ska had become a major music trend in Jamaica. Artists like The Skatalites, Prince Buster, and The Wailers (featuring a young Bob Marley) dominated the ska scene and brought the genre to the international stage. Ska music spread beyond Jamaica's borders and sparked a craze in the United Kingdom, where it found a dedicated following among the British working class.

1970s

Ska Evolves to Rocksteady and Reggae

In the late 1960s, ska's tempo began to slow down, leading to the development of rocksteady, which placed greater emphasis on the bass and allowed for more relaxed melodies. Rocksteady eventually evolved into reggae, which became the dominant Jamaican music genre of the 1970s. Despite ska's decline in popularity, its influence can still be heard in the energetic offbeat rhythms of reggae music.

1970s to Present

Ska Revival and Subgenres

Throughout the 1970s, ska experienced a revival in the United Kingdom, spearheaded by bands like The Specials, Madness, and The English Beat. This ska revival, often referred to as the 2 Tone movement, combined traditional ska elements with punk and new wave influences. In later years, ska continued to evolve and gave rise to various subgenres such as ska punk, ska jazz, and ska-core, each adding their own unique twist to the original ska sound.