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THE SKAMONICS
Jazz
meets ska, London style
The Skamonics are an 8 piece jazz meets ska band, playing
a unique mix of two tone, ska, jazz and completely unexpected
covers.
Imagine Herbie Hancock jamming with The Specials, or
if Kraftwerk were from Kingston Jamaica...
Sharp
suits, silly hats and a killer horn section
Made up of some of London's top jazz and ska musicians,
the key to the Skamonic sound is that it appeals to
so many different ages and backgrounds.
From reggae fans to jazz heads, to people who just want
to dance, we put a smile on most faces. Kids (of all
ages) love it.
- SKAMONICS
GIGS
- Pictures
- official
Skamonics website |
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Mp3s are coming soon, promissed. We have
completed four tracks. In the mean time you can admire the
the rare quality of our next release cover below... Ah Ahhhh
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skamonics- hello pork pie hat -
flash music player.
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There is too much to say about this top
london ska band. It was formed by Leo, the guy with hat and
boa dancing behind his keyboard. Skamonics with their decadent
rock star attitude and what is happening onstage & backstage
are tayloring a solid reputation for themselves on the london
club circuit. The band has an unusual line up with unusual
songs that takes every single venue like a storm.
Highlights so far this year have included
gigs at the
world famous 100
Club on Oxford Street supporting reggae legend Rico Rodriguez,
and sell-out nights at London's ska mecca: Gaz's
Rockin' Blues @ the St Moritz, Soho, but also places such
as the Borderline,
the infamous Fuck'n'Roll,
and the ultracool the Bethnal
Green Working Man's Club to name a few.
Testimonials
- "Nice trombone playing"
The great Rico Rodriguez (thanks Rico!)
- "Had me dancing so hard I missed
my last train!"
DJ Dave @ the 100 Club, Oxford Street
- "Skamonics were fabulous and
brought just the kind of performance we were looking for,
we would highly recommend them"
Alex Lee, Event Co-ordinator Jazz on the River Festival
- ''The Skamonics played my club gaz's
rocking blues the other day. When I heard the guitarist I
thought this is it, he was so good I had to nick him for my
band"
Gaz Mayall (Trojans), Ska godfather
- "What a brilliant night! Best
gig I've been to in ages!"
Richard Cave, Leytonstone Festival, 2005
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Benoit Viellefon
Frontman, Electric guitar,
vocals
The Serge Gainsbourg of Ska, Benoit brings a heavy
dose of gallic charm to those funky guitar offbeats.
Ska is just one of his skills though: if you need some
Chicago Blues bass, some Moroccan spiritual trance music,
some big band jazz guitar or French chanson, check out
www.johnjohnrecords.com, his independent record label.
The only member of the band with both a moustache and
a licence to fly 1920s biplanes. |
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Nigel Stanley
Bass and arrangements
Holding down the bottom end is the band's veteran,
Nigel Stanley on bass guitar. Old enough to remember
when some of the band's material were hits the first
time round, he also plays jazz in the City Lit Big Band
and soul, blues and 60s Britpop in One More Heave.
Nigel writes many of the Skamonics arrangements. It's
how he keeps the bass parts easy to play. |
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Mark Huggett
Drums, percussions
One of the most versatile drummers on the London jazz
scene, Mark has worked extensively with free improvisers,
classic big bands, latin groups and singer-song writers:
basically everyone. He's also performed live with Jason
Rebello, Jean Toussaint, Dudley Phillips and with Lol
Coxhill collaborator Mike Cooper. He plays blues on
the London pub circuit with Big Road
His dub-ska roots go deep - he's even volunteered to
wear a pork pie hat for gigs. |
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Nick Richards
Trombone
Nick Richards, alias "Boneman", began playing
the trombone after hearing old ska recordings featuring
the legendary Don Drummond. He is currently studying
with reknowned trombonists Annie Whitehead (Jazz Jamaica
All-Stars, Fun Boy Three) and Malcolm Earle-Smith, and
has received advice and encouragement from ska veteran
Rico Rodriguez (Prince Buster, The Specials).
He plays a silver-plated Boosey & Hawkes Imperial
trombone with an F-trigger which was made in England
circa 1970, as was Nick himself.
He's performed with a dub soundsystem, a latino-reggae
band and a German classical guitarist at venues as exotic
as a beach in Amsterdam, a squat in Russell Square and
a tattoo festival in Derby. |
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Katherine
Lewis
Alto Saxophone
Rising sax star of several London big bands, Katherine's
powerful playing is getting noticed by band leaders
across London. She's also worked with people like Jamey
Aebersold, Pete Long and John Williams. Apparently she
plays a Selmer Reference 54 alto sax with C** mouthpiece.
Whatever it is, it sounds pretty great. |
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Leah Thomas
Tenor saxophone
Leah Thomas is a rising London jazz star. She also
runs the University of London Big Band, and plays mean
dirty honking tenor solos.
She is half German, and plays gospel piano.
You can visit her own myspace
page. |
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Justin Williams
Trumpet, brass section
leader
Born and raised in California, Justin Williams has
crossed the ocean to study music while satisfying his
unhealthy obsession with the all-day English breakfast.
He is currently a postgraduate musicologist at King's
College, London and plays trumpet in many big bands
around the city. He has played jazz all his life, playing
in California with numerous jazz groups as well as with
the ska group The Spirokeets and the award-winning group
Bucho! (www.ibucho.com)
His main musical influences are Chick Corea, Roy Hargrove,
Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Bach and Wagner. He
says that hitting high notes is a good way to relieve
the stresses of academia. |
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| The Skamonics were originally
put together in 2005 by English pianist Leo Hornak. He
has since left the band to live in India where he enjoys
risking his life as a political analyst. |
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Leo Hornak
Leader, fender rhodes,
piano, arranger
Pianist for the legendary Bristol Jazz Allstars, Leo
formed the Skamonics after a ridiculous dream where
John Coltrane was jamming with the Specials. It sounded
nice. Leo has also played in bands led by prog-jazz
gods Keith Tippett and Mike Westbrook. This summer he'll
be playing the Indian tanpura on the main stage at the
Vilnius music festival. As Skamonics leader he likes
the excuse to dress up in a sharp suit, and the feeling
of a seeing a dance floor moving. |
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