Martin tries to revive Ska - Rebirth to play for Prince Harry
Published:Sunday | March 4, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Alessandro Boyd, Gleaner Writer
Winston 'Sparrow' Martin started the Ska Rebirth project six months ago.
He felt compelled to revive the Skatalites due to the lack of consciousness in the lyrics of contemporary music. "This generation needs ska," he said.
"Ska is conscious, it is also original as rocksteady and reggae originated from it. I don't have a problem with dancehall because they are great artistes and, trust me, it is nice to see them riding high. Their minds are more focused on the money and they're not long-lasting. It should be about the melody, the heartbeat should flow with the rhythm. We need some more conscious lyrics within the music and ska will educate them," Martin added.
Ska Rebirth consists of nine young men between the ages of 23 and 26 whom Martin has taught to play the wind ensemble and rhythm sections which consists of guitars, piano and bass.
authentic ska
"Ska is a part of jazz. In England it is called blue beat but it was originated in Jamaica. I want to bring back this spirit as we are the only ones who can make authentic ska music because it is Jamaican. It would be like a foreigner attempting to cook ackee and saltfish, it just will never taste the same like when a Jamaican does it," said Martin.
Ska Rebirth recently played at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
"We also want to travel to the inner-city communities to get the children to feel authentic Jamaican music, let the children hear what good music is all about. I am currently awaiting sponsorship though," Martin commented.
Martin has also been the bandmaster at The Alpha Boys' School since 1988.
He said "they called and said they needed a bandmaster. At the time they were paying me $150 a week to teach 40 boys, I never did it for the money though. I did it for the love of the music, and Alpha is my former school".
The Alpha Boys' band plays at the Unity of Jamaica Church at 87 Old Hope Road, every Sunday, and will also be performing for Prince Harry on Tuesday during his visit to the island.