Jazz Jamaica

Jazz Jamaica… well know for blowing the roof off live shows. A joyful cosmopolitan tribute. - JAZZWISE
They should be permanent ambassadors to the United Nations of Good Times. I have yet to find an audience remain unmoved in either sense. - CHELTENHAM INTL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Appeals as much to the ears as to the feet. - THE TIMES
Britain now has its own rival to the Buena Vista Social Club. See them now before the rest of the world grabs them. -THE GUARDIAN.
Inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and the improvisational nature of jazz, double bassist Gary Crosby turned a musical concept into a joyful reality, his concept was to create a quintessential fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz. Playing classical and modern jazz alongside Jamaican folksongs.
In 1991 Jazz Jamaica was born. Crosby has since developed the Jazz Jamaica concept by introducing a stream of talented young jazz musicians to the group, enabling him to push the boundaries of the music performed.
Crosby and his band of musicians collectively represent a unique musical fusion known as Skazz.
…BBC JAZZ AWARDS: BEST BAND 2002…….
……PARLIAMENTARY JAZZ AWARDS: ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR 2006……
The album Motorcity Roots put the 12 piece on an international touring circuit with a world class line-up embracing the legacy of the Motown Label. Led by Gary Crosby on double bass the line up included; Denys Baptiste (tenor sax), Soweto Kinch (alto sax), Abram Wilson (trumpet/ vocals), Harry Brown (trombone), Alex Wilson (piano/keys), Robin Banerjee (guitar), Oreste Noda (percussion), Rod Youngs (drums). And featuring the powerful, soulful vocals of Juliet Roberts, Zara Macfarlane and Wesley Lucas.
The album also features nu-soul pioneer vocalist Omar, Vocalist Mary Pearce and Sir Bill Morris.
Motorcity Roots was followed by the Tighten Up! project. Featuring a collective of 9 musicians including legendary Jamaican singer Myrna Hague. Inspired by the London based reggae institution Trojan Records, Tighten Up! explores the sounds of Jamaican music which brought Caribbean culture home to immigrants working in Britain in the 1950's.
Classic tunes such as 'Liquidator', 'Skatalites', 'Guns of Navarone' and 'Phoenix City' and Myrna Hague's classic 'What About Me' are to name a few songs you'll hear.
Their tour coincided with the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, drawing a powerful link with the estrangement of Caribbean culture in Britain before the arrival of Trojan Records, which triggered the spread of reggae music worldwide.
In 2006 Jazz Jamaica were awarded with the UK Parliamentary Jazz Award for Ensemble Of The Year.