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The Skatalites are a legendary Jamaican instrumental band, widely regarded as the foundational architects of ska music and pivotal figures in the development of rocksteady and reggae.Formed in Jamaica in 1964 by leading session musicians, The Skatalites defined the ska sound with their energetic rhythms, prominent horn section, and jazz influences. They were the premier studio band for producers like Clement "Coxsone" Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), backing countless iconic artists including Bob Marley & The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, and Delroy Wilson. Despite their initial breakup in 1965 after barely a year together, their impact was immense. They experienced multiple reunions starting in the 1980s and 1990s, touring globally and recording new material, cementing their legacy as ska pioneers.

• The band's initial breakup in August 1965 was precipitated by the arrest of key member and trombonist Don Drummond for the murder of his girlfriend, dancer Anita "Marguerita" Mahfood. Drummond was diagnosed with schizophrenia and died in a mental institution in 1969 under suspicious circumstances.
• Pianist and musical director Jackie Mittoo was only 17 years old when the band formed. He later became a hugely influential figure in reggae and Canadian soul music.
• Despite their short initial lifespan, The Skatalites created an instantly recognizable instrumental sound, heavily influenced by American jazz and R&B but uniquely Jamaican, characterized by a walking bass line, offbeat guitar or piano chops, and powerful saxophone, trumpet, and trombone melodies.