New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble: Bringing NY Roots to Istanbul

Last night marked my first show experience at Ghetto, one of the best venues I’ve been to in Istanbul. They’ve got a lot going for them in terms of presentation and style. Most notably, the sound and lighting were first class, the bar was both well stocked and well manned (albeit a bit pricey) and the rooftop terrace was a lovely retreat between sets. Perhaps best of all, the crowd really turned out in numbers, but it never felt cramped… something that is a bit of a rarity at bigger shows in the city.

The eighties were a time in New York when ska as a musical genre was first starting to really pick up steam there. It was not so long after when New York became the host for the rise of ska-jazz as a style of its own and managed to take it down its own route, where it has certainly withstood the test of time. Many would argue that ska’s run on the other hand, was actually quite short lived. A look at the ska scene today would find veterans telling you that the best bands have come and gone, along with the real roots of the genre.

Fortunately for the new generation of listeners, there are still bands out there carrying the torch and if turnout is any indication, last night’s show demonstrates that there is still a vibrant fan base out there for both ska and ska-jazz.The evening’s first band, 100 Derece, delivered a lively set that really stirred up the crowd. They were not listed on the site and it took a bit of questioning to generate a name, but there was no doubt that the crowd was enjoying the catchy vocals and upbeat rhythms generated by the Turkish natives. It was good fun to see a Turkish band adopt ska and tweak it in some interesting ways. As with any usual ska act, they were a rather large group of musicians. The dueling male and female vocals offered a unique sound and the overall feel of their set indicated that they were there to enhance the evening with a bit of zest. Crowds dancing – or skanking – is always a pleasure to see and listeners were unabashedly shaking to the groove of their opening act. The crowd was especially won over with a ska rendition of “I Fought the Law”; it was also left lingering in the head of this writer long after the show was over. It was a fresh reminder that seemingly any song can have a fun, toe-tapping ska version made in tribute.

When ultimately they began playing quite late in the evening, it was, to no one’s surprise, The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble (NYSJE) that stole the show. Led by ska veteran Rocksteady Freddie, formerly of The Toasters, it was clear that this style of music is simply what they do best. Traveling the world and playing their music is nothing new to these guys, who have been leaving a mark on the genre of ska-jazz since their formation in 1994. At its core, they play ska at its finest, but the degree of jazz improvisation takes it in new directions and adds subtle nuances that really give it its own aesthetic.

The show’s success was due to both the charm of Ghetto as a venue, as nobody seemed to feel restless in the downtime, and to the enthusiastic crowd. As soon as NYSJE took the stage, the venue instantly livened up, with the band demonstrating to fans, including first-timers like myself, why they are so well renowned. They are a tight and talented group of musicians, capable of taking a style and making it their own. Rocksteady Freddie and company gave us a firsthand demonstration that the genre is alive and strong. They truly left no doubt of their New York origins. They have influenced the genre and made it their own, and thankfully there seems to be no end in sight.