Merry Christmas Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends!

This is our 25th Annual Jamaican Christmas Fantastical! We love Christmas time, and we really enjoy doing this program every year since 1996. Last year, we kept our theme ultra playful and dug into traditional Jamaican toys and games, and for this iteration of our holiday show, we’re going to keep it a little more austere by exclusively playing songs about the birth of Jesus. On this show, you’ll hear Hortense Ellis’ and Trinity’s versions of Joy To The World, Jackie Mittoo’s brilliant instrumental take on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Roy Shirley’s adaptation of Silent Night, and many more!  We hope that you all have a very safe and joyful holiday season! XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

On December 8th, we lost the great bassist and producer, Robbie Shakespeare. He passed away in Miami after undergoing kidney surgery. He was 68 years old. Robbie was an exceptional musician who joined drummer Sly Dunbar to form one of the most prolific production and rhythm sections in music history. Robbie played on countless cuts over his five decades plus career, many that we hold dear on the show, so to honor Robbie, we picked our favorite bass lines from Robbie’s early career and played them during the first half of our tribute. And for the second half, we played many of the tracks/bass lines that Robbie, himself, selected as his favorite creations. We send our deepest respects to his family, his longtime musical brother, Sly Dunbar, and the countless musicians who worked with Robbie over his five decades plus career. Rest in power, Mr. Shakespeare. Bless you, Sir. Generoso and Lily