THE KNICKERBOCKER MUSIC CENTER

Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 9:00pm

The Knickerbocker Music Center. 35 Railroad Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891

knickmusic.com/events/2018/5/19/doreen-shaffer

Live Music

Doreen Shaffer the "Queen of Ska" will be backed up at the Knick by local favorites SOULSHOT who will also be performing a set of their original roots reggae music.

Ernie Smith was previously scheduled to play and had to cancel due to an illness in the family.

Doreen Shaffer is a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae singer. Known as the "Queen of Ska", she was a founding member in 1964 of the Skatalites.

She started singing at school, initially inspired by jazz singers such asDinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. She began her career at Studio One, recording duets with Jackie Opel, before they both joined the Skatalites in 1964.

After the Skatalites disbanded in 1965, Shaffer continued as a solo singer. A collection of her recordings for producer Bunny Lee, First Lady of Reggae, was released in 1970. She had local success in the 1970s with singles "Sugar Sugar" and "Try a Little Smile". In 1979 she released an album with Naomi Phillips, and in 1986 recorded her debut album proper, Wonderful Sounds. She was part of the reformed Skatalites in 1992, and has continued to perform with them. Another solo album, Adorable, followed in 1997. In 2009 she collaborated with the Moon Invaders on the album Groovin'.

About Soulshot:

The Players—
David “Daveydread” Turano on bass, David Prout-guitar, Rob Liguori alto, tenor and flute, RJ Avalone on trumpet, Mark Berney on trumpet, Thom O’Brien rhythm guitar and vocals, Dion Knibb-vocals, Eric Williams-vocals, Ken Stewart on keyboards, Krys Jackson on drums and Papa Zeke on percussion.

Band Portfolios—
All the veterans have lengthy and impressive portfolios, the most notable that of Ken Stewart who has spent over 20 years as keyboardist and manager of the world famous SKATALITES, doing numerous recordings. Dion Knibb, son of the late legendary drummer Lloyd Knibb, has recorded in Jamaica with the Fab 5 and has toured the US with the SKATALITES. Thom O’Brien, singer/songwriter of the group, has penned over 100 songs, some of which appear on SOULSHOT’s SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD album. Mark Berney also spent 3 years touring and recording with the SKATALITES. He also plays coronet for the Klezmer Conservatory Band and has performed with Izak Perlman and Aretha Franklin and many more.

Band History—
The band was formed in 2003, playing clubs and festivals around New England and the New York area. We recorded our first album, THE ECHOBASS SESSONS in 2005, recorded live to ¼ inch tape! In 2010 we released our second album, SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD.
In 2008 Soulshot was invited to perform on the small stage at the Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay, JA and so impressed the management that they were called back in 2009 to perform on the MAIN STAGE along side the likes of Lionel Ritchie, The O’Jays, Chicago, Maxi Priest and many more! While in JA, in 2008, Soulshot also appeared at the Black Mystery Concert in Kingston and at several other venues about the country.
Soulshot has been the backing band for Ernie Smith on many occasions and has also backed the legend Alton Ellis at the Rhode Island Reggae Festival, (Alton put a video from this performance on his website before he passed), Roger Robin from the UK, Doreen Shaffer, renowned Jamaican vocalist and touring vocalist with the Skatalites, and Dalton “Screwdriver” Lindo on severaloccasions.

Current News—
We have just released our third album, SOULSHOT and FRIENDS with original tunes by Thom O’Brien, Dion Knibb and Eric Williams and original material from guest singer/song writers Jonah Tolchin and Ernie Smith.

Show: 9p | Doors: 8p | All Ages

Tickets: $12 advance / $15 door ($2 Service Charge Included With Online Tickets. All sales are final, no ticket refunds or exchanges.)