Seattle can’t claim a huge cache of skinheads, but a horde of them came out to see the originators of a genre Wednesday evening. Amidst the fashion conscious Seattleites, the skinners donned winter gear - flight jackets sporting various patches displaying heritage or affinities and boots. That being said, the only rabble-rouser was a drunken thirty year old who couldn’t exactly keep his balance while he danced. He, though, must be excused. After all, how many more times will the Skatalites traipse through town?

Opening for the Jamaican group were Seattle’s Georgetown Orbits and KEXP’s DJ Kid Hops who touched on everything from Tenor Saw to Desmond Dekker while encouraging the crowd to sing the choruses. And regardless of Nectar recalling The Max from Saved By the Bell, there were enough ska enthusiasts that at times during the Skatalites set, folks needed to head outside for a moment to cease the non-stop perspiration.

Any group that coalesced in the early ‘60s has gone through a number of line-up changes. And that’s true with these folks as well. While the up-right bass of Lloyd Brevett was glaringly absent, the octet, augmented by original contributor Doreen Shaffer, only counted two Skatalites from the classic ’64 line-up. Lloyd Knibb sitting on his drum throne and Lester Sterling calling out song titles, easily offered evidence of their historic musical aptitudes. The additional six players, though mostly a good deal younger, seemed to propel the group, the music and the crowd.

It was of course endearing to watch the alto sax player dance the ska and relish the screams of woman that could have been his grandchildren, but like any jazz based idiom, the intertwining talents of the players was the imperative focus. Clearly well rehearsed, as each horn (alto and soprano sax, trombone and trumpet) soloed, the energy of the younger players seemed to push the elders. In contrast, simply sharing the stage with legendary musicians must, on a nightly basis, induce exemplary performances of the newly added Skatalites. From the opening countdown to “Freedom Sounds” and every classic after, the crowd pulsed with the one and the three beat ensuring that as long as there are originators to bring their celebratory music, there will be a culture to support it. In light of how disposable music has become in our culture, after 44 years of on and off performances, the continued support of this group seems ever more remarkable.

For more on the Skatalites, check out their website. Photo courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors.