The Ska Vendors

Dean Hilson & The Ska Vendors – A Tribute to Tommy McCook Vol. 2 Live at Birds

Transmitter Records proudly presents its latest release: Dean Hilson & The Ska Vendors – A Tribute to Tommy McCook Vol. 2 Live at Birds Basement — a celebration of one of Jamaican music’s most influential architects.

Steven Montgomery, band leader of the Ska Vendors, thought it was about time for Dean Hilson to take the limelight and what better project than to shine a light on Tommy McCook. Hilson took the baton and ran with it.

This album captures the immediacy and warmth of 1960s Jamaican studio culture, with performances tracked in real time, single take, no overdubs. The repertoire draws from the golden-era Treasure Isle catalogue — instrumental rocksteady classics originally shaped by the legendary saxophonist Tommy McCook.

The Ska Vendors is a ska band based in Melbourne, Australia playing early Jamaican rhythm and blues, ska, rocksteady and reggae. Many of the musicians have won ARIA awards or Music Victoria Awards.

Joining the on stage for the second set will be vocalists Pat Powell, Kerri Simpson, Nicky Bomba and Stick Mareebo.

The Ska Vendors

Steven Montgomery - vocals

Kerri Simpson - vocals

Pat Powell - vocals

Stick Mareebo - Toasting

Nicky Bomba - vocals

Steve Philips - drums

Tim Webb - bass

Chris Rogers - bass

Dan Kerr - guitar

John Holmes - guitar

Michael Havir - keys

Tony Hicks - flute/saxophone

Russell Roberts - trombone

Dean Hilson - saxophone

Ed Farrar - trumpet