City Winery NYC presents NYC SKA Orchestra with special guest DMC of RUN DMC live on Sunday, April 20th, at 7:30 PM!

NYC SKA ORCHESTRA…

is a 20-piece big band that creates and performs lush original compositions and arrangements of songs from the rich, historic, and culturally-iconic Jamaican music styles of ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They blend the exuberant musical layers of the jazz big band era, soul and R&B, with Jamaican roots music; effortlessly flowing into a unique, accessible, joyous and danceable sound that audiences love.

NYCSO is led by arranger, trumpeter, singer and educator Kevin Batchelor; and features 87 year-young celebrated Jamaican percussionist/vocalist Larry MacDonald, and Jamaican master drummer Carl Wright. Together they have recorded and/or performed with nearly every great Jamaican music artist including Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, Skatalites, and Toots & The Maytals; and they regularly work with the leading Jamaican artists today. The orchestra also features singer Pallavi Gummalam and singer/arranger Aida Brandies Hargrove, plus all top-notch pro players from NYC; which combines for a hugely entertaining, danceable, unforgettable show.

DARRYL “DMC” MCDANIELS

Founding member of legendary rap group RUN DMC, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels has been an undeniable influence on pop culture. He remains at the forefront of hip hop history. From being in the first rap group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone to the first to appear on MTV, the Grammy nominated artist has changed music, culture, fashion and language. An Emmy Award winner for the VH1 documentary about his life changing discovery, DMC: My Adoption Journey he is the co-founder of the nonprofit, Felix Organization. DMC has been invited to the White House by President Obama to address youth groups on responsibility and he’s appeared before Congress in support of adoptees and foster children. A Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee as well as a celebrated author with his novel, King of Rock; Respect, Responsibility and My Life With Run-DMC he’s also a philanthropist. Even with this long list of accomplishments and 30 million record sales later DMC is still releasing new music as he continues to create, inspire and motivate.