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Doreen Shaffer: "I was never what you would call a shy person!"

Al jaren is Doreen Shaffer de stem en enige vrouwelijke bandlid van The Skatalites. Dat ze ook solo haar mannetje kan staan bewijst ze binnenkort in Eeklo waar ze op 19 augustus aanstaande samen met onze eigenste Moon Invaders haar nieuwe album ('Groovin' With The Moon Invadors') komt voorstellen op het Helden in het Park festival.

Doreen, the first and most logical question is to ask you how you hooked up with The Skatalites all these years ago.
Doreen Shaffer: "Well, you could say I was at the right place at the right time. I went to Studio 1 to do an audition and there I met these musicians. They were not known as The Skatalites yet because they were just studio musicians at that time."
How is it to be the only women in a band like that?
Doreen Shaffer: "Oh, it’s great, fantastic really. The respect is there and over the years we’ve gotten along fine. Things I didn’t know of, I was taught. Life is a learning school and I’m still learning every day. I’m happy I can do it with these musicians because they are wonderful people."
How did you start singing? Was that, like for a lot of Jamaican artists, in church?
Doreen Shaffer: "No, I started in school. I was never what you would call a shy person (laughs). When they had concerts they were always searching for someone to take the lead and usually I was the only one brave enough to step forward and say: "I’ll do it!" Over the years I’ve enjoyed it. I had some good friends back then who encouraged me to continue. When I decided to pursue a career in music, I then head over to Studio 1 to do an audition. I wanted to try to compose my own songs and at that time I was a big fan of Dinah Washington, who had a big hit with 'What A Difference A Day Makes', so I decided to write my own version of that song and that became my very first song 'Adorable You'. Coxsone was very pleased with the result and he introduced me to Lloyd Knibb (Skatalites drummer red.). He was the first Skatalite I met. Eventually I then met Jackie Opel and we became a team. And now, so many years later we’re still here doing our thing. It’s nice to know that we are still going strong and getting the appreciation of the people."
Where do you think the secret of ska music lies?
Doreen Shaffer: "I think it contributes to a feeling of general happiness. The musicians in The Skatalites really give it their all. Each year our audiences become younger and younger."
One does not really have to search hard for a Skatalites concert; sooner or later you guys pass by anyway. You really tour a lot; doesn’t that ever get tiresome?
Doreen Shaffer: "Between the love we get from the people and the love we have for the music, it can never get tiring. We really love touring."
I want to thank you for this short interview.
Doreen Shaffer: "Anytime! I’m glad to be here and it warms my heart when I see my band, The Skatalites, play and people get up and cheer. I thank God for that."

Published on 13/08/2010 by Jah Rebel