Skatalite Tenor Saxman Rolando Alphonso, O.D. is one of Jamaica's most important and celebrated musicians with a career spanning over fifty years - from his early jazz works in Eric Dean's Orchestra and with Comedians Bim and Bam; to his calypso and mento recordings with sound system pioneer Stanley Motta; to his contributions to the developments of the ska rhythm (e.g. on the first ska recording Theophilus Beckford's "Easy Snappin" in 1958; and in the Blues Blasters); to the early developments of Bob Marley's The Wailers; to his important works with the champion Jamaican music pioneers, The Skatalites, along with his incredible solo endeavors in his The Alley Cats, The Soul Vendors, and other projects. Roland is one of Famed Studio One Producer Coxson Dodd's earliest session musicians and chief arrangers; and is most famous for his arrangements of the ska standards, "Phoenix City" and "El Pussy Cat". Roland (a.k.a. "Mr. Versatile") played several instruments including tenor, baritone, alto, and soprano saxophones and flute.
Roland has received many important accolades: Roland was "knighted" by the Jamaican government with an "Order of Distinction" in 1977 for his important contributions to Jamaican music and culture; inducted into the Reggae Hall of Fame in 1990; given a "key" to the city of Boston in the early 1990s; and nominated for two "Grammy" awards for his work on The Skatalites' 1994 "Hi Bop Ska" and 1996 "Greetings from Skamania" albums.
bio by Albino Brown
lifted from below link
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