Jazz Jamaica are a British jazz and reggae group formed in London in 1991 by double bassist Gary Crosby. Inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and jazz improvisation, Crosby established the ensemble to fuse mento, ska, reggae, and jazz styles, a combination known as “skazz”. The band released their debut studio album, Skaravan, in 1993. In March 1999, Crosby expanded the group to a 20-piece big-band format known as the Jazz Jamaica All Stars, featuring guest soloists such as Denys Baptiste and Andy Sheppard. The ensemble won the award for best band at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2002. In 2004, the group collaborated with Hugh Masekela for a performance at the Barbican Centre marking the tenth anniversary of democracy in South Africa. They released the album Motorcity Roots, featuring Motown covers, in 2005 and subsequently toured the United Kingdom and Europe.
