Jackie Mittoo

The Profile

Jamaican keyboardist and composer, founding member of The Skatalites and a central Studio One musical figure; celebrated for his Hammond organ style and his influence on ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub.

Worked extensively at Studio One in Kingston; collaborated with major Jamaican artists (including The Wailers, Alton Ellis, Sugar Minott as noted in reviews); his organ playing and arrangements were seminal for the development of dub and the wider reggae sound.

The review presents Jackie Mittoo as an essential, magnetic organist and a foundational figure in Jamaican music. It highlights his work at Studio One, role in early ska with the Skatalites, and influence on ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub. The album 'The Keyboard King at Studio One' is praised as a varied, essential compilation.