The Brothers Ignatius Big Band is a 17 piece band that grew out of a smaller 8 piece band ‘The Brothers Ignatius’ and endeavours to fuse two of our biggest musical passions: Jamaican ska and rocksteady of the late 50s/early 60s and the big band sound of a similar era. 
The band plays mostly original instrumentals with a few choice covers, often with a guest vocalist, and the occasional skanked up jazz standard.

The name itself pays tribute to Sister Mary Ignatius, a guiding force at The Alpha Boy’s School in Kingston, Jamaica. Sister Ignatius was instrumental, pardon the pun, in beginning a programme of musical education at the school and even DJ’ed for the boys on Friday evenings, utilising a sound system she purchased from a former student. 

This school, with Sister Ignatius at the helm, provided many of the musicians that went on to form the backbone of the early Jamaican recording industry. The Skatalites, ska pioneers and house band at Sir Coxsone Dodd’s Studio 1 label, included several Alpha old boys. 

Our extended 7 track EP/mini album is available for digital download HERE and plans are afoot for a limited run vinyl release in the autumn. 
If you'd like to know more about the band and future releases and shows, then please give us a follow on social media by clicking on the icons which found on every page.

BLESS YOU MY CHILD!