Big Jelly launch Midnight Jam at Monroe’s

Galway based Ska band Big Jelly play the main stage at Monroe’s Live for the launch of Midnight Jam next Friday, June 26.

Midnight Jam is a new  night of music at Monroe’s, which will showcase the finest of local and national and international musicians at midnight once a month. The event is the brainchild of Shrule native Donal Gibbons and nine-piece Big Jelly kick off the proceedings with their take on ska reggae.

Ska’s began in Jamaica in the 1960s thanks to Prince Buster. It was revived in the late seventies with the UK’s 2Tone movement, which was spearheaded by the likes of The Specials.

The instrumental Big Jelly, who formed in 2014, will play early Jamaican roots ska from artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Skatalite and Prince Buster as well as classics from Bob Marley and Lee Scratch Perry at Monroe’s Live.

Big Jelly are Pauli Smalls (Baritone Horn),  Dan Guinane ( trumpet), Shane O’ Malley (bass trombone),  Geoff Ward (Soprano Sax), Bill Wright (Tenor Sax) Bri Gosker (guitar) Anna Mullarkey (keys)  Dave Shaughnessy (drums) and Sam Wright (bass guitar). Incorporating a lush five-piece brass section, Big Jelly can lay good claim to be Galway’s most danceable band – they just get a crowd moving, instantly. Their slice of Jamaican reggae ska should be a good show.

Doors 10pm, tickets €10/€7 online