Skavoovie & The Epitones

In 1992 Boston gave rise to Skavoovie and the Epitones, whose sound merges third-wave ska-revival textures with swing and big-band jazz. Ten musicians make up the roster: vocalist Ans Purin, guitarist Dan Neeley, keyboardist Eugene Cho, trumpeters Jesse Farber and Ben Lewis, alto/baritone saxophonist Jon Natchez, tenor saxophonist Ben Jaffe, euphonium player Joe Wensink, bassist Rob Jost, and drummer Ben Herson. A Boston Music Award for Outstanding Ska Band preceded their signing with Moon Ska, which issued the debut album Fat Footin' in 1996. Ripe appeared the following year before the band moved to Shanachie for 1999's The Growler.