Benz World Blog » Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Ruby Mills

Jason Benz — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:01:03 +0000

This is Ruby Mills singing with the Melbourne Ska Orchestra at Hotel Brunswick on Friday. They delivered a high-energy ska show with a huge dollop of reggae. The set was a mix of classics like Pat Powell’s famous version of “The Best Things In Life Are Free” and new stuff from their latest album “Monte Loco Rides Again” which continues their recent spaghetti western vibe. It was also great to see newer members of the band given the freedom to create fresh new takes on traditional MSO songs.

Hotel Bruswick hosted The Wailers earlier this year when Bluesfest folded and international artists found themselves with plane tickets to a festival that had been cancelled. The venue is unique and great for live music. There is a large open courtyard which faces the riverside park so the number of people who can enjoy the music exceeds the capacity of the venue.

Thanks to Ruby for a great night out and putting my name on the door. It has inspired me to dust off my camera after the vacuum Bluesfest left behind. If you are playing in a band within a bicycle ride of Mullumbimby, leave a comment and I could cover your gig next.

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…

Nicky Bomba

Jason Benz — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 13:17:49 +0000

This is Nicky Bomba leading the awesome Melbourne Ska Orchestra on the Delta stage on the final day of Byron Bay Bluesfest. I saw their previous set on Saturday and was impressed that they had enough quality songs, they did not repeat the same set. This is unusual. In my experience, the larger a band gets, the harder it is to produce more than 1 tight set. MSO is no ordinary band, In 2018 they recorded one new song a week for a whole year, producing 4 albums.

Credit must also be given to the backstage crew who keep every performance running like clockwork, no matter how big the band. The success of the sold-out Bluesfest 2025 has proved potential of live music festivals in NSW.

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…

Pat Powell

Jason Benz — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:55:37 +0000

Legendary Pat Powell (Patou) with the awesome Melbourne Ska Orchestra at the 2014 Blues on Broadbeach Festival. Patou is a British-born Jamaican who moved to Australia. We have likely spent a similar amount of time in all 3 countries. That is all I can claim to have in common, as no matter how much roots music I listen to, I’m still a short skinny white guy. His globe-trotting did not end there. He has sung on the biggest stages and recorded all over the world. Only a legend can get paid to watch Kylie Minogue dance. His voice is as deep, warm and smooth as he looks. You have probably heard him without realising. He is like the James Earl Jones of singing.

This photo is from the early stage of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra when they had just released their first album. Since then they have released six more studio albums, including in 2018 when they released one song a week for a whole year. Impressive for a 34-piece band. That 1 year produced 4 albums which are a homage to the original Ska movement which grew from sound system culture in Jamaica.

The speed of music production is phenomenal.

This website started 20 years ago with reggae festivals in Jamaica. Every week before we knew the No.1 US song, a local band would have arranged and recorded a reggae/ska version and had it in the shops before anyone heard the original. New tunes were just as quick. When Hurricane Ivan passed by. The song telling the story of that hurricane was on the radio before the hurricane made landfall. Since MSO mastered the ska skill of rapid recording, they created a large body of work in a short time. Now they are out of the studio and ready to party.

I highly recommend you see them live if you get the chance.

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have been confirmed for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter 2025.

UPDATE: I had a chat with Pat. He told me he met the Melbourne Ska Orchestra at Bluesfest as he was hired by Bluesfest to drive the artists bus. Proof it is more than a festival, it does change lives. One more reason to #savebluesfest

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…

Funk Chunk

Jason Benz — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 23:47:18 +0000

This is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra rockin’ the Delta stage on the third day of Bluesfest 2022. They are my favourite band to photograph due to their spectacular show. The exceptional blend of organised chaos must be seen to be believed. They extend the limit of what up to 25 people can do on a stage simultaneously. They have been busy too, recording 7 studio albums, overturning the assumption that big bands write slowly. Defying the possible is MSO MO. All the new tunes in their set had the instant catchy quality they are known for. Their energy is infectious and inspires wild dancing in the crowd. (image download here)

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra will return for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025.

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…

Ska Orchestra

Jason Benz — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 03:10:29 +0000

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra put on an awesome performance on the Crossroads stage last night at the 2015 Byron Bay Bluesfest. We never miss a chance to see them. Their energy is infectious, not only will they get your toes tapping you will find yourself dancing like a lunatic and having a thoroughly good time before you can say Madness. (image download here)

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra will return for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025.

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…

Ska Blues

Jason Benz — Sun, 25 May 2014 11:36:50 +0000

This weekend we visited the Blues on Broadbeach Festival. The last time we were here was for the Jazz Festival. This is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra who put on a high-energy rollercoaster performance. Building on a love for the music of The Specials and Madness, they have taken Ska to a whole new level. The 25-piece orchestra barely sat down for one song as they jumped around the stage and balanced on the speakers. When they left the stage they walked into the crowd and down the street while playing. I highly recommend seeing them. If you are in the UK they will be playing Glastonbury in 2014.

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra will return for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025.

For the Melbourne Ska Orchestras next Northern Rivers gig, Watch this space…