Doreen Shaffer

Monica Johnson, better known by her stage name Doreen Shaffer (sometimes spelled Schaffer or Schaeffer), is a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae singer: who is the undisputed Boss Lady Skinhead/Queen of Ska/Godmother of Ska. Known as the "Queen of Ska", she was a founding member in 1964 of the Skatalites.[1] Following the death of Skatalites member Lester Sterling on 16 May 2023, Shaffer is now the last surviving member of the Skatalites.

Doreen Shaffer
Shaffer performing in 2016
Background information
Birth nameMonica Johnson
BornKingston, Jamaica
GenresSka, rocksteady, reggae
Years active1963–present

Career

Johnson was born in Kingston, Jamaica in the early 1940s to a German father and Costa Rican mother.[2][1]

She started singing at school, initially inspired by jazz singers such as Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan.[2] She began her career at Studio One, recording duets with Jackie Opel, before they both joined the Skatalites in 1964.[2][1]

After the Skatalites disbanded in 1965, Shaffer continued as a solo singer.[2] A collection of her recordings for producer Bunny Lee, First Lady of Reggae, was released in 1970. She had local success in the 1970s with singles "Sugar Sugar" and "Try a Little Smile".[1] In 1979 she released an album with Naomi Phillips, and in 1986 recorded her debut album proper, Wonderful Sounds. She was part of the reformed Skatalites in 1992, and has continued to perform with them until the pandemic.[1] Another solo album, Adorable, followed in 1997. In 2009 she collaborated with the Moon Invaders on the album Groovin'.

Discography
  • First Lady of Reggae (1970), Pama
  • Read Me Right (1979), Nationwide - Doreen Schaffer & Naomi Phillips
  • Wonderful Sounds (1986), Revue/Spiderman - also released as Sugar Sugar
  • Adorable (1997), Grover
  • Adorable You (2002), Studio One
  • Groovin' (2009), Grover - Doreen Schaffer with The Moon Invaders

References
  1. Campbell, Howard (2018) "Doreen Shaffer: Queen of Ska", Jamaica Observer, 13 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018
  2. Augustyn, Heather (2010) Ska: An Oral History (Kindle edition), McFarland, ASIN B007Y49BIM
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