Monica Johnson, better known by her stage name Doreen Shaffer (sometimes spelled Schaffer or Schaeffer), is a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae singer. 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 name | Monica Johnson |
| Born | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Ska, rocksteady, reggae |
| Years active | 1963–present |
Career edit
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 re-forming of the Skatalites in 1992. [1] Another solo album, Adorable, followed in 1997. In 2009 she collaborated with the Moon Invaders on the album Groovin'. She performed with the re-formed Skatalites from 1992 until the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Discography edit
- 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