Valparaíso has always had a particular relationship with ska. Bands like La Floripondio and Sonora de Hacer passed through that same region, mixing metals, cumbia and rock with the Jamaican rhythm from the hills of Buenos Aires. Now it's the turn of a new generation: Wanabi Ska Orquesta has just released their first single, and it shows that they come with intention.
Traditional ska with a jazz look
Wanabi Ska Orchestra is defined as a traditional ska and jazz band from Valparaíso, with original arrangements and a contemporary look at Jamaican music. They have only been playing live for eight months — a short time on paper, but enough time to build a sound with its own identity, with metals and the groove of ska as a base and jazz getting into the arrangements.
"Walking Firmly", the first step
The single is called "Caminando Firme" and it is just that: a declaration of intentions. The song invites you to move forward despite the difficulties, to find the strength to continue on the path without carrying resentment or forgetfulness — maintaining the rhythm, walking steadily no matter what happens.
The focus of the song is anchored in the everyday life of Valparaíso: the movement of the city, its hills, its own rhythm, translated into a mix of ska energy, jazz texture and the tradition of Jamaican music that the band carries in its name.
A launch without turns
Without a pre-save budget or a large campaign behind it, Wanabi Ska Orchestra chose to release the direct theme, working with what they have. And that also says something: a band that prioritizes releasing the music before the strategy, trusting that the theme speaks for itself."Walking Steady"came out onSeptember 28, 2026, now available on Spotify.
🎧 Listen to it here: open.spotify.com/track/5i64ai0vurQI4UhsvPHm27
A scene that continues adding names
That a new band in Valparaíso chooses traditional ska with jazz as a starting point is a good sign for the scene — a genre that in Chile has deep roots, from Santo Barrio to the Buenos Aires underground, and that continues to find new voices that reinterpret it. It is barely the first step of Wanabi Ska Orquesta, but they are moving steadily.
📲Follow themand tell us what you thought of this debut.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Wanabi Ska Orchestra?
A traditional ska and jazz band from Valparaíso, Chile, with eight months playing live and their first single already published.
Where can I listen to "Caminando Firme"?
On Spotify, available since its launch.