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The Vagabonds (2)

Jamaican backing band. Often connected with [a=Jimmy James (2)] Formed by Colston Chen in Kingston, Jamaica in 1961and made up of cabaret musicians and singers, the group left the island in April 1964 aboard the SS Ascania and arrived at Southhampton on May 8. The Vagabonds brought ska to Britain and soon became a favourite of the growing West Indian community. Then in 1965, they auditioned at the world famous Marquee Club and ended up being headliners at the nightly shows which had many stars at their gigs, including Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.