Georgia, USA - Unity Christian School’s steel drum band is preparing for a trip to Greensboro, N.C., for the international convention of the Association of Christian Schools International.

The band will perform three times for the convention, which is expected to draw about 3,000 people. The students’ first performance will be for the opening of the general session, and they also will perform during a parade of nations and at the program’s offertory.

The steel drum band’s invitation to play for this event was extended as a result of last year’s visit form the accreditation committee. The committee noted the high quality of performance and director Bill King’s incorporation of the school’s mission emphasis into the program.
click for more

Trinidad, W.I. - It's an instrument for all seasons. But not everyone sees it that way.

Pan in September? For many this is still an unusual occurrence. However, with the launch of Panyard Sensations 2008, the Tourism Development Company Ltd (TDC), and Pan Trinbago Incorporated are hoping to change the view that pan music is reserved for the Carnival season.

Panyard Sensations seeks to highlight the country's national instrument, and has found that the best place to do this was in the panyard.

"The rustic charm of the panyard is unique and is an integral part of this instrument's history. [It is] a place of innovation and creation and we want people to experience that as well," Angela Fox, Media and Communications liaison at Pan Trinbago Incorporated, said.
click for full story

New York, USA - While CASYM (Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Youth Movement, Inc.) is better known internationally for the accomplishments of its world class steel orchestra, there is no doubt the group has always been much more than just a stellar music organization. CASYM is now celebrating its 25^th year of existence and is at a serious crossroad. With mounting issues and obstacles to their continued existence and future, CASYM decided to become proactive in meeting these challenges and surmounting hurdles.

On Saturday September 27^th CASYM held a special closed session at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together the untapped notable minds of a small group of friends, associates, and past members of CASYM with a host of skills, information and working connections, as part of a “think tank” to set up the path to problem-solving a host of issues that currently threaten the organization’s growth and future. The meeting was chaired by Glenda Cadogan and moderated by Nandi Ogunlade.
click for full story

St. Vincent & the Grenadines - The ‘Pan against Crime’ program resumes this Sunday with a concert in Layou, featuring performances from a number of local steel orchestras.

According to a release from the Police Force, the event will take place at the Layou Hard Court from 4:30 PM.

Performances will come from the Layou Government and Buccament Bay Secondary Schools, New Generation Gospel Band, Shanelle McKenzie, Potential Rythmix Steel Orchestra and the Police Band.
click for full story

Trinidad - A friend ask me, what he thought was a simple question, and when I answer him, he vex with mih. He say I too controversial for he. So I must be a robot. I must not think for myself. I must think what they want me to think, and say only what they want to hear. The man asked mih, what I think of the 2008 – 2009 budget presentation by the Minister of Finance Karen Nunez – Tesheira, in the house of Representative of Trinidad and Tobago?

And my answer to him was, Black Stalin could scarce have said it better when he sang Mr. Divider. Where he stated the fact that “Oil money come, and Oil money go, yet Black People remain on Pavements and Ghettoes

I have listened to Trinbagonian at every walk of life, comment and complain about the adverse effects this budget would have on them. I shear their sentiments, and felt a deeper sense of hurt as some one with in the bowels of culture.
click for full story

New York, USA - The pan community was hit again with bad news about one of our own. Junior “Man” Samuel, Captain and Leader of D’Radoes Steel Orchestra was struck down by a massive heart attack last Friday.  After being rushed to Downstate Hospital in Brooklyn, New York for emergency surgery, “Man,” remarkably and thankfully has pulled through. 

The pan community has come out in full force to wish Man a speedy recovery. This is one of the great examples when we all pull together in support of one of our own.

Junior “Man” Samuel has been at the helm of D’Radoes Steel Orchestra since 2002 when some members of Despers USA seceded, forming D’Radoes Steel Orchestra.  With the late master musician and arranger Clive Bradley taking them to the annual New York panorama from 2002 through 2005 until Bradley’s passing, Samuel has guided the band through several credible panorama showings, its best being in 2005 with D’Radoes performance Bradley’s arrangement of Johnny King’s Darlin’.  The band placed second in the New York Panorama that year.

 “Man” is now resting comfortably at his home in Brooklyn, New York, supported by wife Ingrid and surrounded by the New York pan community, and is already even planning for next year’s Panorama season (you cannot keep a true panman down!).  We at When Steel Talks wish “Man” a complete recovery.

Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra - Just days before Sesame Flyers take the stage for the 2008 New York steel orchestra panorama competition, Basement Recordings captures them in their yard. This is the fast version of their 2008 offering - "Hooked" - a Pelham Goddard arrangement. Sesame Flyers will go to capture sixth place in the competition.

Click to see full video

Trinidad, W.I. - Culture Minister Marlene McDonald is of the view that the acceptance of the newly invented Genesis pan or "G-pan" is growing.

In an interview with the Express at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando on Tuesday, McDonald said to the critics of the instrument that it's time for them to open their minds.

"I would like to think that we at the Ministry are champions in terms of developing innovative people," McDonald said.

"That is one of the pillars of Vision 2020 and I believe that we are doing our part.

"For those who criticise it (the G-pan), as we have seen in the newspapers, it's because they have not opened their minds and they are the ones who have not pushed pan."
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - In the 60s and 70s it was the pride of the South.

And its fame spread throughout the country and abroad when Guinness Cavaliers Steel Orchestra won the National Panorama Competition.

No other band from the South, except for Hatters, way back in 1977, has won the premier steelband contest since.

For Cavaliers' Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed those halcyon years have remained etched in his memory and he has always dreamed of reliving them.

Now Mohammed, who formed the now defunct 18-member band in 1961 and was its arranger, believes he has done just that - through a book and two CDs.

He said the band, unmatched in its time, had helped change the standard of steelband music, especially in Panorama competitions.
click for full story

United Kingdom - Putting schoolchildren and drums together might sound like a recipe for a headache to most people, but for pupils at the Hythe School in Egham Hythe, a special workshop was the chance to learn to play.

Year three and four pupils at the Thorpe Road school had a visit on Wednesday last week from Caribbean percussion workshop group, Dubz Steel Band which specialises in fun, educational and musical visits to schools.

The band members first talked to the children, explaining the origins of steel band music, then told them the names of the different drums, before performing a song.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - THE EDITOR: It was gratifying to see that the steelband movement represented by three of the originators of the instrument past and present had been honoured in the Independence Day Honours. Better late than never, I suppose.

However one remark made afterwards caught my eye. Dr Finbar Fletcher was quoted as saying that ‘we need to effectively brand the steelpan with TT’.

At least 15 years ago, and on many occasions since, I have suggested that we place the pan with the crossed sticks on every postage stamp in the same manner as the Queen’s head is on the UK stamps. The postage stamp is the one item with the words Trinidad and Tobago on its face that is sent to more places and in greater numbers than any other ‘product’ that we produce, effectively branding the pan.
click for more

Trinidad, W.I. - It was the sweetest sound of steelpan heard in the southland for some time when Pan Yard Sensations... A Tribute to Terry Joseph was held at China Gardens, Siparia, on September 20, 2008. The Siparia Deltones, along with Carlton Zanda and Friends, delivered an amazing combination of pan, keyboard, bass and guitar.

The show opened with the National Anthem, played by a tenor pannist of Deltones, followed by an invocation done by Paul Culley. Emcee for the evening Maurice Alexander welcomed on stage Ian Caesar and a representative of Pan Trinbago who gave a brief introduction about the show as well as the history of the Siparia Deltones.

The show had a late start which was more than made up for with several smooth performances by Deltones and Zanda’s Friends, with the audience dancing and clapping along.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - On September 13, steelband music lovers and some foreign guests gathered for an advertised Merrytones Steel Orchestra concert in Diego Martin. Pan Trinbago, governing body of the world steelband movement, and Tourism Development Company (TDC) had collaborated to stage the event slated as one of a series of ‘Pan Yard Sensation’ concerts which would feature “A little bit ah dis….. ah little bit ah dat”.

Although it was not taking place at a panyard; the venue being the Diego Martin Boys RC School, that did not deter from the “sensation” aspect of things. The first quiet sensation was that the series was being done in tribute to deceased journalist and cultural activist Terry Joseph who conceptualised the ‘Pan Yard Sensation’ model. Unfortunately, very often, serious contributors and achievers are forgotten in T&T once they have passed on. Some are even left in oblivion while they are still alive.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - "Somehow I sense that this is a propitious moment. Keith Smith once wrote a series of articles in the Tapia newspaper about Bertie Marshall which he called "Pan Is Mih Gyul." They were delightful pieces. I was so moved, I dared to make my first ever proposal to the pan community..." Lloyd Best at Pan Trinbago's Awards Ceremony, 2002, La Joya. We will come back to the rest of this speech which the then culture minister, Finbar Gangar, echoing the sentiments of the members of the pan movement described as the "best plan for pan". So much did he find it "perfect" in "every aspect" that he told the Express it would be adopted by the Culture Ministry with he, himself, monitoring the phases of its progress at every stage. But first, the founding times of the steelband innovator who, with Tony Williams and Brian Copeland, was awarded the Order of the Republic earlier this week.
click for:  Part 1

Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 2
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 3
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 4
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 5
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 6
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 7
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 8
Pan Is Mih Gyul:  Part 9

Trinidad, W.I. - For Republic Day this year, Pan Trinbago will once again be holding its annual boat ride to La Tinta.

The third edition of “All Aboard to La Tinta” on the Treasure Queen takes place on Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm. Boarding commences one hour before departure.

Entertainment will be provided by Scorpion Pan Reflection and DJ Smooth.

The proceeds will go to the Sydney Gallop Benefit Fund which assists ailing pannists.
click for full story

New York - It's that time of the year again when we spill the beans on all matters impacting the New York steelpan music community. This year's report card highlights many of the great things that are happening in the NY pan music community, and it also focuses on many of the disheartening and troubling issues that threaten to destroy the existence of this vibrant community and its continued contribution to the greater New York performing arts landscape.

Yes, there were a few people who got a well earned ‘Z’ grade. The truth is - we would have given them lower grades if we could.
click for full story

New York - What initially looked to be a grey Saturday just prior to Labor Day, co-operated beautifully for the annual New York Steelband panorama by the time the first three bands scheduled to compete, and the patrons, filed into the grounds behind the Brooklyn Museum for the 2008 Panorama. For the patrons, their point of entry was changed over from its usual Washington Avenue spot, to the Eastern Parkway driveway at the side of the museum.  Only the performers, their steelband racks and instruments were allowed in on Washington Avenue. With construction trailers occupying part of the museum grounds where the bands would normally line up one behind the other, only two to three orchestras at any one time were set up fully. Meanwhile, others awaited their turn to enter, encamped on Union and President Streets across from the museum.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - The Diego Martin Boys’ RC School, located on Church Street, Diego Martin, was filled with the sweet melodious sounds of steelband music on Saturday evening, as the seventh annual Panyard Sensations kicked off it’s opening night with a bang.

The event, done in tribute to the late cultural icon Terry Joseph, and hosted by the Tourism Development Company Ltd (TDC) in conjunction with Pan Trinbago, commenced promptly at 8.30 pm. The young players of the Diego Martin Boys’ RC School Steel Orchestra set the tone for the evening with a commendable performance of ABBA’s I Have a Dream.
click for full story

United Kingdom - Melody, Chords, Chorus, Verse, Bridges, Syncopating Rhythms and the Circle of Fifths. Steelband music is very infectious and the virus is being spread at a fast and furious rate, so much so that we are hoping that it may soon reach global epidemic status. This artform is now firmly rooted into the fabric of multicultural Britain.

2008 sees the UK steelband community celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Notting Hill Panorma, ‘Champions of Steel’ competition. From its inception in 1978, this iconic competition has grown in stature and has now attained the status as being the official start of the Notting Hill Carnival celebrations. Its move to Hyde Park, the heart of the world’s most diverse capital was the biggest transformation of this competition and marks another milestone of its achievement.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - Pan songs are rolling out the studios, faster than a speeding bullet. And one that’s out of the boxes early is the talented singer/songwriter Anthony Johnson, whose Get Down made my Top Ten List earlier this year.

Anthony is hoping that Just Right will be right for panmen on 2009.

Another singer out of the boxes early with the first of several pan songs is the loveable lunatic, Crazy. His Pan Wisdom debuted last week on the airwaves and should raise eyebrows musically.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - Three youth steel orchestras will be featured in concert at the Eric Williams Plaza, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, this evening, from 4pm

PCS Starlift Youth Groove, bpTT Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra and St Margaret Boys’ Steel Orchestra will each perform for 40 minutes.

The youth pan sides are made up of young people aged from seven to late teens.
click for full story

Trinidad, W.I. - This weekend Pan Yard Sensations shifts to South Trinidad.

The popular steelpan concert series, a joint production of the Tourism Development Company Ltd (TDC) and Pan Trinbago, will feature host bands Pan Elders and Siparia Deltones in the South; and, West Side Symphony and Steel Xplosion in Tobago, simultaneously.

On Friday night, Pan Elders will present its programme at the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Panyard, Coffee Street, San Fernando, while West Side Symphony’s will be staged at its panyard, Patience Hill, Tobago.

Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, Dennis Smith, TCL Group Skiffle Bunch, El Drago International, Dennis Smith, Gasparillo Tamboo Bamboo Specialists, Natalie Alexander and Dennis Smith will appear at Pan Elders.
click for full story

New York -For the past two decades in what has become a treasured New York tradition, Basement Recordings has been bringing the best in recording technology to the panyards, with the express purpose of capturing the music performances of the steel orchestras at their best.  And moreover, listening audiences are subsequently presented with accurate representations of how world-class steel orchestras actually sound.  In this regard Basement Recordings has often partnered with the leading manufacturers of music and recording technology like Yamaha, Sony, Mackie, AKG and many others to assure that steelbands are afforded the best recordings and remain ahead of the constantly changing technology curve.

This year Basement Recordings captured four steel orchestras in their yards - Sonatas, Pantonic, Sesame Flyers and Utopia Pan Soul.  Basement Recordings extends apologies to  all the other orchestras they were not able to cover this year.
click for full video and story