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Sesame Showcases
click for slideshow
Brooklyn, New York - Sesame Flyers International again took the initiative to create, promote and house a night of high-level musical performances highlighting the steelpan family of instruments and showcasing the next generation of top-ranking steelpan talent this past weekend. Left far behind were most of the ills that plague ensembles that feature steelpans as instruments of choice: bass players, guitar players, keyboard players and drummers who should be soccer players; bad instruments, bad players, bad sound and suspect talent - are the norm for many cultural music shows featuring people behind the steelpan music instruments masquerading as artists/musicians. And normally, show attendees suffer peacefully because everyone is too polite to throw a rock at these music terrorists, or are themselves equally incompetent musically to understand the musical travesty and fraud that is being perpetrated right in front of them in broad day (or night) light.
Billed as "Pan Night and Day" the mini concert was held at the Sesame Flyers International Youth and Cultural Center located in Brooklyn, New York. Performing at this event were Uri Narinesingh; Ricardo Greenaway; Jambalasi with Freddy Harris, III; Nicholas Mohan, and small stage side contingents from Sonatas Steel Orchestra and Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra. In addition, there were guest appearances from Iman Pascall, Nyasha Rhoden and Malcolm Prince Anokye. Present in the capacity audience was a wide cross section of New York and Trinidad steelband organizations. Officials and members of Moods Pan Groove, Pantonic, Sonatas, Desperadoes and Women In Steel among others, were publicly recognized and praised for their support and presence.
The show opened with a five-man side from Sonatas Steel Orchestra featuring the arrangements of the emerging young arranger and skilled pannist - Marc Brooks - who anchored the group on drums for the session. The quintet performed a varied musical set that displayed their depth, versatility, talent and command of the steelpan instruments. The audience was truly pleased and entertained by the group's performance. Though they are obviously tender in age, these musicians performed with the sensitivity and professionalism of seasoned music veterans - not always found in the steelpan performance arena. They are technically proficient and understand the power of silence and quietness. Look for good things from this group.
Next up was Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra's seven-performer side steel ensemble. The group featured the musical arrangements of Freddy Harris, III. The host group did not disappoint the audience. They presented a varied musical set which ranged from Caribbean favorites to current pop hits that had the audience swaying and dancing in their seats. Anchored by the very talented young Keith Marcelle, Jr. on drums, Sesame Flyers continue to show musical growth as they now seem perched to leap into the upper echelon of New York pan. Based on their performance at this event, Sesame is definitely in the mix. The audience was also treated to a solo tenor performance by Sesame's own Malcolm Prince Anokye. The young musician gave his performance on the night before he was to participate in a junior competition in Maryland, USA.
The night continued with tenor soloists Uri Narinesingh; Nicholas Mohan and Ricardo Greenaway performing consecutively, with the backing of a combination of 'Mellow Tone Steel' featuring Wayne Curtin on keyboards and Jason "Peanut" Isaacs on bass guitar. Nicholas Mohan performed songs from his current CD, such as I Shot the Sheriff, along with a couple of duets with Nyasha Rhoden on flute. Ricardo Greenaway also performed a series of song from his last CD. His versions of Santana's Oye Como Va and Bob Marley's Jammin' caught the attention of the audience. His personal shifting of the micing from the belly of the instrument clearly moved Greenaway out of the ranks of amateur performers, and showed a concern and knowledge of sound and musician's responsibility - as to how he was presented sonically to the audience. note: Given the critical nature of micing in these small settings, it is amazing that all live steelpan performers do not own a set of personal microphones that is specifically flattering to their instrument(s). On the topic of sound, Sesame Flyers is one of the few steelband organizations (the other being Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation) that has made a serious investment in both sound reinforcement technology, equipment and knowledge to present the best sonic situation to their audience. They are not perfect but they keep getting better and the commitment to excellence is definitely there. And the large screen video/DVD projector added a nice touch to the overall presentation, as the audience was privy to the Sesame Flyers DVD.
I have seen Jambalasi perform before on a few occasions. They were competent musicians dabbling in the jazz genre. But on this night they were very different. This time they were etched in the funk and Rhythm and Blues idioms. Simply put - they were smoking. Instead of being some young musicians playing yesterday's music - they have transformed into some young musicians leading today's music scene with the skill and knowledge base of jazz. They were well-rehearsed and played with a sense of purpose. Their approach and performance were as would be expected of them, for a performance at Radio City or Carnegie Hall to share top billing with the premier musical acts in the world. All the musicians brought their 'A' game to the table. "Spots" - the grand master/father figure of the group, anchored them rhythmically with his steady, tasteful array of percussive instruments. Freddy Harris, III led Jambalasi through a dynamic set filled with original works and classic soul pieces, sometimes seasoned with a drop of the Caribbean, other times dropping arrangements that were so funky that Prince, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic would be proud. Moreover, they captured the attention of the audience and the imagination of the young people present.
Fresh off of completing his first year at Florida Memorial College, and equally on display - was the talent of Kareem Thompson who has grown musically by leaps and bounds. His touch, command of the second pan and tasteful solos put him on another level. Iman Pascall, tenor prodigy, also guest starred with Jambalasi on a couple of pieces written and arranged again by Freddy Harris. She is fantastic. This young lady, also fresh off her first year at Florida Memorial College, showed everyone again why she is one top players in the USA. The night belonged Jambalasi and they are destined for great things. Contact Freddy Harris, III @ 1 212-518-6261 Contact Jambalasi @ 1 718-235-3141 http://www.sesameflyers.org/steelpanorchestra.htm Slideshow Pictorial - Sesame Flyers Pan Night and Day
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