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United Kingdom -
Monday the 7th May 2007, the UK’s May Bank Holiday, saw the Engine
Room Collective continue to host their monthly music concerts
featuring some of the UK’s young, gifted and aspiring pan musicians.
The Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, Notting
Hill, London W10 5XL is the venue to be every first Monday of the
month. Doors open 7.30 pm with the first performance at 8.30 pm.
The Engine Room Collective on the night comprised of Michael Bailey
and Kwadjo Amponsem on bass guitar, Ugo Del Mirani on keyboards, Ray
Carless on sax, Bobby Stignac on percussion and Matthew Phillip on
drums who was celebrating his birthday. They accompanied Brent
Holder, former World Steelband Champion soloist, founder member of
the Caribbean Steel International band and musical arranger for the
Stardust Steel Orchestra gave an awesome, energetic and inspiring
display of his musicianship. Supported by well known pan tuner,
calypsonian, musical arranger, singer cum all round musician Michael
‘Bubbles’ Oliviere, and up-and-coming vocalist Yasmin James, the
audience were treated to a evening showcasing the best of jazz,
reggae, calypso and popular music.
Already there are whispers amongst the steel pan community that ‘the
Abbey’, famous for hosting steelpan concerts in the 80s has been
revived through the Engine Room Collective concerts and pan lovers
can enjoy a wealth of steel pan music on a regular basis rather than
seasonal concerts.
The driving force behind the Engine Room Collective is none other
than the established musician, Matthew Phillip. Not content with
managing one of Europe’s leading steel bands, working full time
playing the circuits as a professional drummer, supporting and
nurturing young musicians and singers, and looking after his young
family, Matthew set up the Engine Room in 1998. In 2003, he secured
funding from Arts Council London to set up Engine Room Records to
afford musicians the opportunity to have their work recorded and
published. In November 2005, he moved the studio to larger premises
in Willesden, London NW10 and one year later started the Engine Room
Collective sessions at Inn on the Green in West London.
Matthew has indicated that he has a few more new initiatives lined
up that are designed to get pan music more recognised and that his
efforts will continue far into the future.
Pannists who have appeared at these concerts include Carlene
Etienne, Justin Russell, Gary Moustache, Robert Clarke, Delphina
‘Panness’ James, Ryan Eastmond Cummings, Samuel Du Bois, Kyron Akal,
Daniel Louis and Brent Holder
For more information on the Engine Room Collective, visit
http://www.myspace.com/engineroomcollective
From the new desk of Robby Joseph:
www.panpodium.com
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Steelpan
Jazz comes to the House of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City
as Abstract Entertainment presents it annual Father's Day weekend
show. This year's concert will feature internationally famous
vocalist David Rudder, veteran steelpan master Robert Greenidge and
famed percussionist/recording artist Ralph McDonald. This
annual concert is one of the worlds most sought after steelpan music
events.
