New
York, USA
-
Well it’s that time of the year again.
When Steel Talks finds itself in Crown
Heights, Brooklyn, New York. And if you
are going to spend the holiday season in
New York, you are sure to be able to
catch a steelband music concert. The
first of a series of such concerts took
place at St. Gregory’s in Brooklyn on
Sunday on
what was an abnormally warm November
night. A packed house of steelpan music
enthusiasts got into the holiday sprit
as they took in the performances of
ADLIB Steel Orchestra, Utopia Pan Soul:
the Next Generation, Steel Sensation,
Dem Stars Steel Orchestra and a Parang
ensemble.
Getting
off to a late start, the program was one
well worth the time out on a Sunday evening.
It played to a standing room-only
auditorium, where patrons also had the
opportunity to sample the culinary fare
available as musicians set up for what
promised to be hours of great musical
entertainment.
The bands performed very well and
delivered a wide variety of music that
included interesting variations on
traditional holiday songs and popular
music pieces. The Queens-based group of
musicians known as Steel Sensation again
demonstrated why they are simply one of
the most versatile steelband ensembles
in the USA, in addition to displaying
their skillful musicianship. ADLIB
showed that it is always ready for prime
time - smooth, tight and balanced. The
Long Island-based orchestra did not
disappoint. The group, made up of mostly young panists, performed flawlessly.
Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation - showcasing seasoned
veterans, produced a line up which
included a virtual
New York All-Star Team with Sheldon
Elcock on bass, Marlon aka Goose
on
tenor, Curt Rodgers - usually on four pan
but this time on double second, and Iman
Pascall on drums. Mr. Elcock again
reminded us why he is one the finest
bassists that New York has ever
produced. Utopia dropped a few
infectious musical treats that had the
audience going. Also on hand was Dem
Stars Steel Orchestra. With several
familiar faces from New York’s steelband
scene in their crew, the group opened up
with a holiday selection that put the
audience in the spirit of the season.
The
New York steelpan music fraternity
displayed an uncommon sense of unity at
this show as representatives and members
of many of the other New York
organizations and franchises
(such as
Keith Marcelle and Albert “Bing” Reid,
pictured) were on
hand to lend support. The show was an
excellent beginning to the holiday
season of steelpan concerts.
In Pictures
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