New York, USA
- When Steel Talks (WST) tagged along with Basement Recordings as they began
their annual calendar of panyard recording sessions and productions. First
stop was Despers USA Steel Orchestra located on Classon Avenue, in Brooklyn,
New York, who were the first to be captured last evening at their Pan Loft,
performing Tunapuna Scanty’s “Bandoleros.” Despers USA joins the Basement
Recordings line-up to be featured on the organization’s Pan in New York
series of Pan-4-Life CD productions. One of North America’s premier
orchestras, Despers USA has six panorama championship titles under their
belt, and look forward to adding another one in 2009.
There was a special excitement in the air with Despers USA, one that we have
not seen in recent years, and which reminded us and rekindled memories of the
band’s earlier glory days. This group of Despers is special; they are extremely
talented, driven, focused, and youthful, but - with the added advantage of the
guidance of veteran players and management who have tasted victory many times
over.
Despers USA brings much history to New York pan and its panorama landscape.
They hold the record with six panorama wins – a feat still unrivalled by any
other New York steel orchestra – and, realistically speaking, one which might
never be equaled or surpassed.
The band takes the stage for the Steelband music panorama competition this
Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum grounds, assuredly. Originally drawing a playing
position of number one, the band could play actually in position two, if the
advertised addition of Boston Metro Steel Orchestra to the competition line-up –
appearing in position one - is in effect. Either way – get to the museum early
to catch Despers USA, as the event has a scheduled start time of 8:00 p.m.
The orchestra’s instruments have been tuned with pristine clarity by their
competent and veteran in-house tuner - Despers ‘elder’ Clement Franklin
(pictured)
- who is
also one of the best and most widely respected guitar pan musicians around. In
Franklin, and the band’s core group of veteran players, Despers is guaranteed
not only quality instruments, but that unique and signature ‘Despers sound.’
Cracking the musical whip as drill master is the no-nonsense
Wilfred ‘Wiz’ Kieal – who insists and ensures that every tonal “i” is dotted and every “t” is
crossed. Then, he himself takes his place behind his own cello pan, ‘throwing
down’ with the rest of the band. In-house arranger and also a Despers USA
‘elder’ is Wilfred Kieal, Sr, a favorite with the young people in the band, and
himself young-at-heart, deftly delivering an unapologetically at times funky
arrangement of ‘Bandoleros’ that literally has the band rocking. Anchoring the
band is Wayne Inniss in his capacity of captain, himself a respected six-bass
player.
Last night the band also exhibited the hallmark Despers characteristics –
discipline, commitment, and they were extremely ‘tight’- locked in step. But
this group also brings with it a controlled execution. With all their talents,
and proud history, there remains a priceless humility and respect displayed by
all the musicians. With three more nights before the ‘big one’ you can be sure
that Despers USA is pulling out all stops as they strive for perfection with the
prize at stake – the 2009 New York Steelband Music Panorama championship title.
In any case, Despers USA is definitely back on track!!
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