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Pan Royal is in the house!

 Another When Steel Talks Exclusive     © 2011 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved

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New York - Along with the powerhouse steel orchestras that are in full Panorama mode for the annual New York pan season, there are a few much smaller steelbands and single-pan bands that have their own music business to take care of, and which do so quite happily several nights a week.  One such is Pan Royal, located in East Flatbush in Brooklyn, on East 51st Street just off Church Avenue.

Pan Royal practicing at their East 51st Street Brooklyn panyard
Pan Royal practicing at their East 51st Street Brooklyn panyard

Bands like Pan Royal come out ‘on the road’ with supporters for the annual J’Ouvert celebrations in the early morning hours every Labor Day, rolling along Empire Boulevard and turning into Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn.  Along the way, J’Ouvert mas bands, some costumed, chip to steelband music.

Some of the bands provide only musical accompaniment, while others bring out their own ‘J’Ouvert mas band’ and play for the masqueraders as well.  This year, “Sailors of Africa” is the theme of choice for Pan Royal’s J’Ouvert band presentation.

Anselm Fritz (right), along with fellow band member, percussionist Sasha Hutchinson, takes a break from practice to chat with When Steel Talks
Anselm Fritz (right), along with fellow band member, percussionist Sasha Hutchinson, takes a break from practice to chat with When Steel Talks

With founders which include three ‘old boys’ (alumni) from QRC (Queen’s Royal College) in Trinidad and Tobago, the word “Royal” in the band’s name is a direct reference to “Royalians” - the name by which the pan players were known in QRC, explained band manager Anselm Fritz aka “Teach,” one of those QRC ‘old boys,’ who himself plays a tenor pan in the band.

Pan Royal is a splinter group from Hearts of Steel, a single pan band which itself is still in existence and also comes out for J’Ouvert.  Musical director/arranger for the group is the no-nonsense Brian “Bean” Griffith, well known musician on the steelband musical scene.  Some twenty-plus players showed off their musical mettle at CASYM’s annual band launch two weeks ago, and that number is expected to grow by the time Pan Royal hits the road for J’Ouvert.  “More players are flying in for the final week,” said Fritz, “so there will be more than thirty on the road.”

Brian “Bean” Griffith (in black cap) takes the band through their paces
Brian “Bean” Griffith (in black cap) takes the band through their paces
 
Sketches of Pan Royal’s J’Ouvert presentation “Sailors of Africa”
Sketches of Pan Royal’s J’Ouvert presentation “Sailors of Africa”

They are definitely up to the task of getting their music down; most of the members are veteran steelpan musicians, tested through many Panorama competitions in both Trinidad & Tobago and North America, with decades of musical experience under their belts.  Having ‘done it all’ as far as Panorama is concerned, they opt now to be more laid back, and instead enjoy themselves in these small bands that go on the road for the J’Ouvert celebrations, and sometimes play out on gigs.

Pan  Royal intends to remain active year around says Fritz, who is already looking ahead to the commitments that are lined up for the band after the ‘Pan season’ has officially ended.

Every evening, as Pan Royal practices at their East 51st Street panyard, pan lovers drop by to hang out and enjoy the music session, usually running from around ten till just after midnight.  Sketches and sample costumes from their 2011 J’Ouvert “Sailors of Africa” presentation are on display as well.  Information on this, and on Pan Royal itself may be had by contacting Anselm Fritz at 1 (347) 938-1757.

Members of Pan Royal at practice
Members of Pan Royal at practice

 

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