Sonatas’ 2011 Band Launch - Good Pan Music for All

New York - This New York Pan season has seen a bumper crop of steelpan events including several ‘band launches’ - more so than in past years.  D’Radoes, Harmony, New York Pan Stars, Despers USA, CASYM, ADLIB all got their launches done by the second weekend of August.  The turn of Metro and Sonatas Steel Orchestras were carded for last weekend.  Metro was ‘rained out’ on Friday, the same fate which had befallen Sonatas the previous Saturday and had prompted the rescheduling to this past Saturday.

So the final ‘big’ band launch of the 2011 New York steelband season - hosted by Sonatas Steel Orchestra - came off with a blessing, and great weather.  Always an event that the pan community looks forward to way in advance, Sonatas does not run this late in the season; however with a simultaneous scheduling for the same day as CASYM’s event on August 7, Sonatas graciously deferred to the following weekend, August 14, only to have that event scuttled by rainstorms.  So August 20 it was, and once more it was Pan! in Pantonic’s panyard on Albemarle Road, the venue for Sonatas’ 2011 band launch.

Because of the change in date, a couple bands could not appear due to other commitments - Steel Sensation’s absence being acutely missed by several who were there.  Two bands who were able to come immediately after other gigs were Despers USA and CASYM.  A bit fatigued from travel to and fro, and hauling of pans back and forth - band members nonetheless put on their ‘showtime’ faces and spirit - and delivered their customary anticipated and well-received performances for the music lovers who were there.

The launch officially got underway at 11:12 p.m. when New York Pan Stars opened up their set.  Calypsonian Tunapuna Scanty evoked good memories with his 2009 hit Bandoleros.  The little tot who has become a ‘staple’ at band launches, dancing around complete with his pan sticks, stole just a bit of the limelight from Tunapuna Scanty, who happily included him in his presentation for a few moments.  Veteran performer Count Robin was also in the spotlight not too long after.

For anyone who needed pan sticks, Sonatas’ band member Joshua McPherson was available with a complete display of sticks that he himself manufactures.  Several people took advantage of the opportunity to check out his well-crafted wares. 

As always, several well-known veteran members of the New York steelband fraternity made special efforts to be on hand in visible support of the event, such as Moods’ Clyde Durant and Metro’s Tony Joseph.  Sets by Harmony, Pantonic and hosts Sonatas Steel Orchestra rounded out the steelband performances for the latter’s 2011 band launch.

It was a very good evening, weather-wise, and with regard to pan performances.  For all those who can never get enough of Pan - this was a ‘home run’ of an event.