Jazz on Pan Thoughts from Panman Garvin Blake

New York - He is one of the most insightful, thought-provoking, knowledgeable and intelligent people involved in the steelpan movement today. Respected steelband arranger, recording and performing artist Garvin Blake shares his thoughts on the standout cast of younger generation steelpan musicians, who took the stage at the recent USSA (United States Steelband Association) Jazz on Pan Brooklyn concert.  Blake was in the audience which settled in for fascinating performances from the likes of Mustafa Alexander, Iman Pascall, Earl Brooks, Jr., Andre White and Kareem Thompson who preceded the main attraction, panist Andy Narell and his band.

• On Mustafa Alexander:  “Mustafa played with poised and understated elegance.  His rendition of Spyro Gyra’s Morning Dance was beautifully delivered.  After his set, Mr. Alexander said he was “new to the scene.”  But on Pan In Harmony, the closing piece of the night, which brought all the players on stage, Mustafa weaved through the chord changes with such ease and grace it made me question his earlier statement.  He’s for real.”

• On Iman Pascall:  “Iman is a Pan virtuoso, in every sense of the word.  She has incredible technique, but never indulges in the pyrotechnics and histrionics that often hamper virtuosity.  There was a clarity and refinement to Iman’s performance that captivated the audience.  Ms. Pascall’s effortless execution of Bud Powell’s bebop classic Celia was breathtaking!”

• On Earl Brooks Jr.:  “Brooks Jr. brought energy and boldness to the stage. His complete command of the instrument, reminiscent of his father, Earl Sr., was reinforced by a group of superb musicians.  The rhythm section displayed an organic elasticity that was punctuated by the marvelously creative drummer Sheldon Thwaites.  We’ll be hearing the Brooks name in Pan for a long time to come.”

• On Andre White:  “Andre pushed the envelope.  He ventured into odd meters - metrically volatile territory - that kept the listener on edge. The house band K.I.T. Caribbean Connection, with the dynamic drummer KJ Marcelle, responded remarkably well to Andre’s challenging music.  Mr. White is clearly staking out new musical terrain, and I’m glad he’s taking Pan along for the ride.”

• On Kareem Thompson:  “Kareem was a young prodigy; now he’s a master player.  Kareem projected fierce intensity.  You could feel him searching deep in his soul for ideas.  Sometimes his musical probing would unearth a classic calypso lick or a complex bebop line, which he would then juxtapose with his own progressive harmonic and melodic vocabulary.  Other times, he appeared to be looking forward, testing the unknown. To describe his performance in one word:  Awesome.”

Garvin Blake finished off by saying “After hearing these young musicians at the Brooklyn Museum on Friday, I’m more convinced than ever that Kitchener’s prediction was correct, “Pan Here To Stay.””

Related concert article: Jazz on Pan a Noteworthy Brooklyn First