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Where Pan Reach? – Now found in one of the most remote cities in the world - Perth

Launch of first Steelband in Western Australia: Perth Pandemix

by Mark Loquan

Australia - After rehearsals began on February 9, 2013, the first steelband in Western Australia, led by Larry Carvalho, a businessman based in Perth, launched with its inaugural public performance at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre in Thornlie during the weekend of June 27 to 29, 2013. The event was hosted by the Caribbean Australia Association (CAA).

This is particularly significant given that most steelbands in Australia lie on the east side of the land down under in the cities of Brisbane, Cairns, Marysville, Taggerty, and the Sunshine Coast. One would have witnessed the strong presence of many of those bands participating in the first Australia Steelband Festival held in April 2013 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i_f8m1Mt_o). Most of the players also had never touched a pan before, or any other instrument for that matter. Hence the experience was quite exciting, not only for the audience who were hearing the instrument live for the first time, but also for the players, who handled the performance with calm and professionalism, a major feat for a first time performance.

Perth Map

Now - the name of the first steelband in Western Australia is “Perth Pandemix,” indicating that even one of the most remote cities of the world (Perth), about 17,650km from Trinidad & Tobago, is susceptible to the ‘pan jumbie.’ Perth is the capital of the largest State of Australia, Western Australia with a population of approximately 2 million people, with the closest major city being approximately 2700km away (Adelaide).

History

So how did the Perth Pandemix steelband start? This is what Larry had to say:

“Being of Trini decent, with Mum born on Carnival morning and Dad a pan player in his younger days, I had gotten the ‘pan in meh head’ from way back in the 70s. The first time I heard Pan in Perth was back in the late 80s. From memory, Aldwyn “Alvin” Rostant (a Trini who was a member of Amral’s Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Band, and who has since immigrated to Australia) was playing in a band with one other tenor player, at what was then ‘the Casino’ (now Crown Perth Casino).  After those few weeks of liming at the Casino and having such a great time, learning to play pan had to go on the ‘bucket list’.

“Thirty or so years later, in mid-2012, I received a call from Matt Davies in Queensland regarding a Steel Pan festival in Marysville. “Was Perth interested in participating in the competition?”  It’s a shame I thought, that Perth, has the largest number of Trinis in Australia and yet we could not muster a pan side. At the time I was the President of the Caribbean Australian Association (established in Perth since.1974/5).

“A week later, to my surprise, I received a call from Mark Loquan (now our musical director)! Mark had just landed in Perth for a new work assignment.  After introducing himself, his first question was “Larry, do you have any pan in Perth?” Not one to miss an opportunity to cross one off one of my items on the ‘bucket list’ I replied “Not yet, but I guess we are about to start one!” Pans were ordered from Lennox Jordan, a Trini arranger and pan manufacturer/tuner, based in Brisbane, and the rest is history.

“Now, Pan is a little like making a pelau. With the right ingredients you can’t go wrong. A little TnT,  Alvin, Matt, Mark, the CAA, Lennox and add our current team of players... well, let me say ‘de pelau tastin’ sweet too bad!”

Players

Triple Cellos  – Larry Carvalho (Leader); Tenors – Nicole Girod, Bill Stibbs, Mark Loquan (Musical Director); Double Seconds – Peter Farinha; Double Guitars – Patricia Loquan; Tenor Bass – Roget Bibby; Drums – Mark Llanos; Percussion – Vivian Decle, Shirley Carvalho

Future

The band is aspiring to grow and build its repertoire which currently includes hits ranging from Bob Marley to Lord Kitchener, and popular contemporary songs from ‘The land down under.’  This comes at a time when the network of steelbands in Australia and New Zealand is at the early stages of being organized into an association.  Perhaps one day the band will participate at future Australian Steelband Festivals.  

“The band has worked hard over several months, and has done a great job to get the various sections in sync, and dynamics performed well.  It has also been fun to rehearse in a ‘stress-free’ environment with the group, where the team spirit is very strong” says Mark Loquan, musical director.

Another milestone for the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago!

submitted by: Mark Loquan

Contact Mark Loquan

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