Cuba - The Codrington Pan Family recently did the steelpan instrument and movement and their country proud with great performances in Cuba. It all began with their May 16th journey to the Caribbean island.
The ace music group participated in Cubadisco 2014, the eighteenth edition of that international event. Each year Cubadisco showcases a particular music genre and also highlights one specific country. The week-long activities also recognize and showcase the works of music stalwarts within Cuba’s music industry and include conferences, performances, street parades and related happenings - all in the country’s capital of Havana.
Setting up for one of six Cubadisco 2014 performances by The Codrington Pan Family
According to Codrington Pan Family band member and secretary of the music organization Khari Codrington, “Trinidad and Tobago—being the country of steelpan, one of the most beautiful percussive instruments—was made the guest of honour. The Codrington Pan Family was selected as one of the groups to represent Trinidad and Tobago at Cubadisco 2014. The Cubadisco Fair ran from May 17-25.”
Cuba’s ‘Steelband Habana de Trinidad y Tobago’ participates in Cubadisco 2014
Khari explained that after each of the performances by The Codrington Pan Family, many people were fascinated by the steelpan instrument and expressed interest in learning, buying or investing in the steelpan art form overall. “The people were also awe-struck by the family aspect of our group,” Khari was pleased to point out. Of the six Codrington siblings, together with mom Karen and dad Cary, only Kamau did not make the Cuba engagement, due to his CXC (Caribbean Examination Council) commitments transpiring at the same time.
The Codringtons played six performances as a group, with Keisha Codrington delivering two solo showcases. They also had the opportunity to perform alongside two steelbands from Cuba― ‘Steelband Habana de Trinidad y Tobago’ and ‘Steel band de Santiago de Cuba.’
Cuba’s ‘Steel band de Santiago de Cuba’ participates in Cubadisco 2014
This was the first time in Cuba for The Codrington Pan Family and so impressive were their performances that there is talk about a possible return in July for the Festival del Caribe, though nothing is set in stone at this point. What is certain though, is that Cuba has memories of impressive and sweet steelband music courtesy The Codringtons!
Pictures by Khari Codrington
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