Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Championship band Supernovas Steel Orchestra will enthrall music lovers in Antigua for the annual Moods Of Pan festival being held in the twin-island country’s capital of St. John’s at the end of the month. The orchestra will take the stage on both nights of the festival, November 29 and 30. Supernovas are the 2014 champions in Trinidad & Tobago’s small conventional steel orchestra category and are performing for the first time in Antigua. Supernovas are made up of some of the brightest young stars of steelband music in Trinidad with a number of their members having roots in the popular Samaroo Jets.
Leader and musical director of Supernovas Amrit Samaroo is very much looking forward to the upcoming music showcase. “We have developed excellent relationships with groups and players in Antigua over the years, who perform with us for our Panorama - and vice versa. Hence a visit to the gem of the Caribbean was eminent.” And what can steelband music lovers in attendance expect from Supernovas? “In terms of our repertoire, Antigua would be getting a little bit of everything - and a bit more...”
Monty Alexander, one of the biggest jazz legends to have come out of the Caribbean, will also be bringing his incredible talents to Moods Of Pan.
Alexander, who was just last month nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, has been a jazz pianist for over fifty years and has blended his inspiring abilities with his passion and love for the country of his birth, Jamaica.
The Moods of Pan audience can therefore expect to be thrilled by his interpretation of some of the most popular hits from Jamaican music. “In an age of anarchic and pretentious music, it’s a relief to turn to Monty Alexander, a masterly pianist who delights audiences everywhere,” said the London Evening Standard in a review of one of his performances.
Alexander will be performing on the second night of the festival. The first night, Saturday November 29, will feature Heart Beat as the opening act and followed by the 25-a-side competition, which has already generated widespread commitment from steelbands in Antigua. Participating bands will be doing a piece of their choice in calypso style.
Bringing the curtains down on the first night of Moods of Pan will be the Cutting Edge band, a talented combination of Antiguan musicians that feature renowned panist Aubrey ‘Lacu’ Samuel.
Sunday is being called ‘Another Side of Pan’ and besides Monty Alexander gracing the stage, there will be performances by the Zionites, Panache and Supernovas. Tickets for Moods of Pan go on sale at Ceco Pharmacy on High Street in Antigua’s capital, St. John’s, from this week.
Sponsors are the Ministry of Tourism, West Indies Oil Company, Birtsfield Martin of Brownies Bakery, Zoom Radio 96.1FM, Observer Radio, ABS Radio/Television, Rawjers Radio, and Prime Minister Gaston Browne.