Steelpan Soloists
Light Up Montréal
 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada - The 2009 Summer steelpan music events continue to roll on with a bang. Recently When Steel Talks found itself in Montréal, Quebec, Canada to cover the annual Montreal International Steelpan Festival. Now in its 9th year - the two–day festival is the brainchild of steelpan activist, organizer and educator Salah Wilson. Mr. Wilson, a seasoned steelpan musician and educator is well known for his musical accomplishments and for the championing of musical literacy in the Quebec area. However for this endeavor Mr. Wilson felt it was important to create meaningful performance opportunities that had international significance and impact. Furthermore these performances will enhance the multi-cultural artistic attraction of the city of Montréal.  
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International Panorama 2009 - Montréal Style
 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Panorama in Montreal is like that of no other place in the world. As the main event of the two-day Montreal International Steelpan Festival, now in its ninth year, the competition brings a unique brand and style to a city already with an envious reputation for hosting some of the greatest music and arts festivals in the world. Indeed, the operative word here is “international” as the show’s producers have expanded the traditional panorama concept of local partaking to an international perspective and participation.  
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Special: When Steel Talks
Pan Radio Tribute to
Michael Jackson
The Superstar’s Superstar
 

Global 
Michael Jackson was one of the finest artists of this age.  As a legit triple threat and more - he could, dance, sing , compose, produce and act.  To call him a superstar would be an understatement and an insult to his impact on the music of the world.  He was the superstar's superstar.  MJ was the best. 

Michael Jackson's music was loved, respected and interpreted by the steelpan music community.  His music will continue to inspire musicians all over the world.
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Pan community share their thoughts on Michael Jackson
 

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‘Pic of the Day’
Another Side of the late musician and master arranger Clive Bradley
 

Global - Among the many attributes of the late great master arranger Clive Bradley - was his ability to relate and inspire all people regardless of background and age. Clive Bradley had a special bond with young people. In this photo, Mr. Bradley helps a youngster experience the pan in the panyard.   
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They Played [Pan], They Sang
and They Graduated
Princes Town Methodist School’s
Class of 2009
 

Trinidad, W.I. - Thursday June 18, 2009 will long be remembered in the lives of seventeen of the twenty students of the graduating Standard Five Class of the Princes Town Methodist School in Southern Trinidad, WI. The occasion was the Graduation Service and Award Giving Ceremony. The theme was 'Keep The Dream Alive.' And sixteen members of the graduating class kept Pan alive, as they delivered a performance that featured pan and song for their parents, teachers and all in attendance. 
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CaneFire brings steelpan
to fest
 

Toronto, Canada - Harrison’s Festival of the Arts brings different performing faces in every year. This year, their 31st, is no exception. Jeremy Ledbetter, bandleader of the highly anticipated group CaneFire, is excited about their first appearance in Harrison, first trip to B.C., and another opportunity to share their unique island sound.

“The music that CaneFire plays is all about travel, and putting music from different places together, so the opportunity to share our music with a new audience in a new city is always very exciting for us,” he says.

....“A big part of what CaneFire is all about is showing people what the steelpan is capable of, by showcasing the instrument in an unconventional context,” says Ledbetter. Though many people will recognize the steelpan’s sound – Ledbetter calls it “the iconic instrument of the Caribbean” – they have usually only heard it in a limited context. He explains the kind of thing he means – “[steelpan] on a beach playing “Yellow Bird” under a palm tree.” While, not knowing better, we might be satisfied with the feeling the steelpan usually evokes – a tropical vacation for the mind -- it is much more.  
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Just Say it: When will we start to value other artforms?
 

Barbados, W.I. - THE National Cultural Foundation (NCF) met earlier this year with steelbands of Barbados and discussed the rules of the impending steelband competition to be held during the Crop Over Festival 2009. Subsequent to this meeting they corresponded with the leaders of the bands and informed them of the details of the competition – prizes, date, time, venue, etc.

Players obviously began to prepare by paying an arranger and having regular rehearsal. It was therefore a surprise when we heard by a chance conversation that the event has been cancelled. The NCF has the right to cancel an event but the investment of time and money that would have gone into preparing for this competition was not taken into consideration.

his decision however is not surprising. Although Cultural Officer for music, Ronnie Davis, has been really trying to create some interest in steelpan in Barbados, he does not seem to have got the official support that was needed for any serious development of this artform in Barbados.
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