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The latest CD from Ralph MacDonald is “Mixty
Motions.” It’s the masterful Ralph MacDonald
surrounded by fantastic musicians as well as
two new performances by the great duo, Ashford
and Simpson. As with previous Ralph MacDonald
releases, steelpan instruments played by Robert
Greenidge maintain a prominent role in defining
the attitude of the CD.
Click to hear sample
Web Posted
-
Wednesday April 30,
2008
Trinidad Express
Ray Holman goes north to Alaska
Alaska
- Like a bright ray of sunshine, Ray Holman came to Fairbanks,
Alaska and led five local steel bands through a memorable program of
his compositions that drew a standing ovation from a large and very
appreciative audience. As he arrived, the weather broke and the snow
started to melt. As he rehearsed the various groups who would be
performing, and despite fears it would be a chilly reception in such
a cold place, he found everyone very cheerful and friendly, hungry
to hear pan.
Web Posted
-
Wenesday April 30,
2008
The Bay City Times
Bay City, Saginaw students delight in learning to play steel drums
Michigan
- Bay City may be a long way from the currents of the Caribbean, but
some talented local drummers are bringing a tropical air to the
Tri-Cities.
The Bay City Steelers, made
up of students from Bay City Central High
School, Handy Middle School and Saginaw's
Heritage High School, perform on steel drums
that were special-ordered from a Pittsburgh
company and bought with a donation from a Bay
City couple.
The Steelers will give their
first performance at 7 p.m. today at Central
High School, 1624 Columbus Ave., where the
Central jazz bands will also perform. On
Tuesday, they'll play a private party at the
State Theatre in downtown Bay City.
"There's nothing like this in
the Bay City area, let alone the east side of
the state," said Scott Brown, a music education
major at Alma College who directs the drum band.
Web Posted
-
Sunday April 28,
2008
When Steel Talks
Steelpan Music Instrument Sweeping USA High School and College Campuses
Cool Steel and Pan Radio Return as College Campus Favorites
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously.
Web Posted
-
Sunday April 28,
2008
When Steel Talks
Steelpan Music Instrument Sweeping USA High School and College Campuses
Cool Steel and Pan Radio Return as College Campus Favorites
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 27,
2008
When Steel Talks
Panache Steel Orchestra presents a Mothers’ Day treat
Antigua
-
What’s that symphony? Sounds like no other band
I recognize!
That’s the sound of Panache Steel Orchestra,
Antigua and Barbuda’s newest steel orchestra –
which prides itself on flawless execution, an
out-of-the-ordinary repertoire, and a discipline
with is sorely lacking on too many of today’s
musical bands.
Founded in the St. George’s community in on 4
March, 2007, Panache is driven by a small group
of pannists with a common passion and vision for
the steelband art form. Theirs is a deep-seated
commitment to the elevation of pan-playing to a
new height of excellence in Antigua and Barbuda.
Tobago organisers benefit from
‘jazz-less jazz’ Keino Swamber From Tobago
Trinidad
- One of
the biggest criticisms leveled against the
organizers of the Plymouth Jazz Festival is that
the "jazz" element is non-existent.
But this has seemed to work in favor of some
organizers and artistes, as several fringe
concerts, catering to jazz and contemporary jazz
purists, have sprung up across the island of
Tobago.
Making the observation at one of those concerts
on Thursday was pannist and arranger Darren
Sheppard who said, rather tongue-in-cheek, that
he wanted to thank Clico and the Plymouth Jazz
Festival Committee.
"Because they didn't have jazz it created the
opportunity for us to have jazz here tonight.
There are a whole lot of events happening all
over to keep Tobago alive," Sheppard said.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 26,
2008
When Steel Talks
Trinidad coming with newly–invented pan instruments to CARIFESTA
Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago, which
is home to the famous steel pan, intends to
amaze the CARIFESTA X audience during the August
festival in Guyana by showcasing some of its
newest pan instruments.
The twin island Republic will be represented by
a 300-member troupe that will be participating.
Among this group will be a 40-member team from
the island’s national steel symphony who will be
the main players of the newly invented
instruments referred to as “G-Pans.”
“G-Pans” has never been seen or heard outside of
Trinidad and Tobago and will be showcased for
the first time during Carifesta which will be
held during the period August 22 to 31.
The new pan group is expected to make its
inaugural appearance at the National Cultural
Centre on August 24 and will be accompanied by
dancers, stick-walkers and singers among other
artistes and performers.
Web Posted
-
Thursday April 24,
2008
When Steel Talks
The Business and Economics of Pan - Clark Atlanta University Symposium in Review
“Emergent
Business Enterprises: Steelbands in Educational,
Religious and Community Institutions”
Atlanta, Georgia -
They came from Boston and Amherst,
Massachusetts, in the north and Tallahassee in
the south, and as far away as Paris, France, and
Trinidad, the birthplace of the steelpan.
For
three days world-class pannists, scholars,
community activists, music educators and
students gathered on the Clark Atlanta
University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, under the
theme: “Emergent Business Enterprises:
Steelbands in Educational, Religious and
Community Institutions.” The April 17-19, 2008
event was hosted by the Clark Atlanta University
Economics Department in the School of Business
Administration, in conjunction with Clark’s
Department of Music and the Hugh Hodgson School
of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Ajamu
Nyomba, chair of the Economics Department and
founder of Pan People Steelband of Atlanta, was
the symposium principal convener. Dr. Carlton
Brown, Provost and Executive Vice President of
Clark Atlanta University, as well as Dr. Ed
Davis, Interim Dean of the School of Business
Administration, welcomed participants to the
campus.
Web Posted
-
Tuesday April 22,
2008
When Steel Talks
Liz Mannette
Designs “A Bold Pan Statement”
Barbara Sealy Rhoden
(BSR) interviews Liz Mannette, pan jewelry designer
Trinidad
- Born in Trinidad as cousin of the renowned
pan builder, Ellie Mannette, Liz has distinguished
herself as a pannist, tax attorney and parliamentarian.
She recently attended the Duty Free Trade Show for
the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and shares
the experience, her keen knowledge of business and
a powerful vision for the future of the steelpan
art form and industry.
The fifth annual
"Gathering of the Pans" was held at National
Trail High School on Saturday, April 19.
"Pans" brings together steel drum programs and
enthusiasts from many different areas to present
a performance unlike any other.
Steel bands from National Trail and Eaton
performed, along with first-timers from
Granville, Ohio (which brought two different
bands) and Bowling Green State University, whose
steel band program is in its first year.
Also new to "Pans," and maybe the show-stealing
performance of the night, was a group from
Mississinawa Valley Middle School called Kuro
Taka, which had everything to do with drumming,
but nothing to do with steel.
New
Paris, Ohio - When National Trail sophomore
Nicki Howard entered sixth grade, she'd never heard
of the school's steel drum band. But Tuesday, it's
the group that will afford her special access to
the Ohio Statehouse. With 10 of her peers, she will
perform music for state legislators.
A tour of the building and an opportunity to watch
lawmakers in session will likely supplement the
concert.
"Just the fact that we get to do something special
like that makes us feel good about ourselves and
how we play," the 16-year-old said Sunday, whose
friends talked her into joining the group as soon
as she entered middle school.
The steel drum band, in which about 90 total students
in grades six through 12 participate, doubles as
a class. It's one of the few schools in Ohio that
offers steel drum in its curriculum.
Invitations for performances -- like the one from
Columbus -- are not unusual.
"We are actually known throughout the U.S. for our
programs that we have," said the group's director,
Marta Wetzel, who began the steel drum program nine
years ago when she moved to Preble County from Dayton.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 21,
2008
Trinidad Guardian
Manning: G-pan
will revolutionize Panorama
Trinidad
- Prime Minister Patrick Manning has put
the steelband fraternity on alert that the emergence
of the Genesis pan (G-pan) will have serious implications
on future Panorama competitions.
He said he anticipated that orchestras competing
in the Carnival event would no longer be required
to retain their present sizes since instruments
in the G-pan family offered greater musical volume.
Pan Trinbago is responsible for producing Panorama,
which is funded by the State. A large conventional
orchestra taking part in the competition has a ceiling
of 120 pannists, 90 for medium, and 60 for small
bands.
In Manning’s view, the need for a large complement
of pannists would soon be a thing of the past.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 21,
2008
Trinidad Guardian
Boogsie angry over no calypso at orchestra launch
Trinidad
- Celebrated pan arranger Len Boogsie Sharpe has
criticized as an embarrassment to local culture
the exclusion of calypso music from the
repertoire of the Government’s new National
Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) when it was
launched on Saturday night.
He expressed his dissatisfaction in a Guardian
interview at the event, held at Queen’s Hall, St
Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.
The launch took the form of a full-length
concert featuring the NSSO, under the musical
direction of Jessel Murray, exclusively on the
Genesis pan. There was also a guest performance
by the Festival Arts Chorale of the University
of the West Indies’ Centre for Creative and
Festival Arts.
Culture aficionados were aghast that there was
no calypso in the NSSO’s performance.
Web Posted
--
Sunday April 20,
2008 Trinidad
Newsday
Pan lover dies
at competition
Trinidad
- It was A night of tragedy for one of two pan-lovers
who went to Friday night’s Pan in the 21st Century
competition but died after collapsing backstage,
according to unconfirmed reports from Pan Trinbago.
Patrick Arnold, the President
of Pan Trinbago, the body that organized Friday’s
event yesterday said he had heard unconfirmed reports
that a woman, described as a “pan lover” had died
from a heart attack, but he did not have any more
information about the incident.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 19,
2008
When Steel Talks
Katzenjammers
Win Pan in the 21st Century 2008
Trinidad
- Tobago’s Katzenjammers topped the finals in the
Conventional Band category with 276 points playing
Diana Ross’ “When You Tell Me You Love Me” beating
TCL Group Skiffle Bunch into second spot with 266
points.
Katzenjammers and eleven (11) other steel orchestras
competed in the TSTT Pan in the 21st Century category
finals on Friday 18th April 2008 at the Queen’s
Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Additionally
twelve (12) Single Pan Bands competed the Finals
titled “The Art of Pan lll.”
Marsicans took first place in
“Down Memory Lane” finals with a score of 264 points.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 19,
2008
When Steel Talks
Japan's Panorama
Steelband Leads You Tube Video Pack
The
Panorama Steelband hailing from Japan leads all
others on the When Steel Talks (WST) You Tube video
channel with over 45,314 views. In the year
since WST established the steelband music video
channel the Panorama Steelband's performance has
been has been the most popular video on the site.
New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra and Trinidad's
Exodus are the second and third most watched videos
respectively.
Web Posted
-
Friday April 18,
2008
Brigham Young University Hawaii Syndicate content
‘Pan Man’ Ray
Holman inspires BYUH students
Hawaii
- By Leilani Miller |
A
weekend feast of history and
musical arts featuring Trinidadian
composer, arranger, and performer
Ray 'Soul of Pan' Holman [pictured
at left] enriched the BYU-Hawaii
stage this past weekend, entertaining
and educating audiences with
the sounds and songs of another
island culture.
As a native
of Trinidad, a small island
in the Caribbean off the coast
of Venezuela, "Holman is perhaps
the most talented proponent
of his art form internationally,"
said music professor Dr. Darren
Duerden, who introduced steel
pan percussion at BYU-Hawaii
and conducts the Shaka Steel
Band.
New York: April
18, 2005 is the Grand Master’s birthday.
It
is a celebration of ‘Pan Birthday’ which is the
last calypso Kitchener composed for the steelpan.
From the beginning, Kitchener had a symbiotic relationship
with the steelpan instrument. He was the first to
compose music specifically for the instrument. Every
year, from 1963 with ‘The Road’ he traveled through
the Big Yard (Queen’s Park Savannah) until 1997
with ‘Guitar Pan’ as steelbands played his tunes
for the Panorama competition. I heard him
explain in an interview that his love for the instrument
developed when he resided at La Cou Harpe next to
Bar 20 steelband in the days of their infamous fights.
No, he did not play the steelpan but played the
conventional bass while he resided in London during
the 40s and early 60s. Kitch left Trinbago
in the early 1940s and journeyed first to Jamaica
where he spent a few years but it was enough for
Jamaicans to fall in love with him and to this day
he is known throughout Jamaica as the greatest calypsonian.
When Kitch left
for London, Africa was demanding their Independence
from the colonial powers. When Ghana received
their Independence in 1956 the new Prime Minister
Kwame Nkrumah invited Kitchener to come to Ghana
and sing for the new Prime Minister and his new
nation. He sang a calypso on Ghana’s Independence
that demonstrated his silent Pan Africanism.
Although he was not open about it like Stalin, Valentino
or Chalkdust (three top calypsonians) he was a strong
believer in the Blackman’s freedom. Again,
in the 1970s he sang ‘Freedom’ asking where was
‘our’ freedom. In 1970, the Black Power revolt
resulted in the late Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams,
calling a curfew and then a State of Emergency.
A Tribute to Pan and the Calypso Pioneers
By Dr. L. Trevor Grant
Pan, Calypso
and the Calypsonian
The history of
music in Trinidad and Tobago is rich and exciting
and continues to be influential in the potpourri
of musical genres throughout the musical world.
The calypso, soca, chutney and parang are all musical
expressions that were given meaning to in Trinidad
and Tobago and continues to make an impact throughout
the Caribbean region, America, Canada and England.
The steelpan,
which endured many negative influences from its
inception in the tumultuous 1940s, has progressed
to become one of the most dynamic and enthralling
musical instruments of the 21st century. The steelpan
is now a permanent fixture in most orchestras and
big bands and could be heard as a solo instrument
on television and radio programs. Pan giants like
Len Boogsie Sharpe, Robert Greenidge, Clive Bradley,
Jit Samaroo, Pelham Goddard, Bertie Marshall and
Ellie Mannette have taken the innovative instrument
to the top of the musical ladder and it is beyond
one’s imagination to tell the future of this acoustic
instrument.
Web Posted
-
Wednesday April 16,
2008
When Steel Talks
We’re Back -
PanRadio Begins New Season
We are back like you’ve never
heard us before. The best of steelpan music
24-7 without compromise and no apologies - nothing
but pan. In addition to the normally high
quality that you have come expect of us, Pan Radio
will now feature ninety-minute segments per show.
Yep, great steelpan music from every point on the
globe. Your favorite shows “Cool Steel”
and the “Pan People’s Place” will be
returning with, of course, tidbits of current events
and news from the global steelpan music community.
Web Posted
-
Wednesday April 16,
2008
When Steel Talks
When Steel Talks
(WST) Expands Video Channels
As means of
continuing to bring the best in audio and video
technology over the internet When Steel Talks has
expanded its video channels and carriers to accommodate
the various viewing listening needs and technical
requirements of our vast global audience.
Web Posted
-
Wednesday April 16,
2008
When Steel Talks
Grenada Steelpan
Music Festival Postponed
Grenada
- It is with great disappointment and regret that
Pan Pioneers Production announce the postponement
of the first ever Grenada Steelpan Music Festival
- PANFEST ONE – to November 2008.
The Festival was planned to take place in two phases
but will now be held as a single event in November
2008 and will feature competitions in the Solo,
Duet, Quartet and Ensembles categories.
Phase one of the Festival was scheduled to take
place in April 2008 and was to feature competitions
in the Solo, Duet and Quartet categories. However,
it was felt that the key to success of this Festival
was a wide participation by all steel orchestras
in Grenada, leaving Pan Pioneers with no choice
but to postpone the event to a later date thereby
giving the steel orchestras more time to prepare
and to have as many representatives from their individual
steel orchestras participate in this historic festival.
North
Carolina -
Ashe County High School Steel Drum Band “Cans
and Pans” formed six years ago as a very unique
class offering. These talented musicians have performed
locally and regionally to delighted audiences, including
attendees at the annual Ashe County Volunteer Awards
Ceremony. They are again scheduled to entertain
this gathering on Thursday, May 1.
The 2008 Cans and Pans ensemble
consists of 27 students offering music with a blend
of Caribbean, Latin, Rock �n Roll, and traditional
mountain music. There’s a little something for everyone,
and you will greatly enjoy their performances.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 14,
2008
When Steel Talks
Sesame Flyers
Deliver the Goods for Twenty-Five Years and Counting
New
York - A who’s who list of public and cultural
iconic figures joined the chorus of well wishers
assembled at the downtown Brooklyn, City Hall to
acknowledge, celebrate and remember the twenty five
years of accomplishments and commitment to
community service of Sesame Flyers International
(SFI). Sesame Flyers International is the
parent organization of Sesame Steel Orchestra, who
were present to perform and open the event.
Sesame Flyers International is
one of those special organizations that speaks through
its' success. For the greater part of twenty
five years Sesame Flyers International has played
an increasingly vital role in the development of
the New York City youth through it educational,
cultural and community services and programs.
In addition, Sesame Flyers has provided critical
services for the New York tri-state community through
it's adult workshops and classes.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 14,
2008
When Steel Talks
Pantonic Captivate Audience
at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge,
Massachusetts - Every student at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) is abundantly aquainted
with the laws of physics, sound, metallurgy and
chemistry. Applied mathematics both real and/or
imaginary is nothing but a sidebar for this technologically
gifted body. After all, MIT is one of the
most prestigious and respected engineering institutions
of higher learning in the world – so whatever puts
a quizzical look or expression of wonderment on
the face of any of the MIT student body and faculty,
indeed occupies a very special place.
New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra
returned to the campus of Massachusetts Institute
of Technology yesterday to brighten up a somewhat
overcast day during MIT’s preview weekend. For the
past three years, Pantonic have been present at
the request of MIT’s Caribbean Club, who arrange
the steel orchestra’s performance as part of the
welcoming activities that greet those visiting the
campus, such as prospective students, their parents
and families.
Alaska
- Like a bright ray of sunshine, Ray Holman came to Fairbanks,
Alaska and led five local steel bands through a memorable program of
his compositions that drew a standing ovation from a large and very
appreciative audience. As he arrived, the weather broke and the snow
started to melt. As he rehearsed the various groups who would be
performing, and despite fears it would be a chilly reception in such
a cold place, he found everyone very cheerful and friendly, hungry
to hear pan. 
Michigan
- Bay City may be a long way from the currents of the Caribbean, but
some talented local drummers are bringing a tropical air to the
Tri-Cities. 
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously. 
Antigua
-
What’s that symphony? Sounds like no other band
I recognize!
Trinidad
- One of
the biggest criticisms leveled against the
organizers of the Plymouth Jazz Festival is that
the "jazz" element is non-existent.
For
three days world-class pannists, scholars,
community activists, music educators and
students gathered on the Clark Atlanta
University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, under the
theme: “Emergent Business Enterprises:
Steelbands in Educational, Religious and
Community Institutions.” The April 17-19, 2008
event was hosted by the Clark Atlanta University
Economics Department in the School of Business
Administration, in conjunction with Clark’s
Department of Music and the Hugh Hodgson School
of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Ajamu
Nyomba, chair of the Economics Department and
founder of Pan People Steelband of Atlanta, was
the symposium principal convener. Dr. Carlton
Brown, Provost and Executive Vice President of
Clark Atlanta University, as well as Dr. Ed
Davis, Interim Dean of the School of Business
Administration, welcomed participants to the
campus.
Trinidad
- Born in Trinidad as cousin of the renowned
pan builder, Ellie Mannette, Liz has distinguished
herself as a pannist, tax attorney and parliamentarian.
She recently attended the Duty Free Trade Show for
the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and shares
the experience, her keen knowledge of business and
a powerful vision for the future of the steelpan
art form and industry.
New
Paris, Ohio - When National Trail sophomore
Nicki Howard entered sixth grade, she'd never heard
of the school's steel drum band. But Tuesday, it's
the group that will afford her special access to
the Ohio Statehouse. With 10 of her peers, she will
perform music for state legislators.
Trinidad
- Celebrated pan arranger Len Boogsie Sharpe has
criticized as an embarrassment to local culture
the exclusion of calypso music from the
repertoire of the Government’s new National
Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) when it was
launched on Saturday night. 
Trinidad
- It was A night of tragedy for one of two pan-lovers
who went to Friday night’s Pan in the 21st Century
competition but died after collapsing backstage,
according to unconfirmed reports from Pan Trinbago.
A
weekend feast of history and
musical arts featuring Trinidadian
composer, arranger, and performer
Ray 'Soul of Pan' Holman [pictured
at left] enriched the BYU-Hawaii
stage this past weekend, entertaining
and educating audiences with
the sounds and songs of another
island culture. 
It
is a celebration of ‘Pan Birthday’ which is the
last calypso Kitchener composed for the steelpan.
From the beginning, Kitchener had a symbiotic relationship
with the steelpan instrument. He was the first to
compose music specifically for the instrument. Every
year, from 1963 with ‘The Road’ he traveled through
the Big Yard (Queen’s Park Savannah) until 1997
with ‘Guitar Pan’ as steelbands played his tunes
for the Panorama competition. I heard him
explain in an interview that his love for the instrument
developed when he resided at La Cou Harpe next to
Bar 20 steelband in the days of their infamous fights.
No, he did not play the steelpan but played the
conventional bass while he resided in London during
the 40s and early 60s. Kitch left Trinbago
in the early 1940s and journeyed first to Jamaica
where he spent a few years but it was enough for
Jamaicans to fall in love with him and to this day
he is known throughout Jamaica as the greatest calypsonian.
North
Carolina -
Ashe County High School Steel Drum Band “Cans
and Pans” formed six years ago as a very unique
class offering. These talented musicians have performed
locally and regionally to delighted audiences, including
attendees at the annual Ashe County Volunteer Awards
Ceremony. They are again scheduled to entertain
this gathering on Thursday, May 1. 
New
York - A who’s who list of public and cultural
iconic figures joined the chorus of well wishers
assembled at the downtown Brooklyn, City Hall to
acknowledge, celebrate and remember the twenty five
years of accomplishments and commitment to
community service of Sesame Flyers International
(SFI). Sesame Flyers International is the
parent organization of Sesame Steel Orchestra, who
were present to perform and open the event.
Cambridge,
Massachusetts - Every student at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) is abundantly aquainted
with the laws of physics, sound, metallurgy and
chemistry. Applied mathematics both real and/or
imaginary is nothing but a sidebar for this technologically
gifted body. After all, MIT is one of the
most prestigious and respected engineering institutions
of higher learning in the world – so whatever puts
a quizzical look or expression of wonderment on
the face of any of the MIT student body and faculty,
indeed occupies a very special place.