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The
Bradley Years represent the definitive
collection of steelband music arrangements
and performances for a large steel
orchestra. This collection showcases seven
classic arrangements from the master
arranger Clive Bradley. Bradley is
considered to be the best steelband music
arranger ever by many, including his peers.
In addition, the arrangements are performed
by one of the finest steelbands in the
world, New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra.
Clive Bradley had a very special
relationship with Pantonic. This orchestra
clinched the title of panorama champions
five times in seven years - performing
Bradley’s musical works. The performances
were captured by Basement Recordings days
before, and in one instance, mere moments
before they took the stage for the
prestigious annual steelband music panorama
competition.
The
recordings capture, reproduce and present an
unrivalled clarity with sonic realism, of a
large steel orchestra fielding between one
hundred and one hundred twenty musicians -
unlike any other steelband music recordings
in its class.
This body of musical work is a sterling
addition for all fans, educators, players,
historians and fine music collectors.
When
Steel Talks has set up a
group on Facebook where
we can post more steelpan
pictures, videos and events.
We would like to add you
as a fan so you can expand
your steelpan music experience.
First, you need to join
Facebook! Once you join,
you can also create your
own profile.
Web Posted -
Thursday April 30, 2009
When Steel Talks
An
Opportunity Missed
The
Fifth Summit of the Americas
and the Steelband
Trinidad
& Tobago, W.I. -
Trinidad and Tobago missed a golden opportunity
to ‘sell’ steelband to the visiting heads of
states who came for the 5th Summit of the
Americas. Try to imagine the level of publicity
that could have been generated if we had given a
tenor pan, a stand, a case and a pair of sticks
to each visiting head of state.
Look at the sudden rise in popularity of a book
given by Mr. Chavez to Mr. Obama, it became an
instant bestseller. All the front pages of our
dailies carried a photo of the US president
playing a batting stroke with his gift from
Brian Lara.
These two incidents indicated to me that we are
still a bit shy when it comes to our national
instrument. It would have cost us a miniscule
part of the summit budget to have our finest
Tuners prepare thirty-three tenors for the
visitors - each engraved with the head of
state’s name to personalize the gift. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 29, 2009
When Steel Talks
Andy Akiho &
Friends to Unveil “Synesthesia Suite”
Works
for Steel Pan with jazz combo and chamber
orchestra
New
York,
USA - Musician,
performer, composer and educator Andy Akiho does
not rest when it comes to the thrill of his life
- music. Well-versed on chamber and
conventional
orchestra instruments, he has a
special passion for his primary instrument - the
steel pan.
Akiho incorporates
the steel pan into many of his compositions for
Contemporary Classical Music, fusing the unique
timbres of the pan with traditional western
instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, etc.).
....And it
is that
inspiration,
determination
and talent
that will be
front and
center two
days from
now, when
Andy Akiho
presents his
final show -
“Synesthesia,”
(with music
by Akiho) -
at Manhattan
School of
Music's
Borden
Auditorium,
New York -
featuring
steel pans,
jazz combo
and chamber
orchestra.
Showtime is
7:30 p.m.
and this
unique
musical
event is
free and
open to the
public. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 29, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
South
steelband captures major pan title
Trinidad
& Tobago, W.I.
- Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of
Community Development, Culture and Gender
Affairs, Junia Regrello, said it has been 34
years since a south steelband has captured a
major pan title.
The TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Orchestra, led by
Regrello, sailed into the finals of Pan in the
21st Century on April 17 and won the challenge
from a field of 12 bands.
....Speaking at a thanks-giving and appreciation
function held at the bands home base on Coffee
Street in San Fernando, Regrello said it was a
group of young of people who formed the stage
aggregation. He added that their determination
and discipline attributed to their victory at
the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. The
band performed sixth on final night, with the
song made popular by Ray Charles, Georgia on my
Mind, arranged by Keith Salcedo who was chalking
up his second win in his competition; the first
being with Witco Desperadoes. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday April 28, 2009
St. Thomas Source
Pre-Teen
Tramp Sets Stage for Parades to Come
St.
Thomas, V.I. - With
dozens of steel pans ringing and the Rising
Stars' trolley bouncing the wrong way down Main
Street, talented island youth knocked Carnival
up a notch Tuesday with the Pre-Teen Tramp.
The youngsters set the stage for
the elders' venue, the traditional Seniors'
Quelbe Tramp, which later gathered like a storm
at Rothschild Francis "Market" Square and then
rolled out down Main Street to Tolbod Gade at
the edge of Emancipation Gardens Park.
....The sunset tramp Tuesday gave
the Rising Stars another chance to show their
stuff after their performance Sunday at
Steelband Jamboree. The drummers carefully tuned
up on General Gade across from the old Bank of
St. Thomas building as elementary and middle
school students filled Market Square at around 6
p.m. island time. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday April 28, 2009
When Steel Talks
NIU Steelband
taking
‘Pan on the Internet’
to New Levels
Illinois,
USA - This past
weekend while members of When Steel Talks (WST)
took in the NBA broadcast on cable television,
we were equally pleased to tune into the
internet broadcast of NIU (Northern Illinois
University) Steelband’s annual Spring concert on
Sunday.
The steelband music event was
great as it was led by NIU’s Assistant Professor
of Steel Pan Liam Teague, also co-director of
the institution’s steel orchestra. The music
presented for the evening showed off the
versatility and skill set of the band as they
performed a wide variety of songs over the
approximately ninety-minute, two-set
performance.
The overall quality of the
internet stream was quite good. It was far
superior to the internet audio and video
broadcast streams we have come to expect for
steelpan music events experienced through this
medium. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday April 27, 2009
When Steel Talks
Inside Out Steelband Festival featuring
Leon “Foster” Thomas
Texas,
USA - The 12th annual Inside Out Steelband Festival
featured Leon “Foster” Thomas performing his original music
last week at the One World Theatre in Austin, Texas.
This event showcased steelbands from McCallum High School,
Covington Middle School, and Bowie High School alongside a
world-renowned steel drum performer. Previous years have
featured Ray Holman, Liam Teague, Tom Miller, Ras Iginga,
and Andy Narell.
click for
more
Web
Posted -
Monday April 27, 2009
The Virgin Islands Daily News
Steelband Jamboree has
packed stadium rocking
St. Thomas,
V.I.
-
Music,
melody and beat filled Lionel Roberts Stadium on Sunday
night as talented students wowed St. Thomas at the 2009
Carnival Steelband Jamboree.
Families and friends packed the stadium and they danced,
clapped their hands and stamped their feet to the beat
of hundreds of steelpans.
E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School principal Lydia
Simmonds-Lettsome beamed a big smile as her students -
the Steel Owls - belt out impressive tunes.
The students all sported cool black shades and showcased
their talent and dedication to the steelpan art form.
"They're doing a wonderful job," she said.
A proud mom, Julie Todman, said her children - Kalil and
Myles - were fantastic and that all the performers put
in a lot of effort in practicing for the event.
Joining the Steel Owls on Sunday night were a host of
other performers, including Joseph Gomez Pan Busters,
Antilles Hurricanes, Kirwan Terrace West Stars, Joseph
Sibilly Sun Rays, Love City Pan Dragons, Ulla Muller
Panatics, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers, Eudora
Kean Devil Rays, Charlotte Amalie High School Mello
Hawks, St. Thomas All Stars, Phoenix Sounds and V.I.
Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra. click for
more
Web
Posted -
Monday April 27, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
The Boss is
not Happy
Trinidad
and Tobago
- Pan
Trinbago
president
Patrick
Arnold said,
“It was
quite
disappointing
that persons
were placed
there
(Friday’s
opening
ceremony) to
mimic
steelband.
“Can you
imagine in
the land
where
steelband
was invented
a live
steelband
could not be
seen or
heard? “This
cultural
ceremony was
meant to
expose T&T
to the world
at the
opening of
the Fifth
Summit of
the
Americas.
“Steelband
pioneers
like Victor
“Toty”
Wilson,
Winston
“Spree”
Simon and
Oscar
“Bogart”
Pile must be
somersaulting
in their
graves.
“It is
important
too, that
respected
and
responsible
steelbandsmen
who
participated
in this act
must be
careful with
the false
values their
services are
hired for.
“T&T,”
Arnold said,
“cannot be
compared
with Brazil
and several
other
carnival
nations
where
costuming is
concerned,
yet we make
a cultural
presentation
to the world
with 90 per
cent
Carnival
costumes…
and not a
live
steelband.
“Whoever is
responsible
for this
mimicry of
steelband
must give
Pan Trinbago
an
explanation
for this
insult,” the
pan boss
said.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday April 25,
2009
Trinidad Express
Tobago jazz
in the dark
...power outages fail to dampen spirits
Montgomery,
Tobago, W.I. - A power outage in the area failed to
halt the performances at the Pan Jazz in the Yard concert at
the Redemption Sound Setters Pan Theatre, Montgomery,
Tobago, on Thursday.
Presented by Pan Trinbago as part of the Tobago Jazz
Festival taking place over the weekend, the show featured
performances by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Rudy "Two Left" Smith,
Mavis John, John Arnold and the Invaders Steel Orchestra.
Initially, power in the food stall, bar and concessions area
failed, plunging those areas into darkness while the stage
audio and lighting continued to work well because of an
additional power supply. Power was restored by intermission,
but just as the show was about to restart, the entire area
except for the stage was plunged into darkness. click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday April 24,
2009
When Steel Talks
Maryland’s
Pan Masters
Steelband Organization hosts
11th Annual Pan Jamboree
Maryland,
USA - If you’re looking for a ‘Pantastic’ way to
celebrate the Memorial weekend this year, then saddle up and
head to Pan Masters Steel Orchestra’s 11th annual Pan
Jamboree, coming off on Sunday May 24 in North Brentwood,
Maryland.
Known for putting on fabulous
steelband shows several times a year, the 2009 edition of
their jamboree again features an exciting line up of some of
the finest steelbands on the east coast, including Pan
Masters themselves. Joining them will be area steel
orchestras St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra, Pan
Majestic Youth Academy Steel Orchestra, Positive Vibrations
Youth Steel Orchestra, DC Pan Jammers Steel Orchestra, along
with reigning New York Panorama champions ADLIB Steel
Orchestra. click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday April 24,
2009
Trinidad
Guardian
Young tuners
to take on the world
Trinidad,
W.I. - Pan is in good hands. Thanks to Barry Yeates
and George Kallicharan (Yo Yo) of the Pan Training School,
Pan Development Unlimited (PDU), conducted at Belmont
Secondary School, founded in 1976. The vision of this school
is not to be taken lightly, and the work of delivering to
the world of pan, tuners who will carry the flag of T&T must
be encouraged. Some sponsors have already come aboard,
including Bptt, Berger Paints, Guardian Life, National
Petroleum (NP) and Standard Distributors Limited. While we
bump our gums and bawl “pan is we ting,” inventions and
discoveries are being made in the wider world. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 23,
2009
Arizona Daily Star
They’re steeled
for a good time
Arizona,
USA - The sound of steel drums echoed Friday
throughout Catalina Foothills High School during the second
annual “Field of Steel” event.
The event brings together six steel drum bands and about 300
students from local schools, from elementary through
university level.
Some proceeds from concessions and donations benefited the
Girl Power 2 Cure organization, which focuses on Rett
syndrome, a neurological disorder that mainly affects girls. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 22,
2009
When Steel Talks
Co-director of NIU Steelband Selected for Award
Illinois,
USA - Trinidadian-born Clifford Alexis - staff member
at Northern Illinois University (NIU) - has been selected to
receive an ‘Outstanding Service Award for Staff’ for the
year 2009.
He has been employed with NIU
for the past 22 years and at present, is the co-director of
the NIU steelband together with Liam Teague. In
addition to co-directing the steelband, Clifford has been
involved in composing and arranging music for the NIU
steelband and other orchestras within the US.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday April 20,
2009
When Steel Talks
Steelband arranger and guitarist Scipio Sargeant passes away
New
York -
Steelband
arranger and
guitarist
Scipio
Sargeant
passed away
earlier
today.
Scipio
“Skip” or
“Sarge” Sargeant was
born in
Trinidad. At
an early age
he
distinguished
himself as
one of the
top
musicians in
his home
country. As
co-arranger
for Despers
USA,
Sargeant won
a record
five of the
orchestra’s
six
consecutive
New York
Panorama
Championships
from
1993–1998.
When Steel
Talks
extends
condolences
to the
family of
Scipio
Sargeant..
click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday April 19,
2009
When Steel Talks
MIT Welcomes
Pantonic Steel Orchestra
Massachusetts,
USA
-
This
past weekend the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) held
its annual ’Campus Preview Weekend (CPW). This is the annual 4-day weekend when
high school seniors who have been admitted to MIT come to campus to visit and
see what the school has to offer in every possible area of college life. And
once again the steelpan instrument became a significant part of this landscape
as hundreds of students, parents and faculty became fixated on Pantonic Steel
Orchestra as they performed their varied repertoire in two sets on this
beautiful Spring day in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This was
Pantonic Steel Orchestra’s fourth consecutive year performing at the event
officially known as “The 4th Annual CPW Steel Pan Jamboree,” and the band’s
fifth appearance in as many years. Indeed the New York-based orchestra’s
performance has become a fixture and much-anticipated part of the event, and
campus life.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday April 17,
2009
Recorder Online
Beating of
drums -
a new kind of concert
Iowa,
USA
-
Students at
Elma Elementary Charter School are busy preparing for a Pans Concert to be held
Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the school gym. The public is invited to attend
the free concert.
Second through sixth grade students are being directed by Mrs. Barb Holstrom and
Mrs. Polly Jones. There will be 26 drums (pans) being played - two bass, two
cello, three double seconds and three leads in the large pans and 16 pans in the
key of C Major. There are 41 students participating in the required course.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 16,
2009
When Steel Talks
Skiffle Bunch
does Southland Proud winning
Pan In The 21st Century 2009
Trinidad
-
Skiffle
Bunch Steel Orchestra did the Southland in Trinidad proud on a beautiful April
15 evening when they performed Georgia On My Mind as their tune of choice
for the ‘Pan In The 21st Century’ competition. The band retained the
lead position gained coming out of the semis to capture first place. With 284
points, they beat out rivals and crowd pleaser Silver Stars (2009 Trinidad &
Tobago Panorama champions) by one point for the top prize of TT $65,000.
Silver Stars
was playing Bohemian Rhapsody by rock band Queen when they ceded the
coveted top spot.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 15,
2009
When Steel Talks
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 15,
2009
When Steel Talks
Andy Narell and Relator
bring Jazz and Vintage Calypso together
New
York-
‘University of Calypso’ the CD, with Panist Andy Narell and Calypsonian Lord
Relator - is coming soon! Release date is set for the third week in June
2009. Also look out for the exclusive WST interview. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday April 14,
2009
Trinidad Guardian
Mixed views over Silver Stars song
Pan in the 21st Century...
Trinidad
-
Well played.
That’s the public’s response to Silver Stars Steel Orchestra’s delivery of
Bohemian Rhapsody on Friday’s installment of panyard judging for the Pan
Trinbago staged, TSTT-sponsored Pan In the 21st Century competition. The 70s
song, an original by British rock band Queen, was adapted for the band by
resident arranger/leader Edwin Pouchet. But the sheer delight the band evoked
among fans during its competition presentation before the panel of music
adjudicators at its Tragarete Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain headquarters, did not
grip some onlookers.
They expressed scepticism over the band’s tune-of-choice. They were grumbling
because “the band was again playing a classical selection” which is not allowed
according to the rules governing the contest. “It’s not a classical song,”
Pouchet said, smiling. “It is a classic.” A similar charge was levelled against
Silver Stars back in 2007 when the band played Phantom of the Opera, taken from
the music bible of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The band won the competition that year. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday April 14,
2009
Trinidad Guardian
Sweet sound of pan fills South
Trinidad
-
South Trinidad came alive with
steelpan music on April 6 as seven conventional bands faced the judges for the
Pan in the 21st Century event. The event, organised by Pan Trinbago and TSTT,
saw large crowds of pan enthusiasts flocking to their favourite yard to hear
their band of choice. First to perform for the judges around 6 pm were the
members of the Pleasantville-based Kalomo Kings, which, under the leadership of
Matthew Roach, performed Marvin Gaye’s popular hit, What’s Going On.
Panasonic Connection and the Old Tech Steel Orchestra were next on the judges’
stop and Panasonic’s leader Clyde Byron led his band through its performance of
Morning Dance while Old Tech’s upbeat performance of Sean Paul and Keysha Cole’s
Give It Up had heads nodding. Then it was off to NLCB Fonclaire’s Dottin Street,
San Fernando panyard where Milton Austin and his pannists delivered a stellar
performance of Evelyn King’s Shame. As a maxi taxi ferried the judges and other
Pan Trinbago officials to the various judging points, many people opted to
follow them in their own private vehicles so that they could judge for
themselves which panside sounded the best. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday April 13,
2009
When Steel Talks
400 Questions &
Answers On Pan
1960 — Present
New
York-
“400
Questions & Answers On Pan” is a rich resource that connects the threads
between the history and accomplishments of the steelpan movement and its people.
Often, many
of us wistfully wonder out loud “if only I had the time to” or “if someone only
would or could do” this or that - all would be right in the world, or at least
it would be a major contribution to wellness of man. Well, in the genre of the
steelpan music instrument Ian Franklin put “ifs” aside, and has accomplished
just that with his latest publication “400 Questions & Answers On Pan.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday April 12,
2009
The Jamaica Gleaner
David Aarons,
the complete pannist
Jamaica,
W.I. - ....His interest in music turned to devotion
when he discovered the steel pan and it continued to grow until February 2005,
when he made a momentous decision - music would be his career. His life then
began snowballing.
Aarons now has a first-class honours bachelor's degree in
musical arts (the steel pan being his primary instrument) from the University of
the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; is an experienced
performer, having played in several leading steel bands during the three years
he lived in Trinidad as well as with steel bands in Jamaica; is now a lecturer
in steel pan music at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing
Arts; and, additionally, makes and tunes pans for various steel bands in
Jamaica.
He also composes music for the steel pan. His work, Likkle
Dancehall Fugue in D Minor, was one of the more enjoyable items played at the
UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra at last month's recital, The Art of Steel, at the
Philip Sherlock Centre for the Performing Arts, UWI, Mona. click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday April 12,
2009
AfriClassical
Steel Band Performs Music of Eleanor Alberga, Leo Brouwer & Ludovic Lamothe in Jamaica
Jamaica,
W.I. - Eleanor Alberga has established herself in
the mainstream of British contemporary music and enjoys an international
reputation as a composer. Her music has been performed by many leading
orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Bournemouth
Sinfonietta, London Mozart Players and the Women’s Philharmonic of San
Francisco, and worldwide performances include Australia, South America, Canada,
Europe and China. She was the first composer to be commissioned for the
inaugural Festival of Women in Music.
She was also invited to participate in the prestigious Composer to Composer
Festival in Colorado, USA, and was a featured composer at the Vale of Glamorgan
Festival. 2001 was a turning point, as she chose to give up her career as
concert pianist and concentrate full-time on composition. She completed her
violin concerto and was awarded a NESTA Fellowship. This major award enables
Alberga to further develop and experiment with her compositional techniques and
ideas. click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday April 12,
2009
Hudsonhubtimes.com
Classical, Caribbean
meet steel
Ohio, USA - Caribbean, jazz and classical music
will mix this spring when The University of Akron Steel Drum Band performs April
18, 8 p.m., at E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., on the UA campus.
A big-screen "pan cam" -- a popular feature of the band's annual spring concerts
-- will put the audience in the middle of the vibrant sights and sounds.
This year's guest artist is pan virtuoso Andy Narell, who has played and
recorded with artists as diverse as Chucho Valdes, Bela Fleck, Toto, Nancy
Wilson, David Rudder, Tito Puente, and the Kronos String Quartet. His
compositions have been featured in the film The Firm and in such television
shows as Designing Women and Going to Extremes, as well as in commercials for
Apple computers, Sony, Porsche, and Southwest Bell.
click for more
Web Posted -
Saturday April 11,
2009
T & T Review
Judging the
Judges
Pan Community Speaks Out
Trinidad & Tobago - One of
the practices that really irked me was the awarding of .5 of a point by some
judges. As you will see, there are a few judges who, for no apparent reason
awarded a band .5 of a point in a couple of areas. When I say that there was no
reason for the .5 of a point I mean that there was no explanation or
justification for the .5 of a point. In a number of cases the .5 occurred under
the criterion of “Tone.” I had score sheets from seven bands in the large band
category, and after separating the score sheets by a judge’s name, there was one
judge who gave every band listened to 4.5 for “Blending of pans/Consistency” and
4.5 for “Rich quality of sound”.
Tone has always been part of the criteria for the judges to use when
adjudicating Panorama, but for 1993, the description was modified. When judging
that criterion, the intent was to have the judge listen to the overall tuning of
a band, and unless the ear perceived some real bad tuning/blending, the band
should get ten (10) points. So when these judges give a band 4.5 for “blending
of pans/consistency”, and 4.5 for “rich quality of sound” I am baffled as to how
they are able to discern that the tuning and/or blending of over a hundred
instruments is off by .5 of a point. They cannot be human. Each large band has
between 25 - 30 lead or tenor pans, and given the fact that each band had to
have a maximum of 100 players for this year’s semis and finals, this leaves 70 -
75 players playing more than a single pan. So the real number of instruments in
an orchestra is probably more like 250 - 300, and it is just impossible to
ascertain that the tuning or blending of all these percussion instruments is off
by .5 of a point.
Here are the actual score sheets of two judges who awarded 4.5 each under the
overall heading of Tone and their comments from the semis. The score is on the
left and their comments on the right. Some of the writing was not legible, and I
solicited my friend to assist me with deciphering some of the handwriting.
Whenever we were unsuccessful, the writing we could not understand is indicated
by question marks (????) click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday April 10,
2009
The
Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Singer Ruby Wood and musician Noah Burton on UK tour
United Kingdom - Born to
jazz-loving parents, Ruby’s early music experience was as a seven-year-old
member of the North Stars Steel Orchestra in Huddersfield.
She played steel pan at the Notting Hill Carnival in London and went with the
North Stars on a UK tour with jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins, taking in sellouts
at Brecon and Cheltenham jazz festivals.
“We are just starting out as full-time musicians and in this credit crunch
atmosphere, we are finding that many promoters are plying it safe by only
booking established names,”said Ruby.
“So it is a real thrill to get this chance to play full houses with some top
acts. We’ll learn a lot and have a great time.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday April 10,
2009
Tobago News
Value of the
steel pan
Tobago, W.I. - The
scenario which yours truly is about to paint is applicable to every community in
Trinidad and Tobago which has a steelband. One of our major cultural failures as
an independent nation has been the lack of appreciation from the authorities to
recognise the value of the steel pan instrument.
As thousands of other citizens I was fortunate to grow up in a community where
the steel band is an integral part of community life. In the Calder
Hall/Bagatelle/Fort King George area, there were a number of steel bands such as
Symphony Stars, Elite, Rhythm Tigers, Our Boys and City Kids. However, it is Our
Boys which has survived the test of time.
At present, this band stands a monument of success not so much in material
achievement but more so in the contribution it has made to human development.
Even though the band's founder Patrick Arnold is the long serving head of the
national steel band movement and has instituted progressive measures to help the
bands and individual pannists, it is work with Our Boys which may well turn out
to be his greatest legacy. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 9,
2009
The Mountain Times Online
Up to Scales
Steel
drum act Jonathan Scales Fourchestra returns
to Boone April 16
North
Carolina, USA-
Taking an authentic Caribbean instrument and turning it into a jazz instrument,
Ashville-based Jonathan Scales of Jonathan Scales Fourchestra manipulates the
sound of his steel drum, creating a distinct resonance that adds a refreshing
vibe to the jazz scene.
His sound is a mixture of Bela Fleck with Harry Belafonte
and a splash of Pat Metheny. Mimicking their biggest influence, Bela Fleck and
the Flecktones, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra managed to use the steel drum
instead of the banjo as their forward instrument while leaning on guitar to
provide the rhythm and chord progression.
“He (Bela Fleck) takes the banjo out of its normal
settings and does cool stuff with it,” Scales said. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 9,
2009
HighLite Vibes Chatter
Kim Loy Wong
-
A Life in Pan
New York - Kim Loy Wong
grew up on Observatory Street, in the heart of Port of Spain, Trinidad. His
parents—Henry Nicholas Wong Wing, a shop owner, and Linda Prudhumme— had 13
children.
When he began to play pan in the late 1940s there were only two notes on the
steelpan. The steelband in the neighborhood was Bar 20, located on Bart Street.
Pops was the captain. Zigilee, Squibo and Bitter Man were some members. Kim Loy
would watch them play but yearned to do so himself.
When the late Rudy King formed a steelband for young people called East Side
Kids, Kim Loy would run away to play with the band, much to the chagrin of his
father. “I got a lot of licks for playing pan,” offered Kim Loy. “My parents did
not want me to be a part of that.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 8,
2009
When Steel Talks
Lebanon-
Double second steelpan
musician Shawn Thwaites and his wife vocalist Sabreen
Thwaites have been away from US shores since December
2008. The talented duo has been delighting
audiences as they already have back home, but this time
around while touring Lebanon.
Their main performances have been
delivered in the cabaret-style setting of the “Music Hall” - one of the biggest
and best known venues located in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
Interestingly, Sabreen herself previously graced that stage back in 2008, but as
part of the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir. In celebration of Women’s
month in March, the Thwaites also performed for the United States Ambassador to
Lebanon, Michele J. Sison, at the US Embassy in Beirut. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 8,
2009
Trinidad Guardian
Japanese
taking pan
to new heights
Trinidad,
W.I. - The first time Japan-born Yoichi Watanabe
visited Trinidad in 1990, he fell in love with the sweet melodious sounds of the
steelpan. Since then, the foreigner has been working assiduously to help give
our country’s national instrument the recognition it deserves. This year,
Watanabe recorded the entire National Panorama competition with the hopes of
showcasing it to his homeland and eventually, the rest of the world.
....“After I was introduced to pan, my whole perspective of music changed. I
used to record mainly American music, like hip-hop, but when I heard the pan, I
loved it,” he says, in a thick Japanese accent. While in Brooklyn, Watanabe also
got a taste of Carnival. Describing the experience as a “culture shock,” a
fascinated Watanabe devoted his life to learning more about Trinidad and the
instrument made of steel. click for more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 8,
2009
News-Sun
Sankar named
outstanding soloist
Florida - Gopaul Sankar, a sophomore at Walker
Memorial Academy, was awarded an outstanding soloist trophy at the annual Music
U.S.A. Festival at Universal Studio Orlando.
Only five soloists were singled out for this honor.
Sankar played the tenor steel drum at the music festival. At the academy, he has
participated not only in the Fire 'n Steel Drum Band, but also the bell choir,
concert choir, brass ensemble and is first chair trumpet player in the concert
band.
Gopaul is the son of Kamaldai Sankar and Dr. Deo Sankar of Sebring. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 8,
2009
Telegraph.co.uk
Billy Ocean interview
United Kingdom -
“....I’ve still played in my steel
pan band at the Notting Hill Carnival every year, but among 60 other players
where it’s nice not to be the star.”
Now the kids are all grown up, Ocean has built himself an idyllic studio in
Grenada where his father was born. And it was here he recorded the new album
“Because I Love You”. “I can sing overlooking the turquoise sea,” he says, “then
go out for a swim and go into the village for a couple of pints of cold Guinness
then go back to work.” Nice work if you can get it, I say. He laughs. “I hope
you can hear the sunny, laid back mood on the record.” You can. Rippling with
steel drums, beach beats and oozing with the synths and saxs, it will certainly
warm the nostalgic hearts of those with a soft spot for 80s soul - for
funk-tinged ballads in praise of “my lady”. “I just hope it makes people happy,”
smiles Ocean, “That’s what it’s all about.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 8,
2009
BYU NewsNet
Shake it up with percussion groups, piece by piece
Utah, USA - As opposed to the Percussion Ensemble, music
majors only compose about half of the talent in Panoramic Steel. While it is
necessary to have an ability to read music and understand rhythm to be in the
group, it is not necessary to have any prior experience with steel drums.
Brough said that, contrary to popular belief, the steel drums didn’t come from
Jamaica but from a nearby island called Trinidad, and the music the steel band
plays is not reggae but a style called calypso.
Mike Center, a recent member of Panoramic Steel and a biology major, said most
people think the music is laid-back and “island-y” but that they’re in for a
surprise.
“I like how unique it is; it’s music you won’t hear anywhere else,” Center said.
“It has a rich cultural background. It was played by a people who were in
slavery and had nothing else to play but the steel drum. We get to keep this
heritage alive through playing it.” click for
more
Web Posted --
Tuesday April 7,
2009
Trinidad Express
Dancing
to his own beat
Trinidad,
W.I. - Noel La Pierre was born to play pan. The
child who grew up with the sound of steel ringing in his ears has forged a
career out of doing what he loves best, he tells Nazma Muller.
When he was just four years old, Noel La Pierre was
walking down Tragarete Road with his grandmother and his mother. As they came
within earshot of the music being played in a panyard, the little boy took off.
He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. When his granny and mother caught up
with him in the panyard, he was behind a four-pan trying to beat out a tune. By
the time he was 11, the boy was able to learn to play three songs on the tenor
pan in one night at Invaders panyard. “This is all I ever wanted to do,” says La
Pierre, now 45. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday April 7,
2009
The Berkeley Independent
Steel drums
beat
in teacher’s heart
South
Carolina, USA-
The sounds of the Carribean Islands are thriving in the Berkeley County School
District – and have been for some time.
People who have heard music teacher Linda Versprille’s students go through their
paces on Trinidad Steel Pan drums – at Piccolo Spoleto, on television, and most
recently, during African American Heritage Days at North Charleston’s Wannamaker
Park – most likely enjoyed themselves, but may not have realized just how unique
her program is.
Trinidad Steel Drums are not just a novelty of the islands, reminiscent of
cruise ships and Jimmy Buffett concerts. In fact, steel drums are not just
another genre, they’re an emerging musical technology; the steel drum is the
only acoustic musical instrument to develop in the last 150 years, Versprille
said. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday April 6,
2009
When Steel Talks
The Journey of Jamma & Trinidad Carnival
2009 featuring: Desperadoes - ‘The Finest
Steel Orchestra in the world’
United
Kingdom- The
first time I saw Despers (the legendary Desperadoes Steel Orchestra hailing from
Laventille in Trinidad), I was with my brother Norman in 1981. They were
performing at the Birmingham Odeon, as part of their UK tour. The whole audience
was transfixed; we were amazed with the standard and sound of the music. The
famed pan musician Robert Greenidge gave a great performance with Taj Mahal.
This was the first time I had seen a steelpan soloist in action. This
performance changed my life. I knew there and then, that I would become a
professional steelpan solo performer. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday April 6,
2009
Together We Flourish
Steel Band
Festival Features Rolando Morales-Matos
Pennsylvania, USA -
World-class percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos will be the featured artist at
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s first Steel Band Festival this Monday,
April 6.
...Five regional steel bands are to perform at the 7:30
p.m. show. Morales-Matos will be a featured soloist throughout, and will lead
the bands in a grand finale performance of “St. Thomas.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday April 5,
2009
Trinidad Express
Pouchet,
Silver Stars shock 'em playing 'Bohemian
Rhapsody'
Trinidad,
W.I.- Arranger Edwin Pouchet and National Panorama
winner Silver Stars dared to be different as the preliminary round for the
annual Pan in the 21st Century continued on Friday night with conventional bands
in the northern region.
Pouchet shocked supporters and pan lovers alike with his arrangement of Rock
band Queen's Hall of Fame classic "Bohemian Rhapsody".
If nothing else the song was different from everything heard in the history of
the competition. Pouchet said it is time to start thinking outside of the box.
"If we continue with the same type of songs, R&B and Jazz, we will run out of
songs to play," he said. click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday April 4,
2009
When Steel Talks
Mia Gormandy
in Concert
Northern Illinois
University Panist Shines
Illinois,
USA - “The thing that has impressed me the most about Mia has been her
personality. In addition to her talent and work ethic, she is a wonderful person
to be around. When Mia first came to Northern Illinois University (NIU), she had
already gained a growing reputation as one of the best up and coming young
steelpan talents in Trinidad. Like any other young talent, she had a number of
areas that needed development and I think that she recognized that from early
and never got too caught up in the hype. Over the 4 years that she has been at
NIU I have seen her skills as a musician grow drastically. She has demonstrated
a great work ethic and has brought a lot of energy to the NIU Steelband.” click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday April 4,
2009
Trinidad Guardian
New factory
to give splash of colour to steelpan
Pan innovator
introduces
Kalypso Powder Koating
Trinidad, W.I. - A
fuschia powder-coated steelpan looked resplendent in the Nelson Mandela Room of
the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, yesterday. The steelpan was on display as
part of the official launch of music expert Junior Howell’s Kalypso Powder
Koating Colour Specialist factory in Laventille. Howell said the double tenor
was invented years ago on the same spot where he opened his factory a week ago,
at the Corner of William Street and Old St Joseph Road in Laventille.
Howell, president of the company, said he spent several years interacting with
Joey Golliver of Powder-X Coating Systems in Nashville, Tennessee, to develop
his new technique to add a splash of colour to steel pans and “to mix the visual
and performing arts.” Howell said colour coating was the next stage of evolution
in steelpan. “Colour does not affect the tone,” he stressed. He said, “Music is
a language, language is modality of human behaviour. “The colour expresses that
language. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 2,
2009
Jamaica Gleaner
‘Art’ music
from a steel band
Jamaica,
W.I. - Think steel band music and you think calypso and soca. That's true
of most people, most of the time.
But those two types of music are not the only ones that can be played by the
instruments created, originally, from oil drums. In the right hands, the steel
band may be a purveyor of "art music" - which is sometimes, and less accurately,
called "classical" music or, more judgementally, as "serious" music.
On Sunday night, the instruments of the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra were
definitely in the right hands, and the ensemble convincingly presented a recital
titled The Art of Steel: Caribbean Composers, Caribbean Instrument, Caribbean
Art, at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, at Mona. The "art" in
the title referred both to the type of music played, as well as the artistic
photography which accompanied and complemented the music. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 2,
2009
Clemson University Newroom
Percussion
Ensemble, Steel Band to play world music
and
TV theme songs
South
Carolina, USA - Clemson University’s Percussion
Ensemble and Steel Band will present a joint concert at 8 p.m. Friday, April 24,
at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.
Under the direction of Paul Buyer, the free concert will have a distinct
world-music flavor.
“We will perform pieces representing Brazil, West Africa, Ireland, Trinidad and
Tobago, and America,” he said.
...The Clemson University Steel Band will open its half of the program with the
calypso soca tune “Llava Tierra” and continue with “Summer Song,” a piece by
Cliff Alexis. A steel band arrangement of “Jump in the Line” follows.
“It’s a fun arrangement that the audience will enjoy,” said Buyer.
The band will show its true colors when it plays “Orange… the Color.”
“How could we not play this one?” said Buyer. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 2,
2009
Queens Chronicle
Paint, music
and more
at Magnet HS
New
York
- Students at the Campus Magnet High Schools in Cambria
Heights are brightening up the campus, filling the air with some good music and
practicing the business skills that can help them become entrepreneurs in the
future.
Members of the Paint Club in the Math, Science, Research
and Technology High School, known as MAST H.S., were sprucing up the hallways
one recent Saturday morning. Aided by Lisa Hamilton of the Public Color
organization, students from MAST and other schools, as well as the Habitat for
Humanity chapter at St. John’s University, have been painting after school and
on weekends.
Meanwhile Kevin Thom and other members of the Steel Pan
Band at Humanities and the Arts High School, have been practicing their sound on
Saturday mornings. The players are led by Music Director Travis Roberts of
CASYM, the Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday April 2,
2009
Trinidad Guardian
Despers for
Summit opening
Trinidad,
W.I. - As we move towards the Summit of the
Americas, word is Witco Desperadoes, T&T premier steel Orchestra is expected to
take centre-stage at the Opening Ceremony of the historic event. My spies tell
me the Desperadoes are hard at work under the baton of Pat Bishop. The “Boys
from the Hill,” the orchestra with the most national Panorama wins, and other
history-making victories in the sphere of pan, will deliver some new music for
the visiting leaders and their contingents. The Buzz hopes all safety procedures
(OSHA) are in place, because Despers are known for bringing the house down. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday April 1,
2009
newsdurhamregion.com
Beating out
peace
Pan Fantasy Steel Band plays at
Lester B.
Pearson school
Ontario, Canada
- In shamrock hats, sombreros and hockey jerseys, Lester
B. Pearson students got into the beat of celebrating multiculturalism.
The Ajax school welcomed the Pan Fantasy Steel Band recently to help wrap up its
cultural awareness and diversity campaign. Over the last two months, students
participated in anti-racism education and inclusion initiatives, and recognized
the school's commitment to multiculturalism.
"Today I'm just honoured to be here and share part of my culture with you," said
band member Wendy Jones, her brown hair streaked with a large front section of
blond. "I am from Trinidad, I was raised in Canada."
Part of her culture includes playing pan, something you can do no matter what
colour you are, she said, standing in front of the stage of big steel pan drums.
click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday March
27,
2009
When Steel Talks
When Steel Talks Steelband Music
Message Board is
Open
on the Ning Network
Some of the
most
important,
controversial,
thought-provoking
and
enlightening
discussions
on the
steelpan
instrument,
music and
culture
worldwide,
have taken
place over the
years on the
When Steel
Talks
“Message
board.”
Considered
by many to
be a
lightening-rod
for change
in the
steelpan
music
community,
the WST
message
board
has provided
a means
unlike any
for steelpan
enthusiasts
to share
information
and
communicate
ideas.
Windows MSN
Groups has
informed us
that they
are shutting
down their
groups
service as
of February
21, 2009.
You can now
find the
When Steel
Talks Group
at
http://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum
We look
forward to
you joining
us.
When
Steel Talks has set up a group on Facebook where
we can post more steelpan pictures, videos and events.
We would like to add you as a fan so you can expand
your steelpan music experience. First, you need
to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create
your own profile.
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